When You're Gone (Colette) novel Chapter 14

"Sir, I am looking for someone!" Frozen on the spot, James blurted out his thoughts as if he did not listen to what the Grim Reaper just said to him.

A long pause later, the Grim Reaper let out a sigh. "Colette Anderson is gone. You need to move on with your destiny."

The revelation struck James like lightning. Stunned, he wracked his brain to process the Grim Reaper's words.

"She's gone? What does that even mean, and why is she gone?" James stubbornly stood in front of the Grim Reaper, despite his vulnerability against the powerful being.

Finally, the Grim Reaper's chilling voice echoed in the space. "Colette Anderson struck a deal with me. She gave up her chance at reincarnation in exchange for seven more days with you to make up for her regrets. The seven days are up, and her soul is gone."

James' heart sank further with every word that came out of the Grim Reaper's mouth. He was devastated. Did Colette willingly allow her soul to vanish in exchange for seven more days with him?

The Grim Reaper watched as James paled. Suddenly, he waved and conjured a misty mirror out of thin air. Scenes from Colette's death played in the mirror.

When Colette was drawing her last breaths after getting stabbed, James, unaware of the emergency, hung up on her calls multiple times because he was taking care of a feverish Sophie.

Finally, it was Sophie who picked up the call when he wasn't looking, but she did not do that to help. She wanted to cut off Colette's last hope.

"Hey, Colette. What's the matter? James is too busy making soup for me to take your calls."

Even when he discovered Colette's low body temperature and nonexistent pulse, he immediately changed his mind when Sophie accused Colette of faking an illness. He noticed the utter disappointment in Colette's eyes when she apologized.

On Colette's last day, he agreed to have dinner with her, but he stood her up.

At first, he believed that everything could start anew if Colette gave up loving him. Now, he realized he was an idiot for letting his loved one vanish from the earth with regrets.

Colette must have been terrified when she took her last breath. He hung up on her when she asked for help. Despite his behavior, she still made a huge sacrifice just to be with him a little longer.