Stop negotiating against yourself. Give a time-based estimate and a scope-based alternative. Name the risk in one line. Keep it about outcomes, not effort. Call out the timezone math so two days is one and change.
Example email: Based on the current scope, the earliest delivery is next Wednesday. If we must hit Friday, I can deliver screens A and B with placeholder copy and move C to next sprint. Risk if we force full scope by Friday is rework and defects, which will push the following release. Please confirm which option you prefer so I can prioritize and notify stakeholders. Since I do not have client contact, can you relay this framing to them and loop me in on decisions?
Idk, I nudged after a 'final' and they found a small bump plus a sign-on. I kept it friendly: "You're my first choice, and I can sign today at 130 or with a 5k sign-on." Worst case they say no and you still look gracious.
