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FORTY-FIVE

Author: Cosmix
last update Last Updated: 2025-02-12 00:09:45

Reigna

While Carlisle and I are in the middle of…erm, kissing, we heard a little voice that made me push him away.

“No!

I barely had time to react before he ran into the room, his tiny arms wrapping around my waist, clinging onto me as if I’d disappear if he let go. His small fingers dug into the fabric of my dress, holding on for dear life, his tiny chest heaving from holding back sobs.

"Mommy don’t leave! You and Dada have to get married so no one will be mean to you!" he wailed, pressing his face into my stomach.

The weight of his words hit me like a brick wall.

Married?

Carlisle and I—?

I looked up, my breath shallow, my eyes locking onto Carlisle’s. He looked just as stunned, his entire body rigid, his hands clenching and unclenching at his sides as if he wasn’t sure what to do. His lips parted slightly, as if he wanted to say something, but no words came out.

I crouched down slowly, my hands shaking as I cupped Erwin’s chubby cheeks, forcing him to look at me. His big, teary eye
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  • Seven Minutes in Heaven   FORTY-SIX

    ReignaThe best way to counter public announcements are through public announcement—where? In the charity event where Carlisle Amoroso is a prominent name.Carlisle had made it clear before we arrived.“This will be good for you,” he had said, adjusting his cufflinks before stepping out of the car. “We clarify your role, fix your image, and this scandal dies. You’ll only be seen as my secretary. A close friend, at most.”“Yes,” I breathed, trying to condition myself as I close and opened my fists.Taking my hand, I watched him kiss my knuckles. “Whatever I’ll say outside, don’t believe it.” he spoke, intertwining his fingers with mine. “Do you understand, princess?”***The grand ballroom of the Green Dale Foundation Charity Gala was nothing short of breathtaking. Golden chandeliers hung from the high ceiling, casting a soft, luxurious glow over the sea of high-profile guests dressed in their finest attire.The rich and powerful were all gathered here, their laughter a polished melody

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  • Seven Minutes in Heaven   FORTY-SEVEN

    CarlisleReigna looked uncomfortable being talked to with the private journalists that received invitations to attend tonight’s gala. If things weren’t as they were, she should’ve been beside me—yet there she is, carrying the glasses of water she fetched for us, stuck with a reporter.“She’s quite a doll, isn’t she?” A long-time business partner asked.“Indeed. She looks just like her grandmother, Adelaide. I can recall attending all the fashion week with my wife just to see her.” a fellow businessman, far more veteran than I, spoke, grating my nerves upon how sensualizing it sounded. “If only she took modelling too, no?”I wanted to reply or punch them in the face—but tonight, I can’t. Not as her boss.The Green Dale Foundation Charity Gala was designed for the elite. A night where power met influence, where money dictated alliances, and where the press lingered at the edges, waiting to sink their claws into any slip of scandal.This year, I was the scandal.The moment I entered the

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  • Seven Minutes in Heaven   FORTY-EIGHT

    ReignaThe ride home was silent.Carlisle’s hands gripped the steering wheel, his knuckles white, his jaw locked in tension. The glow of the city lights flickered across his face, casting sharp shadows over the unreadable expression he wore. He hadn’t said a word since we left the gala, and I wasn’t sure if I was relieved or frustrated by it.I turned my head, staring out the window, watching the blurred streets pass by. My reflection in the glass looked just as lost as I felt. Tonight was supposed to fix things. To prove that the rumors were nothing more than fabricated noise.But instead, Carlisle had played his part so well—cold, distant, dismissive—that I almost believed it myself.And yet…Twenty million.A man like Carlisle Amoroso didn’t throw that kind of money away unless he had something to prove. But what? To whom?To Violet?To the press?To himself?I swallowed hard, fingers curling into the fabric of my dress. I hated this. This uncertainty. The way my heart twisted at th

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  • Seven Minutes in Heaven   FORTY-NINE

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  • Seven Minutes in Heaven   FIFTY

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  • Seven Minutes in Heaven   FIFTY-ONE

    Reigna“Mommy, don’t go to work.” Erwin begged with puppy eyes.“He’s right, princess. Just stay at home.” Carlisle stubbornly agreed, for the first time in sync with our son.Seeing that they’re worried for me after the news broke out and the scandal spread like wildfire, they both kept on persuading me to stay at home—sure, the posts and articles are all gone, but the public won’t let such an issue go that easily,No matter how much money Carlisle threw at the problem, no matter how many teams worked tirelessly behind the scenes to erase every last trace of the scandal, the damage had already been done.“I’m going to be okay.” Said, shutting their worries off for the nth time.“But mommy, dada won’t tell you not to go if it’s really safe.” Even with his innocence, Erwin grew up under Carlisle’s protection, so his mind completely understands that I am in deep trouble, despite not knowing what causes it.“I’m going to be okay, sweetheart.” I smiled. “Your dada is with me.”***The ne

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  • Seven Minutes in Heaven   FIFTY-TWO

    Reigna“Princess, let me do it myself.”“No.” Stubborn, I kept the files close to my chest, preventing him to taking it. “This is my job, Carlisle. Besides, it’s just photocopying this and giving it to the Sales department. How bad could it be?” I smiled.He stared at me, then heaved a deep breath before tucking a few strands of my hair at the back of my ear. “They will definitely make you uncomfortable outside. You’re just too stubborn to listen to me.”“I know you worry, but you don’t have to do everything yourself.” I leaned to his touch as his hand lingered on my cheek. “You keep on convincing me to not go to work, or keep on insisting for me to do nothing and stay in your office all day. That’s not what a boss should do, silly.”Defeated, he pulled away. “If anyone offends you, remember their names and report it to me.”I can’t help but chuckle. “Okay.” I lied, then I kissed his cheek to catch him off-guard so I could quickly slip away and leave his office, ready to start my day

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  • Seven Minutes in Heaven   FIFTY-THREE

    Carlisle“No, Carlisle. I don’t know a thing.”She took a breath, clearly trying to stay calm, but I could see the flicker of something—guilt? No. Frustration. She was frustrated with me."Do you hear yourself right now?" she snapped, her brows knitting together. "You’re acting like I asked for this. Like I actually wanted him to come here and—""And what?" I cut in, stepping even closer, until she had to tilt her head back to keep looking at me. "Confess his lingering feelings? Pretend he gives a damn now that I’m the one standing beside you?"Her lips parted slightly, her breathing uneven. "That’s not what happened.""Then tell me, princess," I pressed, voice low, "what did happen?"She glared at me, her fingers curling into fists at her sides. "You don’t get to be mad at me for this," she said, voice quieter but firm. "I don’t control who shows up in my life. I don’t dictate who decides to crawl out of the past and suddenly act like they care."I exhaled sharply, dragging a hand do

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  • Seven Minutes in Heaven   SIXTY-NINE

    ReignaThe heat of the midday sun bore down on my skin, but I felt nothing but the ice curling around my veins, spreading like poison. The murmurs grew, swelling like a tidal wave, each whispered accusation crashing against me, pressing me down until I could barely breathe.“She actually pushed her…”“I always knew something was off about her.”“This is exactly why people like her don’t belong here.”No. No, no, no.I clenched my fists so tightly that my nails bit into my palms, my breaths coming in short, uneven gasps. My entire body trembled—not with fear, not with guilt, but with the suffocating, helpless frustration of knowing that nothing I said would matter.Because they had already made up their minds.Jonathan Devereaux, standing like some self-appointed judge, let out a disappointed sigh, shaking his head."Harrington has been nothing but gracious to you, and this is how you choose to repay her?" His voice was coated with condescension, as if he were disappointed in me, as if

  • Seven Minutes in Heaven   SIXTY-EIGHT

    Reigna“I shouldn’t have drunk all that last night.” I sighed, not remembering a thing from last night,Carlisle had left early for a meeting, leaving me to navigate the battlefield alone. I was accustomed to the treatment by now—the sidelong glances, the backhanded comments disguised as politeness. But today, it was worse.Because today, I was expected to be silent.The air was thick with the scent of expensive perfume and saltwater as I made my way toward the poolside lounge. Guests were scattered across the area—some reclined on plush sunbeds, others gathered in small groups beneath the canopy, engaged in conversations I had no part in.And at the center of it all, Violet.She was draped effortlessly on a chaise lounge, a delicate flute of champagne resting between her fingers. Dressed in an elegant ivory wrap dress, she looked like she belonged here, like she was the centerpiece of the entire world.And, in many ways, she was.Her soft laughter carried across the terrace as she c

  • Seven Minutes in Heaven   SIXTY-SEVEN

    CarlisleShe stumbled out of the elevator, her bare feet padding against the plush carpet, the soft giggle that left her lips laced with both defiance and exhaustion.I should have let her go. Should have let her retreat into whatever messy, alcohol-induced thoughts were swirling in her head. But I didn’t.Instead, I followed.The suite was dimly lit, the glow from the city lights outside casting faint shadows across the room. She walked—no, wobbled—toward the sitting area, her movements slow, almost hesitant, as if the weight of tonight was pressing down on her all at once.“You’re going to regret drinking this much in the morning,” I said, closing the door behind me.She scoffed, collapsing onto the couch with an exaggerated sigh. “Good. Maybe a hangover will distract me from the bigger problem.”I exhaled sharply, slipping off my suit jacket and tossing it over the armchair. “And what problem is that?”Reigna lifted her gaze, her expression a mix of frustration and sadness. “You.”

  • Seven Minutes in Heaven   SIXTY-SIX

    CarlisleEveryone is testing my patience.I sat beside Violet, my posture relaxed, my fingers grazing the rim of my whiskey glass as I listened to Devereaux retell a story I had already heard twice this evening. I had no real interest in the conversation, but I made the occasional comment when necessary, maintaining the effortless control expected of me.Violet, meanwhile, was in her element.She laughed, leaned in closer than she needed to, brushing her fingers against my arm as if she had every right to. And I let her—because letting her act familiar with me, letting her bask in the attention, was the easiest way to keep her content."Remember when we stayed in Paris that summer?" Violet mused, swirling the golden liquid in her glass. "That tiny villa overlooking the Seine? We were barely indoors."I nodded, but said nothing.Violet hated silence, and true to form, she filled it."But then again," she sighed dramatically, "you’ve always had a habit of leaving things unfinished, have

  • Seven Minutes in Heaven   SIXTY-FIVE

    ReignaThis trip on a private island is t*rture.Carlisle wanted us to attend so we could furtherly shut down the rumors and rebuild my reputation. But hell, things kept on going south—and before I knew it, we are already here…celebrating Violet Harrington’s birthday.“Anxious?” I snapped out of my thoughts when I heard Carlisle’s voice, making me turn and face him. Dressed in his suit fit for his status, he looked too dazzling just to be alone with someone like me. His green orbs looked intimidating, yet his presence screams for everyone to approach him and pay respect.Currently, we are at the elevator, slowly approaching the venue where I’m about to be grilled alive once more. “I think I can’t stop myself from feeling it.”He stared at me for a short while, ad instead of responding through words, he tilted my chin and kissed me, causing my eyes to widen before I savored the feeling. Closing my eyes, I basked in the warmth of his kiss, having his tongue dance with mine eased my worr

  • Seven Minutes in Heaven   SIXTY-FOUR

    Carlisle“Carlisle,” Reigna spoke, her voice soft as I fix my polo while watching her reflection through the mirror. “Uhm, maybe tomorrow, I should just stay inside?” she asked, her voice getting smaller as she finished her question.Ah. She’s bothered by it.“I’m not attending.” I finished fixing myself and kept my eyes on hers through the mirror that keeps us connected. “It’s just a birthday, princess. We’re not needed on it.”“But Carlisle-”“Let’s go out.” I turned to pick up my sports bag, ready to tackle another afternoon activity with the acquaintances involved in this hypocritic gathering. “The others are waiting. I was told we’re playing golf today.”“Carlisle…” her tone sounded defeated, but I heard no other complaints or suggestions, rather, I can hear the faint ruffling of her preparing her own things to bring as we face those ridiculous people once more.***The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows over the pristine green of the private golf course. A cool breeze

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