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SEVENTY-THREE
Last Updated:
2025-03-05 00:34:20
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Seven Minutes in Heaven PROLOGUE
ReignaI had a lovely day.Work was doing fine, my paycheck was given, and my favorite cake was available for our third anniversary to be celebrated this evening. It was cloudy with just the right degrees, and my clothes were perfectly matching my mood and my job as a member of the public relations department—white knitted long sleeves, high waist jeans, and a black trench coat.But the afternoon wasn’t fine at all.With tears in my eyes, I stood there, with a fallen cake on the carpeted floor, trembling hands, and the heinous sight of my boyfriend, Axle, fooling around with my older sister, Emma. “Reigna, it’s not what you think-”“Don’t hide it anymore, Axle.” Emma snickered, boldly showing off as she laid in his chest, both of their bodies were covered with the white blankets, with their clothes scattered all over the room.I don’t know what to say.“Babe, look. This is-”I cut Axle off by laughing, my eyes stinging from tears that are about to fall. “Happy anniversary.” I clenched
Last Updated : 2024-10-26Seven Minutes in Heaven ONE
ReignaI am screwed…Sir Carlisle really made sure I’ll be by his side.“Aww, I’m going to miss you, Rei.” My best friend, Venice Joules, hugged me goodbye after I packed all my necessary things because I am being transferred to the CEO’s office—as Sir Carlisle’s secretary. “We’ll still eat meals together whenever you’re free, alright?” she asked, looking at me so sadly as if I’m leaving her for good.Smiling, I hugged her back. “I’m just three floors away, Ven. You don’t have to make it sound like I’m d*ing.” I joked, but deep inside, I know well I am about to.She looked at me with a small pout gracing her pink lips, looking like a child in her messy bun and bayonetta glasses that frames her small face and matches her ginger hair. “Sometimes I wish you are just on the same level as I so you won’t be taken from me because you excel so much.” She whined, making me laugh.“Good luck, Reigna.” Manager Georgina Harper spoke, looking at us with a stern look on her face. She is in her mid 5
Last Updated : 2024-10-26Seven Minutes in Heaven TWO
ReignaAside from the game, it wasn’t hard serving as his secretary.It is already 9 in the evening and everything is still too much to process for me. In just one way, my boyfriend cheated on me with my sister, a boy led me to my boss, and my boss made me enter a weird game along with keeping me bound to him as his secretary…plus I became a mother!Sighing, I am massaging my ankles after standing for so long during the meeting with a partner company. “I just want to go home.” Mumbling, I kept on putting pressure on my sore ankles.“Let’s go home then, princess.” Surprised by the voice, I stood up, hiding my socks behind me as I smiled at my boss who is leaning by the doorframe. “Come on, the little brat’s waiting.”I still don’t have a solid grasp of what is happening, but I nodded. “A moment, sir. Let me just fix myself up.” I said, sitting back down to put on my socks and wear my heels once again.He walked in after closing the door, going down on one knee and took my foot, placing
Last Updated : 2024-10-26Seven Minutes in Heaven THREE
Reigna“We have maids for everything, so I have only one rule for you: never let Erwin know you’re lying about us.”Carlisle’s penthouse is luxurious—far too luxurious than the fake mansion he used when a magazine interviewed him and requested a house tour. In this two-story area, everything I can see shines with wealth, giving me little to no confidence that I could pay or buy a replacement for anything I could break.“Erwin’s bed time is 9 pm so I’m sure he’s asleep by now. I think it’s better if you sleep in his room so he’ll see you first thing in the morning.” Taking off his coat, he led me upstairs where a door painted in white, with a teddy themed tag on it with Erwin’s name written on it.Our goal for tonight is to make him happy by granting his wish of making me stay with them. My things are to be slowly packed from my house, Carlisle agreed to drive me to and from my house with a box a day so no one would suspect a thing, and we won’t spend hours away from his son.“This is w
Last Updated : 2024-12-01Seven Minutes in Heaven FOUR
Reigna“Bye, mommy! Bye, dada!”Erwin happily waved his hand, while his other is clinging into Lilly who smiled at us, gently reassuring them that he is safe with her in the daycare.As they boarded the school bus, both Carlisle and I were waving our hands while his arm is on my waist, securing me for the sake of keeping a safe image in front of everyone—especially to the prying children who seemed to mind everything they see from the bus.Once they were out of sight, I heaved a sigh of relief. “That boy isn’t that eager to go to school back then,” he chuckled, looking down at me with a look of pride in his eyes. “He said he’ll brag of how his mommy came home, so he wants to be in the classroom as soon as possible.”Laughing at his remarks, my hand made its way to find his, intertwining our fingers as he kept me safe in his grasp. “I don’t think he’ll lose that enthusiasm anytime soon.” Just the thought of his bright smile and little voice, calling me ‘mommy’ every time he sees me, is
Last Updated : 2024-12-01Seven Minutes in Heaven FIVE
ReignaEmma’s words lingered in my head the entire day.I was just minding my own business, not even bringing up her audacity in front of our parents and this is what I get? With my attention somewhere else, I tap on the keyboard with a pace slower than usual.I snapped back to reality when Carlisle knocked his knuckles on my table, making me look up. “Carlisle.” I smiled, hoping he won’t catch my drift.“I’m having a meeting with the sales department. My secretary should come along.” Hearing that, I quickly stood up and grabbed my things.Once done, I faced him. “It is the meeting with Director Crawley and the core members of this month’s product launch monitoring, right, sir?” I confirmed, turning to my files to grab another folder. “I will bring last month’s records in case-”“Don’t overthink too much.” He cut off, making me freeze and look at him, searching for emotions in his empty green orbs. “She won’t reach you here by my side.”Catching me off guard, I blinked twice, keeping
Last Updated : 2024-12-03Seven Minutes in Heaven SIX
ReignaNight has soon come and we are still in Carlisle’s office, rushing the documents to be presented tomorrow on a client who suddenly changed the schedule and wanted to meet with us immediately.“This is endless.” Muttering to myself, I blinked and pulled my reading glasses of to take a short break.Glancing at him, the sight of his loosened tie, well-kept hair, and glasses on his masculine face, made me admire him—a little too much. “You want to go home already, princess?” he spoke, snapping me out of my trance.Blinking, I shook my head no. “Want some coffee, then?” he offered, making me ponder for a moment before nodding.With that, he stood up and started to fold his sleeves until above his elbows. As I watched, it suddenly occurred to me that I’ve been fascinated so much that one could think I’m a weirdo.Averting my gaze, I stood up. “It’s the secretary’s job to serve the boss, sir. Let me do it.”Carlisle didn’t argue as I insisted on making the coffee, though the small smi
Last Updated : 2024-12-04Seven Minutes in Heaven SEVEN
Reigna“Tomorrow is family day, Ma’am. Can you and Sir Carlisle attend?” While waiting for Erwin to come down with Christy, Lilly spoke to me with a gentle, worried, tone.The sincerity in her voice for the little one’s sake made me smile. “I’m not sure, but we will try.” Hearing that, she heaved a sigh of relief.“Lilly! Do you have my dinosaur?!” from upstairs, Erwin’s loud voice echoed, followed by his loud excited footsteps, making the two of us turn from the opened front door where we are standing.“Yes, young master.” She crouched down and showed the dinosaur pencil case in her hand, then helped Erwi to turn around so she could place it in his bag. Once done, she stood up and held his hand, ready to accompany him to his school.“Bye mommy! Make sure to come tomorrow, okay! We have booths!” he excitedly announced, jumping up and down. “It’s called family day!”“Ah yes, I’ve been told, baby.” I laughed, kissing his forehead and patting his fluffy hair. “Dada and I will do our bes
Last Updated : 2024-12-05
Latest chapter
Seven Minutes in Heaven SEVENTY-THREE
ReignaI just needed space.I had thrown on a simple dress before leaving, one of my older ones from when my life had been normal, before Carlisle Amoroso had rewritten my entire existence. It was plain, nothing remarkable, but as I wandered past a group of people huddled near the park entrance, I caught the way their heads turned, their whispers slicing through the air like knives.At first, I ignored them.But then—“Wait, isn’t that—?”“Oh my god, it’s her.”“Is she seriously walking around like nothing happened?”My heart slammed against my ribs, my throat tightening as I quickened my steps, pushing forward, hoping—praying—that they would just let me pass. But the whispers only grew louder, venomous, laced with amusement and cruelty, the kind of sharp-edged mockery only people who had never lived a second in my shoes could wield so easily.“She has some nerve showing her face after trying to Violet Harrington.”“I hope Carlisle Amoroso finally saw her for what she is.”“Me too. Sh
Seven Minutes in Heaven SEVENTY-TWO
Carlisle“Dada! Mommy said she’ll see you later, but I told her it should be now!” he declared, completely oblivious to the suffocating tension between us.Reigna let out a slow breath, reaching up to smooth his hair with a trembling hand. “Sweetheart,” she murmured, her voice soft, tired. “Maybe another time, okay?”Another time.I clenched my jaw, stepping further into the room. “Erwin, come here,” I said, my voice quiet, measured.He pouted but obeyed, slipping off the bed and running over to me. I placed a hand on his head, smoothing down his curls, before finally shifting my gaze back to Reigna.She was already looking away.It irritated me more than it should have."You’ve been in here all morning," I said evenly, my eyes never leaving her. "And now you’re avoiding breakfast. How long are you planning to keep this up?"Reigna flinched, but she masked it quickly, schooling her features into a calm, unreadable expression. "I just need time," she said, echoing the same words she ha
Seven Minutes in Heaven SPECIAL CHAPTER: IN A CHILD’S PERSPECTIVE
ErwinWhy was it that after they came back home from a long, long, trip, mommy was sad and dada is being unusual?I knew it.I could feel it.Even though she smiled when I woke up this morning, even though she kissed my forehead and brushed my hair like she always did, something felt wrong. Her smile wasn’t the same as before—it was stretched too thin, her voice a little too soft, like the way grown-ups talked when they were trying to hide something.And Dada—Dada was acting so odd too.Usually, when he came to see me in the mornings, he would look at Mommy in a way that made me feel warm inside. Like the way he looked at me when I did something good. Like she was special.But today, he didn’t.He barely even looked at her.And she barely looked at him.I didn’t like it.“Mommy, let’s eat breakfast with Dada today!” I said, kicking my feet while she helped me put on my socks. My words came out excitedly, hoping she'd say yes right away.She paused—just for a second. Then, she smiled a
Seven Minutes in Heaven SEVENTY-ONE
CarlisleThe moment the wheels touched the tarmac, I felt the shift. It was subtle, almost imperceptible, but I felt it. The way Reigna straightened in her seat, the rigid tension in her shoulders, the way her fingers curled against the armrest as if bracing herself for impact. Not from the landing—but from everything that came after.She hadn't spoken a word to anyone since our confrontation in the lounge, not to me, not to Violet, not even to the flight attendants who offered her a drink she didn't acknowledge. She had locked herself in silence, a fortress built in mere hours, and I—I was the reason why.I want to believe her…I wanted to take her side and stop people from spreading malicious rumors about her. But I just can’t do it.Violet won’t drown herself on her own, right?Or she won’t lie and pretend she didn’t fell accidentally on her own, right?I just can’t see the point of her harming herself to paint Reigna bad. But I can’t truly convince myself that Reigna purposely hurt
Seven Minutes in Heaven SEVENTY
Reigna“Miss Harrington shouldn’t go back by herself.”“I agree. She’s still shaken up from what happened yesterday. Please take care of her.”That is the picture: Violet Harrington is on the same ride as us.Carlisle’s private plane was luxurious—pristine leather seats, gleaming mahogany tables, the scent of aged whiskey lingering faintly in the air—but to me, it felt suffocating. Every breath I took was thick with tension, every glance stolen across the cabin a reminder that I didn’t belong here. Not anymore.I sat rigidly in my seat, hands clasped tightly in my lap, nails pressing into my skin hard enough to leave marks. Across from me, she lounged, draped in a silk blanket, her damp hair cascading over her shoulder in soft waves, her complexion artfully pale. Violet.She looked weak. Delicate. Like a woman who had suffered greatly.It was a lie. Every inch of it.I dug my nails deeper into my palms, forcing myself to stay quiet, to keep my expression neutral, even when the urge to
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
