The Seventh Time Novels & Stories

​New York. Xavier's Penthouse. Thursday. 11:47 AM ​Xavier was already deep into a call with Nadia before Scarlett had even finished her second round of logistics. The penthouse had shifted from a residence into a tactical assembly floor. Margot had somehow manifested a fourth monitor—a tablet propped precariously against the backsplash—running the Apex-7 documentation in a scrolling waterfall of data that sat parallel to the seventeen-name verification and the grand jury procedural requirements she’d been researching for the last hour in a silent, caffeinated fury.

Her lips trembled, but no words came out. Mrs. Cunningham stood to the side, wanting to curse at me, but not daring to. Seven years of marriage. Twenty years of friendship. In the face of betrayal and lies, it had all become worthless. I had nothing more to say. I turned, ready to leave this nauseating place.

He pulled me into his arms, holding me so tightly he could have crushed me. "How could I bear to make you my mistress? And there's no way I'd break up with you! Just seven days, that's all. Once the contract is signed, it'll be over. Cara, you've always been so good to me, so patient. Can't you hold on just a little longer? For us?" By logic, I had waited seven years. What were seven more days? But I did not want to wait anymore. I smiled. Gently, sweetly, exactly the way he liked. "I understand."

"Birds of a feather really do flock together." "What a bunch of trash." Luca was the first to snap. He lunged forward, grabbing Marco by the collar. "Did you do this?! Was this you?!" "No," I said, stepping forward. I spoke in pure, sharp Sicilian, a cold smile playing on my lips. Luca froze like a deer in headlights. "This was Angelina’s surprise. So, Luca... was it thrilling enough for you?"

“O-okay…” “Come again?” “…okay, Carlisle.” He smiled. “Good girl.” Just like that, seven minutes was over.

His words were like ice, and he hung up before she could say another word. Summer stared at her phone, her expression darkening as rage boiled beneath the surface. She’d waited so long for me to step aside, and she finally had her chance. However, why was everything slipping through her fingers now? A few days later, she called Lucien again. The moment he saw her name flash across the screen, his brows furrowed. “I told you. I don’t have time for this right now–” “Lucien.” Summer’s voice trembled, soft and tearful. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to bother you, but the power’s out at my place. I think there’s a short circuit or something…

Louise said, her eyes flashing with malice as she looked at me. "Oh, right. Do you know when he gave me this ring?" Smirking, she continued, "It was during our seventh time doing it. He whispered in my ear, saying how good it'd be if I weren't his sister. He said he'd definitely marry me if that were the case." With my head lowered, I listened in silence. My hands curled tightly around the gown, crumpling it. Then, I unclenched my hands and chuckled.

Behind accidental at 129, seventh shape kicked again, together with accidental, like twins from different months, like first baby from January night and seventh shape from early April know each other, hiding behind fifth, hiding behind six. Genevieve said, "There is envelope 31st. Hamptons trip video. One bed trope. Almost kiss in kitchen while Lila slept. Early April. That night created seventh shape." Mr. G lifted framed FREE RENT FOREVER FOR SIXTEEN and whispered in English, "Seventeen?" Chioma whispered in English, "Seventeen?" Mummy Lagos whispered in English, "Bride price times seven, free rent forever for seventeen." Jasmine looked at Damian, her boss, father of six, maybe seven, only

"What does it reset?" The seventh version - the one who knew everything - looked at her with pity. "It means the world you remember was never the first one, Creator." Silence fell, even over the screaming machines. Lena felt cold, ice spreading from her stomach. "What?" she breathed. The seventh version continued, her voice clear and sad. "The apocalypse happened before. Long before." Daniel closed his eyes, as if he couldn't bear to hear it again. "Seven times," he whispered. Lena stared at him, shaking her head.

“What do you mean by that?” I asked as fear crept into me. “The stations that transmits weather readings have stopped transmitting,” he paused but continued when he noticed the confusion in my silence. “That means the temperature has dropped even lower.” "How long ago did the station stop transmitting?" I asked. "Twenty minutes." I sat up straight. "And you waited twenty minutes before calling me?" "I was trying to verify the readings." "Keith, if the temperature is dropping that fast, we don't have time to wait for confirmation!"