the seventh time

At Crestwood University, the love story of Vincent Fuller and Mira Saunders was the stuff of legends.

Vincent was the physics department's renowned heartthrob, known for his cold demeanor and an air that kept everyone at a distance.

Two people were exceptions.

One was his childhood sweetheart, Mira, with whom he shared a deep bond.

They were on the verge of ending their seven-year romance with marriage.

The other was Ella Clayton, a persistent admirer Vincent openly despised and avoided.

Despite his strict adherence to propriety, Vincent had told her to get lost countless times, yet she remained undeterred, chasing him for seven years.

Mira never took Ella seriously.

As the medical department's famous beauty, Mira saw Ella as an insignificant nobody in comparison.

That changed when Mira saw the nickname Vincent had given Ella on his phone.

He called her "Sweetheart."

For the first time, Mira lost her temper and gave Vincent the silent treatment.

That night, when she ignored his messages, Vincent, usually so proud, knelt before her, slapped himself hundreds of times, deleted and blocked all of Ella's contact information, and begged for forgiveness.

He swore solemnly that he would never hurt her again.

But soon after, Mira found a star-shaped hair tie in his pocket.

It was a style she had never used.

During their second fallout, Vincent didn't notice her anger for a full day.

When he did, he abandoned a multi-billion-dollar deal, flew to Seavelt to buy her favorite pineapple pastries, and waited for her in a freezing blizzard all night, nearly turning into an ice statue.

Mira's heart softened, and she forgave him.

The third time, Mira noticed the red safety charm she had given Vincent was now on Ella's wrist.

She told him, "Vincent, let's break up."

He went berserk, using his family's influence to ground planes and halt trains, chasing her down and holding her so tightly it felt like he wanted to meld her into his arms, tears streaming as he swore, "Mira, I love you so much. The thought of you leaving drives me insane."

Mira, dragging her suitcase, couldn't bring herself to leave.

Then came the fourth, fifth, and sixth times.

Vincent seemed to know her love for him was her weakness, certain she would always wait if he turned back.

Until the seventh time.

With their wedding approaching, they began living together.

During an intimate moment, Vincent got a call from an unknown number and hesitated before answering. "I've told you a hundred times, stop bothering me!"

Sweat beaded on his forehead, his expression impatient, his tone harsh.

A faint sob came from the other end. "Vincent, I'm not trying to bother you… but I think someone's following me. I'm scared."

Vincent froze, glancing at Mira's calm face, and said irritably, "Your phone has a one-tap emergency app. Press it, and the police will come."

He hung up.

"Mira…" He leaned down, whispering in her ear.

But his heavy breathing betrayed his agitation, his mind clearly elsewhere.

The next second, his phone rang again.