Novel & Cerita Caraval Stephanie Garber

“Vespera never does that. She always looks at her shoes.” Caroline stepped into his space, placing a firm hand on his chest. Her nails pressed slightly into the fabric of his shirt. She was ruthless, and she didn’t like her territory being threatened. “Listen to me. Vespera is a nobody. She’s a failed wife and a mother who couldn’t even keep her son’s affection. Tomorrow is the gala. We show up, we look perfect, and we let the world know that Caroline and Randell are the new power couple. If she’s there, we treat her like the help she is. Understood?”

My face burned as I tried to school my expression into something neutral, something no one would suspect. The students were already gathered near the cabins, buzzing with excitement, when Stephan’s car rolled to a stop. Valeria was the first to spot us. It was like she was on the lookout for us specifically. “Finally,” She crossed her arms, tapping her foot, her smirk sharp as a blade. “We were wondering if you two got lost… or maybe too busy to join us.” My stomach dropped, panic crawling up my throat. Stephan stepped out first, calm as ever, buttoning his jacket like nothing in the world could touch him.

The hall was still not filled as more people came in. I caught sight of Mom and raised my hand for a quick wave. Hayley, who I still kept in touch with even though she'd moved a little far for college, would have been there but she'd promised to meet up for drinks for some girl time when she came back to town in another week or so. Carl and Evan sat beside Mom, and Evan was carry-ing our daughter in his arms. He was looking for me as well, and I thought he saw me, because suddenly he had on this blinding smile, and I grinned back, losing the nervousness as I started to feel excited.

Glad she can find the humor at my expense. “I don’t know about pretty, but that other girl was Stephanie.” “Stephanie,” Marvel says the name, testing it out. “Do you think Sister Stephanie is pretty?” Court asks Marvel, getting out of the truck and opening the back door for Marvel as I help Vivian out of the front seat. Marvel nods confidently, not shy at all about admitting that he found a girl to be pretty, then hops down before making a face at Calum, who plopped his chubby butt down in a puddle of mud.

“That’s how it’s going to be. You can hate me all you want, Camila. But you are mine. And everyone, everyone, is going to know it.” **** The gala lights still burned behind us, flashes from cameras like tiny explosions of white heat, capturing every second of my nightmare in high definition. Stephano’s hand was still on the small of my back, too low, his palm warm and heavy through the silk of my dress as we stepped toward the waiting car. I’d done it. I’d smiled, nodded, pretended to laugh at the right moments, played my role as the adoring fiancée of Stephano Maddens, the billionaire everyone either wanted to be or wanted to ruin.

What a joke—giving her face, only for her to act like this! Fuming, Karsyn took a few quick steps forward. Stephanie’s face wore a seemingly friendly smile, but those who knew her understood the malice hidden beneath. "What happens to you?" She chuckled. "You can ask your dear best friend yourself. I’ll be going now, future Mrs. Li!" She waved mockingly before strutting away in her heels, her gown swaying seductively with each step. "Go greet your ancestors, bitch!" Karsyn rolled up her sleeves, ready for a fight, but Britney stopped her. Seeing Stephanie’s smug face made Karsyn want to strangle her. Even if Britney’s ex-fiancé was a scumbag, giving him to Stephanie still felt like a waste.

Kayla let out a cold laugh. "First of all, you were the one who thought the Campbell family was too poor and willingly followed a trafficker just because he promised you a limited edition Barbie doll. You only came crawling back after hearing the Campbells had made it big, trying to snatch the real daughter's place. The shameless one is you, not me. Second, Luke's marriage certificate still has my name on it. I am his lawful wife." Stephanie looked like she was on the verge of losing her mind, then a strange, twisted smile appeared on her lips.

The reply came back before I could even draw another breath. “Go to the balcony, Elara. Slip out of Marcus’s sight. Let your Daddy see his girl.” The "Body Betrayal" was a physical current now, a dark, intoxicating pull that bypassed my brain entirely and took control of my limbs. I didn't think about the freezing temperature outside. I didn't think about the tactical guards patrolling the perimeter below. I walked toward the heavy glass French doors, unlocked the latch, and stepped out onto the snow-dusted wooden balcony.

The strands fell freely down my silky hair, and I pushed some behind my ear. Looking in the mirror—watching as my raven black hair framed my face, falling to my back, it gave me the look I desire. “Oh my God, who is she?” “She must be from one of these high end families,” another guest whispered. The music stopped at that moment, my feet stretched out and landed delicately on another step. My fingers trailed down the golden rails of the stairs. The camera lights clicked endlessly as a dazzling smile washed through my face. I could feel their stares burning through my flawless skin as I took the stairs one step at a time.

I wanted my overbearing stepfather's composure to shatter when he saw the asset he guarded so strictly being touched by another guy. However, Alexander's unexpectedly early return ruined everything. The sliding glass door to the family room was slammed open from the inside. Heavy, measured footsteps approached the tiled edge of the pool. His suffocating aura of dominance instantly froze the party's atmosphere. The music, which had been blasting a moment ago, suddenly went completely dead, though I didn't see who turned it off out of sheer terror. "Oh my god, Selena, your stepfather is so handsome," whispered one of my friends standing by the edge, her hand trembling as she held her drink. "W