Caraval Stephanie Garber Novels & Stories

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

I hadn’t even realized I was holding my breath until the driver pulled into the driveway. Scott squeezed my hand once more as he looked down at me. “Ready?” he asked softly. I swallowed and nodded. “Yeah.” The driver stepped out quickly, opening my door first. I muttered a thank you and slid out, adjusting the hem of my dress, still a little unsteady on my legs. My heels clicked softly against the floor. I adjusted my hair, trying to piece myself back together before stepping inside. But before I could take more than two steps toward the door, Scott was there.

“You look like shit. What’s going on?” I had a long drink to calm my nerves and gather the boldness to share my ordeal. “I did something stupid, Mark. Like I messed up.” Mark leaned in, eyes wide. “Spill it.” I lowered my voice. “Charlotte. My stepdaughter. We… crossed a line. More than once.” Mark’s jaw dropped, then he grinned like an idiot. “Is it what I’m thinking it is? You better start talking.” “Oh man, it is. I disvirgined my stepdaughter.”

* she’d simpered, her grip bruising Stephanie’s arm. The charity gala was a sea of sequins and spite. Stephanie floated through the crowd in a silver gown, her smile welded on. She’d slipped her GPS bracelet onto a waiter’s tray an hour ago. Jake’s contact would disable it. *Two days*, he’d said. *Then we move.* In the restroom, she splashed water on her face, the faucet’s growl drowning her shaky breaths. The door swung open. Adriana. She looked like vengeance in red satin, her curls a crown of flames. “Hello, Stephanie.” The name dripped mockery.

Stephanie said with full evil intentions. She made a mess of Amber's room, looking for anything useful. Then a piece of paper hidden within the pillowcase slowly dropped down on the bed. Stephanie smiled. Grabbed the paper then ran to her mom. Amber is planning to leave and she won't allow that. Arnold and Valencia were seated at the living room when a maid suddenly came in, breathing heavily. "M-Master Miller! Draven Harvy is demanding to see you!" "Mom! I need to show you something!" Stephanie said at the same time.