Devolution Brooks Novel Novels & Stories

My gaze slipped to daisy, one last time, that confusion and fear and still, that fire in her eyes glowed like embers. They made my chest warm for some reason. I tore my gaze away when I realized I’d been staring too long and left the room. The door barely shut behind me before Caleb’s voice filtered through the wood. “I know it sounds far-fetched but my brother wasn’t lying about the whole cage- fighting incident.” I let the smoke tug at my lips. Nice to know he hadn’t completely gone transparent. If he did, that would become a problem. Last person who got too close… let’s just say it didn’t end well.

I pulled the blanket closer to me and curled up on the windowsill, turning my back to the window and the world. Chapter One Six months later “Eve,” my sister’s voice was nagging me from somewhere. “Wake up.” I refused to open my eyes. Oblivion during sleep was better; it was the only time I got some reprieve. Sometimes I dreamt they were still with me. It was the only time I didn’t feel complete desperation. “Eve, that’s enough!” she begged. “I can’t bear this anymore. You have to snap out of it! Open your eyes or I’m calling the ambulance.”

Their talk slipped into vulgar jokes. I kept my gaze on my cards, jaw set. Chester suddenly asked, "So why'd you split with Ryan Brooks? Cash out a few hundred million before walking away?" I answered quickly. "We weren't right for each other. As for money, I didn't take a thing. His company is his alone." "That man's a fool," Chester said with a soft grin, eyes roaming shamelessly. "Six years of marriage and he tossed you out with nothing? I would have been more generous."

You insist on hanging on to Lionel, but has he ever truly noticed you? His words hit me like a bucket of ice water in the dead of winter. So that was why his attitude changed after being reborn. He thought I was after the family fortune. But if I truly cared about the inheritance, why would I have done everything to remove myself from the family business? Life was short. What was the point of hoarding wealth? "If that's what you think, then we're done as siblings. From now on, I have no brother." Just then, I got word that Dad was already back in the country.

" Attached to Sydney's message were several photos of torn stockings and an open condom wrapper. Odessa's hands shook as she stared at the screen. She might have wanted a divorce after her death, but that didn't mean she was prepared to endure such a blatant and humiliating insult. A sudden crack of thunder ripped through the sky as rain began to pour. Raindrops traced the curve of her pale jaw, blending with her tears. Finally, she typed a message to Ansel, "Let's get a divorce." By the time she got home, night had already fallen. Odessa collapsed onto the couch, her fever burning through her veins.

"All right. Let's leave. A Brand-New Refuge The new safe home is located deep in the swamps, distant from the city. Surrounded by huge, towering trees and murky water, the cabin is modest and dilapidated. Insects swarm ceaselessly in the background, filling the air. "Is this it?" With a tone of incredulity, I ask. The place appears like it could collapse with a single, powerful wind gust, but I can't help myself. Though I suppose that's the purpose, it's a far cry from the luxury we're accustomed to. There is no better place than here for us to vanish.

The storm howled outside, but inside the world shrank to his hand against her cheek, her tears on his skin, his breath ghosting warm against her lips. She leaned down, kissing him softly. Not the desperate kiss in the rain, not the clash of survival and fear. This one was slower, tender, aching with everything she hadn’t said. Devotion. Relief. A vow she hadn’t realized she’d already made. When she pulled back, his eyes burned—not with fire, but with something quieter, something raw. He didn’t speak. He didn’t need to. Exhaustion claimed him soon after. The fight bled from his body, his hand slipping from hers, his chest rising and falling in uneven rhythm that slowly steadied into sleep.

I washed it down with a gulp of water. I took my bath and fixed myself a breakfast. I decided to take a tour around the house in order to spend some time. I haven't heard from Aunt and Andrew. Uncle is dead. I'm the least bothered. My feet halted when I heard a sound coming from the west wing of the house. I retreated to that part of the house. There were book shelves running against the wall with tons of books. I slid my fingers across the shelves. I picked a book titled ‘THE SEVEN PRINCIPLES OF HIGHLY EFFECTIVE PEOPLE’. The front cover looked enticing.

“It’s a tough choice. Maybe I should try both of you out one more time before I give you a final verdict?” Aaron closed his eyes, suppressing the urge to strangle her. He let out a cold, sharp laugh. “Have you ever seen an angel with plucked wings? Or maybe a dried-out angel?” Zoe instinctively imagined Ryan being hung up like a piece of beef jerky or a plucked chicken. It was a pathetic mental image. She shivered and shook her head. “I was right. You’re a devil. A mean, cruel devil.” Aaron gave her backside a sharp, warning pinch. “I’m letting you off the hook because you’re exhausted. But listen to me, baby—don’t test my patience. I’m not as nice as I look.”

Memories of her father rushed in, uninvited and bitter. Marcus Brooks had always been a ghost. Loud laughter and big promises when he appeared, then long absences filled with secrets. She remembered late-night phone calls that made her mother’s face go pale. Strange men showing up at odd hours, voices low and threatening. Once, at fourteen, she had found a heavy duffel bag hidden in his closet: thick stacks of cash and a handgun wrapped in dark cloth. She’d zipped it shut fast and never spoken of it. Not to anyone. Had he dragged them into this world years ago? Was this the bill finally coming due?