Stepback Book Novels & Stories

I wanted to end things properly and leave some good memories behind. But I had overestimated my place in his life. He didn't show up until closing time. I sent messages asking where he was, but he didn't reply. The night was cool, and the sky seemed to mock me by letting a light rain fall. I didn't run or hide. Step by step, I walked home. Just like the past eight years, every step felt so hard. Half an hour later, I got home, my forehead burning, my throat sore. Rolf wasn't back, but I was used to it. I just collapsed and fell asleep.

" My eyes flew open to see Sophia standing before me, still alive and breathing. She was wearing an elegant long dress and had her hair pulled up in a high ponytail, radiating youthful energy. Even so, her eyes were unable to hide their contempt. The Sophia from my future was mature, cold, and unapproachable, but this version of her was bright and spirited, still carrying a touch of liveliness. A lump formed in my throat when I laid my eyes on her. The time machine had indeed brought me back to the past, but unfortunately, it seemed to have malfunctioned. Instead of returning to when we first met, I had arrived thirteen years in the past, on the day Sophia and I were about to be married. Tha

Brock- I was feeling seriously annoyed and angry. Stephanie's behavior seemed so childish, as if she were a second-grader playing pranks on her classmates. Sure, her pranks were high-tech, but they still felt immature. Despite this, I couldn't help but be impressed by the technology she had created. I realized she could be a valuable asset to my company. I made a mental note to try to convince her to move beyond being an intern and take on a bigger role, perhaps even running the entire company's security department.

Daniel’s obsession with the perimeter meant he was looking for armies, not shadows. The message had come not through a hacked phone or a dark web ping but tucked inside a vintage book I’d ordered for my studies. A small, cream-colored card with a single handwritten line: The conservatory at the Botanical Gardens. 11:00 AM. I promise the air is easier to breathe there.

Chapter 13 Adrian's POV I slung my Nike backpack over my shoulder, the familiar swoosh logo glaring back at me. Ready to hit the basketball court, which is also my sanctuary from this chaos, I went towards the dining room, expecting solitude. The door, slightly open, creaked as I pushed it wider, revealing Jane engrossed in her books. My eyes narrowed, irritation bubbling beneath the surface. "Jane, seriously? Why can't you study in your own room?"

"But Sophia is a woman too, isn't she?" "Sophia is different. She's an online influencer, and she's always sharing her life as a wealthy wife. She's sophisticated and elegant… Ugh, what's the point in telling you this? You wouldn't get it. Just give the shares back to Dad." I glanced at the new gold bracelet I had bought and smiled to myself. It really was true that money knew quality. The bracelet looked stunning, and I was sure Alice would love it, too. "I sold the shares. You can find whoever who bought them to buy them back."

Minnie adjusted the hem of her oversized flannel jacket, nervously tugging it lower as she stood at the front door. The black combat boots on her feet were scuffed at the toes, her magenta-dyed curls tucked under a knit beanie she almost didn’t wear—but in the end, she couldn’t bring herself to walk into her father’s house without some sort of armor. She already knew what was waiting on the other side: her stepmother’s passive-aggressive glances, her sister’s glossy pity, and her father’s complete lack of noticing anything beyond whatever team was playing on the living room screen.

It wasn't until just before my due date, when Shirley came home for summer break, that we finally met again. Smiling sweetly, she seemed all grown up as she held out a protective talisman. "Diane, I went to church with my classmates and got this talisman. Wear it, and it'll keep you and the baby safe throughout the delivery." Her inner voice swiftly followed. "She must think poorly of me after the pumpkin soup incident, but I heard from the priest that this protective talisman keeps people safe. And…" She rubbed her knee with exaggerated movements and waited until I glanced over before continuing in her mind, "I climbed all 999 steps to the church on my knees to get it. But I won't tell Dian

“Better than that club, at least.” “Exactly.” April disappeared into the back room, returning with a stack of books. She plopped them in front of me. “Here. Keep your hands busy, maybe your brain will stop overloading.” I rolled my eyes but pulled the stack closer. “My brain has stopped overloading, work master.” “Motivator,” she corrected with a grin.

Attractively annoying nerd. I move away before I get further irritated by the sight and I walk to the other shelf. I can’t get that image off my mind and my mood is officially ruined as I look through the names of the books. "Oh, there." I stand on my feet and raise my hand in an attempt to grab the book on the upper shelf and as the tip of my finger touches it, a hand closes over mine and grabs the book. "A pretty girl like you shouldn’t have to struggle. "