The Way Back Novel Novels & Stories

I rushed back from out of town overnight when my best friend, Siobhan Coventry, went into labor. After learning that both mother and child were safe, I got teary-eyed with emotion. "Have you decided on the baby's name yet?" I asked. Her smile stiffened unnaturally for a moment. "Leonard Kessler. We'll call him Leo." "Kessler?" I stared at her in surprise. "I thought you said the baby would take your last name. Is his biological father's last name Kessler?" She gave me a vague hum before quickly changing the subject. "Ginny, I've been craving the wraps from that place in the college town." I nodded, forcing my doubts aside, and went out to buy one for her. It was only when I reached the

Rubbing her brow, she said wearily, "You should head out first." "But, Ms. Thorne—" "I said go!" she snapped, her patience worn thin. Maxwell pressed his lips together. Despite his reluctance, he forced himself to step out. After he left, Beatrice went back to her desk. Looking at the error-filled report, a wave of memories washed over her. Seven years ago, I had also been a rookie starting from scratch. I had neither experience nor an outstanding academic background. Surrounded by applicants far more qualified than I was, I barely stood out at all. Yet somehow, I was the only one who made it through the probation period.

Returning to classes also meant that I could return to group as well. I had formed warm acquaintances with most of the women at our group. Once you share the horrors of what you have endured with people, it is hard not to feel close to them. Upon my return I gave them the whole story of Jax’s ill health and why I had been away. I told them about Crystal and how she was back in their lives. I even told them about Helen and how the young girl now seemed to despise me. Jordan our group leader questioned whether Crystal was trying to use Helen to get back together with Jax. While that possibility had crossed my mind hearing someone else wonder about it made me ponder it more.

she murmured softly as she slid into the seat. He closed the door with a quiet click, circling around to the driver’s side. Moments later, the car purred to life, and they eased into the flow of traffic, heading back toward Queens. As the city lights blurred past them, Natalia found herself gazing out the window, her mind spinning with thoughts of Damien, Camila, and the life she’d carefully kept hidden for so long.

I got into my car and watched him walk back to his Bentayga. As we drove out toward the restaurant, I realized something. Moving into this house felt like the start of a new chapter and I loved that Adrian was already a part of it.

Without a phone, I had no choice but to walk back to the city. Rain came down hard, soaking through my clothes, mixing with the tears on my face as I kept moving forward. I walked for hours, long enough for exhaustion to dull the fear, long enough for the rain to wash the past out of my head. By the time the sky began to lighten, I saw a woman setting up a small roadside stall. "Oh my goodness! What happened to you?" She wiped her hands and hurried over. The moment she touched my arm, she flinched, then frowned and pressed her palm to my forehead.

Without saying a word, she lifted the blanket and got out of bed. Forcing her sick body to move, she went to the old family house. She used her connections to have Dr. Tara Wells brought back from overseas. If not for Tara Wells, Mason would not have died. For the matter of the heart, Tara had to pay the price. Tara had already been beaten beyond recognition. Joanna threw everything she had found onto the floor, including the documents showing Tara Wells and Adrian had studied at the same school. She looked coldly at Adrian. "You two know each other? You set this up, didn't you, Adrian Shaw?"

My daughter, Lily, was hit and dragged for two whole miles by a drunk driver. I rushed her blood-drenched body into the emergency room. While the doctors saved her, I collapsed onto the floor in the hallway. With the last ounce of strength left in my body, I sent a text to my husband, Howard. [Lily is in critical condition. Get to the hospital now!] A few seconds later, my phone chimed with a reply. [Stay safe. I’ll be over as soon as I wrap things up here.]

"I'll come back when it's safe, don't worry. Is someone watching our family?" Anthea nodded. "People were following Dad, so he asked me to bring you things." She boxes. "Dad sent you some books. Why do you like those old books? I don't find them attractive at all." Uri sighed, so the Red Leaves organization didn't give up on capturing him. He opened an item box, inside there was a lot of food, some of his clothes and some old books. He asked Finn to open the remaining three boxes and set the books on the table, looking at Anthea's beautiful face by the candle.

He said, smiling, "Sydney, I mean no harm. I was just hoping we'd have a chance to relive our memories for the last time. I promise I won't hurt you. You've known me for years now. Do you really have no trust in me?" I had no choice but to oblige. I strode into the house and was surprised to discover that everything was exactly the way I remembered. Everything Thalia had changed about the furniture had been removed, and the entire house was back to its original state. It was as if I had traveled back in time to when Zach and I were still happy. Zach took my hand and led me to my old room. "Look, Sydney. I've made sure your room is exactly the way it used to be. I also tracked down all your b