My Step Brother

I've been surrounded by monsters since the day I was born and I believed my father was the worse out of all of them. But I was wrong. I just hadn't met my husband yet. *** Claudia Santoro wanted only a few things from life and one of them was to become a renowned singer. But her father was a man who spent more time on his ambitions than he did his children. Furthering his status was all that mattered, not even if it meant marrying his oldest daughter off to a known killer. Not even if it meant her dreams would forever remain just that. Dreams. This story’s timeline is set roughly thirty years before that of my other book; The mafia's queen, but follows the same families. This is to shed more light on the characters and show my readers why the families behave the way they do. You will most likely see characters from my previous book but will also be introduced to a set of new people. This book will contain a list of topics that may be triggering to some people. Some of which are listed below: Murder Gore physical assault Parental neglect Abuse Domestic violence Mentions of mental illness

The room was quiet, except for the faint sound of the ceiling fan whirring above us. Liya's phone screen dimmed, casting the room into near darkness. Sana had already fallen asleep, her soft breathing rhythmic and steady. I turned onto my side, hugging my blanket closer. The excitement of the night still lingered in my chest, but so did something else, a strange unease. It wasn't like I didn't trust my friend's instincts, but I couldn't understand why they felt something was off about Arun. He had been nothing but kind tonight. The way he and his friends treated us, guiding us around the party, buying us dinner, it didn't seem like the actions of someone untrustworthy. And yet… Why did I feel this lingering heaviness in my chest?

Anne, a shy and introvert woman, was in love with Denis for ten years. But Denis had someone in his heart. When his girlfriend left him to pursue her career, he finally noticed Anne and asked her to be his girlfriend. Anne stayed devoted to him for three years, but Denis cheated on her with his first love. Worse, his scheming ex-girlfriend killed her. Fate gave her another chance. Anne was reborn. This time, she vowed to take revenge on everyone who had hurt her. Augustine, the CEO of the Sphere Group of industries, was powerful and wealthy. But he died from his family’s conspiracy. Reborn, he was determined to punish those who had schemed against him. In his past life, he had failed to protect Anne, his savior. This time, he vowed to love her and keep her safe with his life. But Anne no longer believed in love. ~~~~~~~~~ “Will you marry me?” Augustine’s eyes sparkled with anticipation and nervousness. However, Anne was calm. “Yes,” she replied blankly. “I’ll marry you. But don’t expect anything from me. Love is the last thing I can give you.” He smirked and took a step closer to her. “Miss Clair,” he pinched her chin, “are you sure you won’t fall for me? Can you resist my charm?” Anne’s breathing hitched, her stomach fluttering. The challenge in his eyes and his husky voice threaten to shatter her resolve to never fall in love again. “Let me promise you one thing: in this life, I’ll love you, cherish you always. All I want is your faith.”

“I’m no angel, baby girl. I’ll make you cry, curse, and scream every night once you’re mine. So think twice before you sign this goddamn contract.” +++ Rivana Faye thought nothing could get worse than catching her husband and step-sister making out on their wedding anniversary, only to be shot dead the same day. Instead of the afterlife, Rivana woke up back in the past, on her wedding day, staring right into the eyes of the same bastard who had ruined her life. Fueled by vengeance, she planned to marry him and tear his world apart, just as he had done to her in her previous life. That is, until Azrael Dynar, her supposed husband’s older brother, stepped in with a shocking claim: that they were already married?! "Wifey, are you cheating on me with this tiny loser? Tch, you have poor taste," Azrael drawled, flashing their marriage certificate to everyone's horror. Azrael was everything Rivana had heard in hushed whispers: cold, cunning, and irresistibly seductive. But to her, he was oddly caring and fiercely protective. He even vowed to destroy everyone who had hurt her as long as she continued to be his side, as his darling wife! And the deeper Rivana sank into Azrael’s world, the more her defenses crumbled, leaving her with nothing but growing desires for him. Little did she know, the man she was falling for was no guardian angel but a devil—one responsible for her death, and the very one who could destroy her all over again. --- Excerpt: "You seem to have experience in seducing women, Mr. Dynar," Rivana joked, licking her ice cream. Azrael smirked at her laugh, and the next moment, he pulled her chair closer, causing Rivana's heart to skip a beat. Before she could catch her breath, he suddenly captured her lips, tasting the sweet chocolate on her lips. Pulling back slightly, Azrael smiled, enjoying her reaction. Tracing her lower lip with his thumb, he declared, "You are the first woman I have ever tried to seduce, Rain. And you will also be the last."

He is the most prestigious and mysterious man, the head of ZMI Agency's special agents. A person of immense influence. Just how influential? He says, find out for yourself! * She is a foreign-born master of criminal psychology, a psychological counselor at a correctional facility. A small fry who is always hungry for more. How small? She says, none of your business! * Zhan Se can't understand why, in just a short bathroom break, she was ensnared by such a cold, dignified, evil, domineering, awesome... a benefactor who is described with all the positive adjectives usually associated with the male protagonists in novels... What?!! She owed him six years ago? Not only did she owe him, but she also has a 6-year-old bun calling her mom? Holy moly! Since they both have a child together, who actually owes whom? ————————●Alternative Edition Introduction●———————— This is a guidebook for a nerdy girl's road to success. This is a must-have secret manual for marital roads. This is an encyclopedia on criminal psychology. This is the life journey of a woman who every man dreams of, working her way up. Urban marriage, rich family scandal, case tracking. All is revealed in "The Surprising Marriage Journey"… Indulgence is boundless, love and affection are reinterpreted! Nothing is the best, there is only better! Reading online novels, for the sense of satisfaction! Cracking melon seeds and peeling peanuts, sit in a row and taste together. Taste the power, color, fame, and wealth, and watch the various states of sentient beings with a smile. (Note: ① This book is one-on-one, absolutely clean, those who dislike the author and the author's writing style should avoid this pit) (Note: ② This book is purely fictitious, and there is no need to verify its authenticity. Reading the text comes with a lightning rod, no compensation for discomfort)

Since the Great Fracture and the partial destruction of the Moon, Earth has become nothing more than a wasteland, devoured by corruption. An unknown gigantic sword, emerging from the infinitely distant reaches of the universe, pierced the Unnameable, impaling it upon the star of dreams. Now, humanity lives in a waking nightmare, struggling to survive in a world where Umbra and Lumen wage an endless battle. Cities are built around sacred sites, where Lumen, the only source of purification, is wielded to repel the creeping darkness. But Umbra, with its abominations born of the shadows, relentlessly threatens what remains of humanity. Gaël is stained by this darkness. Umbra flows within him, eating away at his body and mind, and each time he draws upon this forbidden power, he edges closer to madness. He knows his fate is sealed, that his chances of surviving what he is becoming are slim. But rather than cower in fear, he chooses another path. He wants to follow in the footsteps of the Brothers of the Sword. Where the chosen of Lumen purify, the Brothers cut and annihilate. Where the cities hide behind the light, they plunge into the darkness. Feared, revered, and shrouded in legend, these warriors are, for most, nothing more than children’s tales. Gaël knows his life will be short. So before he vanishes, he wants to uncover the truth behind these fables, and if possible, live a brief, glorious saga, cutting down a few abominations along the way.

After a devastating fire claims their home and their parents, Kael and Draven Vile are left with nothing but each other and the raw magic that lingers in their blood. Forced to survive on the streets of Embermire, the brothers scrape by on wit, courage, and unbreakable loyalty. But when they learn about Nexus Academy, a legendary school where magic isn’t just taught but transformed. They see a chance to rewrite their fate. Nexus isn’t just a school for the gifted; it’s a towering spire of power and secrets, its heights shrouded in mist and its walls brimming with ancient magic. For two boys born into nothing, it’s a dream as distant as the stars. Determined to gain entry, the brothers embark on an audacious plan to join the Academy, facing ruthless competitors, ancient magic, and a system built to keep people like them out. But as they fight their way toward the heights of Nexus, they’ll uncover truths about themselves—and the fire that destroyed their past—that could either unite them or tear them apart. DISCORD FOR BOOK: https://discord.gg/2BymkbTae6

"Please......" Samantha moaned. It wasn't supposed to come out as a moan but a plea so Ryder could stop what he was doing. "Oh...This isn't right," She whispered again but Ryder just played deaf and continued riding her at his maximum speed. ★★★★★★ After the death of her mother at age twenty and sudden bankruptcy of her mother's empire Samantha's fate left her with no one else but her abusive drunk Step- Father who sents her to leave with his enstranded brother Ryder Hayes. Although Ryder was supposed to be her step Uncle but they find theirselves caught up in a forbidden romance. Deep secrets and betrayals starts to unfold just after they decide to become official making Samantha doubt if anything she ever knew or believed in was true. Her heart and freedom were on the line, but with every passing moment, she realized that surrendering to Ryder might be her only escape and blink of freedom.

Mysterious, dark-haired, sexy almond eyes, all charm, Alpha Kymon Zephyr is everything she wants to run away from. His records. She knows. His past. She knows but not the part she was part of. Not the part that scares every inch of his being. The part that drives him crazy. Mad. All smiles, brown alluring eyes, Lyra Reyes is everything he fears. Everything that threatens to break down his walls. Everything that reminds him of his past. But, as much as they want to be away from each other, fate draws them together and so close to the point she'd destroy every obstacle that comes his way and he'd burn any person that harms a single hair on her body. Remember now, the past always has a way of coming back and when it does, it leaves them with no option but to break apart or destroy the world. But then again, who gives a damn about the world?

Julie never expected much from transferring schools. It was just another thing in life she had to go through—nothing exciting, nothing to look forward to. But then, there was Noel. The quiet yet unreadable boy she met at the convenience store. From then on, little things started to change—small glances, thoughtful gestures, and moments that made her heart race just a bit too fast. Surrounded by her chaotic yet irreplaceable friends, Julie finds herself navigating high school, friendships, and maybe… something more. But as feelings get harder to ignore and memories of the past creep in, she starts to wonder—what does it really mean to take a step closer to someone?

He was once married. Married to my older sister. A seemingly fairytale that should have had a happy ending. But then tragedy befell upon them and the ending they received was my worst nightmare. The mistake of one person became the fall of my entire family. A devastating change that left me at the mercy of a ruthless Don despite my being innocent. He wants to sell me off and be his little money-making human machine.

Welcome to The Last Step – A Tale of Fate, Power, and the Unforgiven. In a world where magic defines one's worth, three souls walk a path toward an uncertain destiny—each bearing a power that can shape the fate of nations. Lucas, the God’s Chosen Sorcerer, wields divine magic that bends reality itself, blessed by forces beyond mortal comprehension. A shining beacon of hope—or a harbinger of destruction—his path is riddled with expectations he never asked for. Celia, the Queen of Curses, commands a power feared by even the strongest mages. She carries the weight of a past filled with whispers and condemnation, but where others see a curse, she sees the strength to carve her own future. Kaiser, the Unwanted Void, stands apart. Neither blessed nor cursed, he is the anomaly that should not exist. In a world that measures worth by magic, he is a shadow in the light—yet, the abyss within him holds something far greater than mere sorcery. Together, they are bound by fate yet divided by their own battles. As war brews and forgotten gods stir, the lines between hero and villain blur. In the end, their choices will decide more than just their own lives—they will determine the very foundation of their world. This is their journey. This is their Last Step.

Selina never expected to wake up inside the world of her brother's unfinished game after dying. A world where there are nobles, magic, and most importantly...men kissing each other. But— As memories of her new identity flood in… —She realizes she is not the protagonist. —She is not even a major character. —She is Amelia Amister, a noblewoman discarded by her family, doomed to a life of insignificance. Wanted dead by her in-game brother and with no allies in her own household, admittedly, she did not have the best start. But why is the cold-hearted female knight she could've sworn cursed her whole existence looking at her differently and why have the male leads grown fond of her? As the plot progresses, she realizes that there's a lot more to these characters than she had thought before and maybe, just maybe she'll get used to it. Oh, and she's also a dragon?!

Join Ryan on his extraordinary journey to ascend to Godhood as he travels across multiple worlds, each filled with unique challenges and limitless opportunities for growth: Limitless: Unlock the full potential of the brain with NZT drugs. Resident Evil: Push human limits with virus enhancements that grant superhuman strength, agility, and regeneration. Hunter x Hunter: Master the art of Nen, developing a powerful and unique ability. One Piece: Become a legend by mastering Haki, swordsmanship, and the powers of a Devil Fruit. Fairy Tail: Wield Light Dragon Slayer magic and evolve into a powerful dragon, rivaling the Acnologia. Naruto: Master a vast network of bloodline abilities, ascending to the level of an Otsutsuki. Bleach: Harness the powers of both Soul Reaper and Hollow, breaking all limits with Hōgyoku. Lord of Mysteries: Embark on the Hunter pathway and ascend to divinity as a Red Priest God. Warhammer 40,000: Conquer the immaterium and rise as a new Chaos God. Witness Ryan's epic rise as he masters unimaginable abilities, confronts gods and monsters, and reshapes entire worlds on his path to absolute divinity. ___________________________ "I will be posting this story on RoyalRoad.com"

His name is Alan, this is a story about Alan who goes on a journey to find happiness to color his colorless world. Will he finally find the happiness and joy he has been waiting for? Read and accompany Alan in finding the color he has been looking for for his world.

Waking up without warning in the middle of nowhere. No memory of what happened. You find yourself in an unfamiliar world, with its own customs, morals, and ways of life. How do you survive when you have nothing? How far would you go to stay alive? Would you be willing to sell or buy the unthinkable? Would you compromise your morals just to survive? What would you do if everything you thought you knew about yourself and your limits was put to the test?

Lena Parker never imagined that her childhood crush on Ethan Carter—her brother’s best friend—would ever turn into something more. He was always off-limits, the one boy she could never have. But when he returns home after years away, the undeniable pull between them becomes impossible to ignore. Ethan has always been protective of Lena, but seeing her now—grown, confident, and breathtaking—awakens feelings he can no longer suppress. Torn between loyalty to his best friend and his deepening love for Lena, he faces an impossible choice. As stolen glances turn into forbidden encounters, secrets unravel, and love is put to the test. Can Lena and Ethan defy the odds and fight for their love, or will the past and their fears tear them apart? A heartwarming romance filled with chemistry, tension, and the ultimate test of loyalty and love.

When your sister disappears off fhe face of the earth, what do you do? And when you suddenly find that an unstoppable disaster will plague your entire world, what solution do you have to stop it? These are the problems Elijah, Captain of the Senfleur Voyage, and Catrice, The Empire's Crown Prince, are currently dealing with. After capturing a ship that ran an illegal business, it's only natural for Elijah to do what's good and set the waves sailing back at it's right course by sending those sailors to prison. What he didn't expect was to find the Crown Prince of the Empire boarding on that exact ship! "I need your help. Take me to Gerevous," Catrice demanded. Gerevous? As if! The seas around Gerevous branded you good as dead! Elijah is crazy but not that crazy! "With the authority resting upon my shoulders, I'll help you find your sister." Elijah was sold! But who knew of the whirlpool accepting to help Catrice would send Elijah in? Will these two men actually manage to stop the world from falling apart from some disaster? And can the crown prince truly guarantee finding Elijah's long lost sister? The ocean has no way of telling him however these horrible dreams Elijah has been having are speaking of unsavory things...

**This book is in the viral competition. Support me by adding to library, gifting power stones, and golden tickets** . . Perhaps out of mercy, Ava Whitlock found herself reborn before all the tragedies - before her public image was ruined, before her career ended, before her real family disowned her existence and she was brutally murdered by the fake daughter her family had. . . All Ava Whitlock ever wanted in her whole existence was to have a family of her own, one which adored her and reciprocated her love. Her adoptive family were abusive, and when her real wealthy family descended from heaven, Ava thought the universe finally answered her prayer. Her prominent family were the owner of the Whitlock's conglomerate, the largest conglomerate in Lebron City. She had three powerful brothers: Jerome, the general manager of the conglomerate; Noah, the director of the conglomerate's firm; and Caspian, the best software engineer in all of Lebron City. Ava thought she had it all, but what she never expected was that her real family wanted nothing to do with her. They saw her as an eye-sore who was here to claim the position of their fake daughter, and they made no attempt to hide that they preferred the fake daughter to their flesh and blood. . On her death bed, Jerome, Ava's eldest brother asked, almost laughing, "Ava's at the point of death?" Her mother hissed before replying almost immediately, "Good. Let her rot." "Why are we being informed about this?" Noah, Ava's second brother asked. "Ava is no longer part of the Whitlock household after the little stunt she pulled. It's sickening that she still bears my household's name legally, but don't call me even if she's dead," her father said dryly. . . In this life, Ava had another mission. To stop her name from getting ruined publicly, and to earn her family's respect instead. She didn't care about her family's love anymore. But a lot of things changed in her new life that she didn't have answers to. How did she end up with three other guardian angels?! And why did they address her as their lovely little sister?! Also, how did she have a fiance in this new life who was dotting on her?

After a routine grocery run, Kyla and her brother, Kiloil, return home—only to find themselves in a world they no longer recognize. Their neighbor? A man with bunny ears. Kyla’s best friend? A tigress with three husbands. Their mother? Not only alive, but a powerful matriarch ruling over a clan—while their father is merely a divorced concubine. As if that weren’t enough, Kyla undergoes a second transformation, awakening as a panther beastman with lightning and water-based abilities. Now classified as an S-Grade Alpha, she’s suddenly one of the hottest commodity on the planet— Elite Omegas and Betas alike are competing for her hand in marriage. For this county bumpkin, she never signed up for this. But destiny has other plans. With war looming between beastmen and their ancient enemy—intergalactic aliens—Kyla and Kiloil must navigate power struggles, newfound responsibilities, and the dangerous secrets buried within their own past. Survival is no longer a choice. It’s a fight. —————— - Romance Novel with Harem and LGBTQ elements. The MC is straight, however. - Slow start and will pick up around chapter 11 - There will be time skips and different POVs - I’m writing this for fun, so don’t take it seriously

Author: Mikawa Ghost Cover, Illustrations: Hiten From classmates to brother and sister, living under the same roof. After his father's remarriage, Asamura Yuuta ends up getting a new stepsister, coincidentally the number one beauty of the school year, Ayase Saki. Having learned important values when it comes to man-woman relationships through the previous ones of their parents, they promise each other not to be too close, not to be too opposing, and to merely keep a vague and comfortable distance. On one hand, Saki, who has worked in solitude for the sake of her family, doesn't know how to properly rely on others, whereas Yuta is unsure of how to really treat her. Standing on fairly equal ground, these two slowly learn the comfortable sensation of living together. Their relationship slowly evolves from being strangers the more the days pass. Eventually, this could end up in a story about love for all we know.

Jerry's abusive father passed away and his mother married another man. He had a daughter named Luna who always has her guards up. She had never treated Jerry right despite having nothing against him or her father's marriage to his mother. Why does Luna treat Jerry poorly, read to find out.

"When tragedy strikes, Thonia and her brother Alex are left to pick up the pieces. Their parents' sudden death in a plane crash sends their world crashing down. But that's only the beginning. As their father's step-siblings swoop in to claim the family's wealth and properties, Thonia and Alex are reduced to servants in their own home. Will they find a way to reclaim their rightful inheritance, or will they be forever trapped in a life of servitude?"

Follow the extraordinary life of Celine, the daughter of a powerful king who, at a young age, was sent to live with another king in the kingdom of Persia due to war-related circumstances. Raised alongside the king's children, including Michael, whom she believed to be her siblings, Celine's world takes a dark turn when she discovers a sinister secret lurking within Michael. Tragedy strikes as Michael's family faces annihilation, and Celine finds herself captured, with Michael's unexpected love for her. This unexpected turn of events sends Michael on a relentless quest for vengeance, unraveling a complex web of power, betrayal, and dark forces. As Celine grapples with her identity and the bonds she thought were unbreakable, she must navigate a treacherous path filled with secrets and intrigue. "My Brother And I: A Path Full of Vengeance" is a gripping tale of love, betrayal, and the enduring bonds of family, set against the backdrop of a kingdom in turmoil and a brother's relentless pursuit of justice.