853 Results with the "Fiction" genre


    • Chapter VIII: In Strange Company Cover
      by LovelyMay Chapter VIII: In Strange Company begins not with excitement, but with a peaceful journey into the quiet beauty of the Ramapo Mountains. Lad accompanies the Mistress and Master on a camping trip, eager and alert, even in his older years. The serenity of the wild does not dull his senses—it sharpens them. As the family prepares to leave camp, an unintentional oversight leaves Lad tied near a tree, overlooked amid the bustle. He waits calmly, trusting that they will return, his gaze steady on the trail.…
    • Chapter X: The Intruders Cover
      by LovelyMay Chapter X: The Intruders begins with a rupture in routine, as the serene world of The Place is disturbed by unwelcome guests. The first sign of trouble emerges when a pig from neighboring land trespasses through a gap in the fence, rooting and tearing through the garden with destructive enthusiasm. Though not new to the sight of stray creatures, Lad regards pigs with specific disdain, rooted in past encounters that left scars both physical and emotional. Despite his advancing age, Lad’s instinct to…
    • Story

      One Basket

      One Basket Cover
      by LovelyMay One Basket is a collection of short stories by Edna Ferber, published in 1912. The stories explore themes of love, ambition, and human resilience, often set in small-town America. Ferber's sharp wit and keen observations of everyday life shine through in these character-driven narratives.
    • The Woman Who Tried to Be Good [1913] Cover
      by LovelyMay The Woman Who Tried to Be Good begins with the quiet shock of a town unprepared to witness a woman like Blanche Devine change her life. Her past had been whispered about for years—her name a permanent feature in hushed conversations and sidelong glances. But Blanche, with a will sharpened by solitude and a longing for something gentler, made a bold choice: to become respectable. She sold the house with its closed shutters and secrets, then bought a little white cottage near the edge of town. What…
    • The Gay Old Dog [1917] Cover
      by LovelyMay The Gay Old Dog opens with Jo Hertz, a middle-aged bachelor, navigating the lively streets of Chicago as troops prepare to march off to war. The festive chaos of the city contrasts sharply with Jo's internal stillness—a quiet longing that has been buried beneath years of indulgence and denial. While others look to the future with hope or fear, Jo stands suspended in the past, contemplating the pieces of life he never got to live. It is this emotional disconnect, set against a backdrop of patriotic…
    • That’s Marriage [1917] Cover
      by LovelyMay That's Marriage begins in an ordinary kitchen, with a cold cup of coffee and a remark that surprises them both. Terry’s half-laugh, half-sob response to Orville’s observation isn’t just about the coffee—it’s about something that’s been quietly missing between them. That he noticed at all seems unbelievable to her. After all, marriage has a way of dulling the edges, of turning attentiveness into routine, and love into assumption. But in that moment, something breaks open. A simple gesture…
    • Farmer in the Dell  [1919] Cover
      by LovelyMay Farmer in the Dell opens with Ben Westerveld quietly enduring a life he never wanted. Once a prosperous and hard-working farmer in southern Illinois, Ben has now retired to the city, pushed by his wife Bella's desire for a more modern lifestyle. In Chicago, surrounded by brick and noise, he finds himself restless and increasingly out of place. Though financially secure, his days are empty, stripped of the purpose and pride that came with managing his own land. While Bella thrives on shopping trips and…
    • Chapter

      CHAPTER 1

      CHAPTER 1 Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter opens with Avery, the protagonist, in the grand library of Hawthorne House, surrounded by reminders of the Hawthorne dynasty. Her lawyer, Alisa Ortega, insists on discussing her upcoming eighteenth birthday and the implications for her massive inheritance. Avery, however, is more focused on a bet with Jameson Hawthorne to uncover hidden passages in the mansion. Her dismissive attitude toward Alisa’s concerns highlights her determination to prioritize the game over her impending wealth and…
    • Chapter

      CHAPTER 2

      CHAPTER 2 Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter opens with the protagonist lying in bed, reminiscing about receiving a symbolic bronze key pin from Jameson and the Hawthorne brothers—a token marking her acceptance into their group. As she resists dwelling on a memory involving Grayson, she distracts herself by anonymously donating to charitable causes using her unlimited credit card, a privilege granted ahead of inheriting the Hawthorne fortune. The scene establishes her emotional ties to the family and her restless anticipation for…
    • Chapter

      CHAPTER 3

      CHAPTER 3 Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter opens with the protagonist reflecting on the chaotic weeks spent juggling charity events, school exams, and unanswered calls from Grayson. Amidst this turmoil, they find solace in honing their shooting skills at the Hawthorne estate's private range. Though uncomfortable with firearms, the protagonist recognizes the necessity of self-defense after surviving multiple life-threatening situations since inheriting Tobias Hawthorne's fortune. Nash, their mentor, praises their progress, highlighting…
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