820 Results with the "Fiction" genre


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      Chapter 16

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      by testsuphomeAdmin In Chapter 16, the morning after a turbulent night, Lila appears uncharacteristically subdued as she navigates a severe hangover. Despite her earlier emotional outburst about rejecting her impending marriage to Gary, she now resumes her usual energetic demeanor, though clearly exhausted and disillusioned. Lila’s reluctance to participate in the planned surfing lesson, a gesture initially meant to please her stepson Juice, reveals her growing disenchantment with the wedding festivities. Phoebe, observing…
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      Chapter 17

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      by testsuphomeAdmin In Chapter 17, Phoebe anticipates a visit from Lila before the Blending of the Families event but is met with silence, leaving her to wrestle with feelings of guilt and confusion. She reflects on the joy she experienced with Gary earlier in the day, a feeling she thought was no longer possible for her. Despite feeling unsure, Phoebe resolves to express gratitude to Lila by preparing her maid of honor speech, though she struggles to find the right words after recent conversations that have cast doubt on the…
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      Chapter 18

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      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter opens with Lila stopping by early in the morning, preoccupied with a power outage that threatens her flower arrangements. She casually mentions Gary’s inability to walk due to a surfing injury, revealing her anxiety about the upcoming wedding day. Phoebe is asked to take Gary on errands, a responsibility she feels conflicted about as she’s supposed to be letting go. Despite her reservations, Phoebe prepares for her speech that evening, only to find it overly candid and disconnected from the…
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      Chapter 19

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      by testsuphomeAdmin Chapter 19 unfolds against the backdrop of Lila’s wedding rehearsal at the Breakers, where the atmosphere is a blend of solemn tradition and subtle tension. Patricia, Lila’s mother, appears sober yet weary, hinting at underlying complexities. The event planner Nancy meticulously arranges the wedding party by importance, emphasizing the sanctity of the historic venue with strict instructions to avoid touching anything except one's spouse. Amid this formal setting, quieter moments emerge: Phoebe, a…
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      Chapter 20

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      by testsuphomeAdmin In Chapter 20, Phoebe confronts the sudden and unexpected presence of her estranged husband, Matt, who arrives at her hotel room unannounced. Their interaction is tense and awkward, marked by silence and unspoken emotions. Matt’s confusion upon seeing Phoebe with another man, Gary, and her daughter Juice highlights the complexities of their fractured relationship. Despite the physical distance and emotional barriers that have grown between them, Matt still clings to the identity of being Phoebe’s…
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      Chapter 21

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      by testsuphomeAdmin Chapter 21 opens with Phoebe waking beside a man she perceives as strange and unfamiliar, highlighting her internal conflict and disorientation. She wrestles with her feelings of guilt and confusion, especially since today is Gary’s wedding day, yet her connection to her husband feels tenuous and awkward. The presence of Aunt Gina and Uncle Gerald in their wedding attire contrasts with Phoebe’s inner turmoil, emphasizing the disparity between outward celebrations and her private doubts. Despite the…
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      Chapter 6

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      by testsuphomeAdmin Phoebe awakens in the quiet aftermath of a wedding party, grappling with the heavy weight of her grief and the persistent restlessness that haunts her at three a.m.—the so-called "grief hour." Struggling against the dark thoughts that once led her to a suicide attempt, she resists the urge to dwell on painful memories or to seek solace in social media, which only deepens her despair. Instead, Phoebe chooses to focus on small, manageable actions that affirm her will to live, rejecting the cycle of…
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      Chapter 22

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      by testsuphomeAdmin In Chapter 22, Phoebe takes a solitary drive to the Breakers in a champagne-stocked Mercedes, reflecting on the lives of the wealthy and their hidden desires. Her fascination with nineteenth-century novels about the rich frames her thoughts on what people truly need beyond material wealth. The chapter opens with Phoebe contemplating the emotional void a bride might feel, even amid a grand wedding setting, setting a tone of introspection and questioning the nature of happiness and fulfillment. Phoebe then…
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      Chapter 7

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      by testsuphomeAdmin In Chapter 7, Phoebe and Matt, two graduate students in a philosophy department, initially share a silent companionship as they focus intensely on completing their dissertations before their sixth year ends. Their routine is abruptly interrupted by a power outage, which forces them to interact. Matt’s calm assurance in the face of lost work offers Phoebe a new sense of comfort, sparking the beginning of a connection between them. This moment marks a shift from isolated academic labor to shared human…
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      Chapter 23

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      by testsuphomeAdmin Chapter 23 opens with a subdued atmosphere at the Cornwall hotel following the abrupt cancellation of a wedding. The usual celebratory mood has vanished, replaced by an awkward silence and a sense of discomfort among the guests and staff alike. Pauline, the hotel employee, reflects this shift with a more solemn demeanor as she handles inquiries and logistical issues, such as the non-refund of spa fees and the reopening of amenities. Meanwhile, Phoebe observes her friends Nat and Suz quietly processing the…
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