Fail Better Book Novels & Stories

Alas, just as I was enjoying my meal, someone barged in uninvited. “Well, look at this. I didn’t expect you to be doing okay on your own!” It was Harlan. There was mockery in his expression. “Have you really fallen so low that you’re picking up trash now? Why don’t you contact your dad’s old friends and try to revive your career? Afraid you won’t be able to compete with us? Hahaha!” Lana stepped in calmly, kicking my door down as she entered. “Oh, Dana, I didn’t expect someone who used to be so high and mighty to end up living in a slum one day!”

"You can't even close a simple deal? If you couldn't do it, you should've just said so! How can you be this useless?" My smile stiffened. I didn't even get the chance to say, "Happy anniversary." There were so many nights I spent drinking with clients just to make sure Clement got every opportunity. I went too far tonight, and my stomach gave out, leaving me collapsed at their feet. Before I fainted, I saw the clients across from me give me a look full of mockery. The clients' and Clement's voices came through the line at once. "Relax, Queen Vivi. We've got that fool jumping through hoops!"

I failed once, this time there was no space for failure. Lurther would die.

Because for the first time— The entity could not complete its process. It could not be reduced. It could not decide. It could not be removed. The child whispered— “You don’t understand me.” And for the first time— The entity responded with something that was not logical. Not principle. Not certainty. A single, unstable concept: Error. The fracture shook. Not expanding. Not collapsing. But destabilizing. Because something within its process— Had failed. And failure— It was not something it was built to handle. The world held its breath. Because this was no longer an adaptation.

Haven huffed a laugh. “That bad?” “She used the voice.” “The calm one?” “The terrifying calm one.” He sat beside her on the couch. For a minute neither spoke. Then Donovan nudged the papers slightly. “You know this matters because they think you can do it, right?” Haven looked down. “It still feels bad.” “Yeah.” “You’re not going to say losing gracefully builds character?” “No. Losing sucks.” That surprised another laugh out of her. Donovan’s expression softened. “But failing at small things now is safer than failing at big things later.”

I say vaguely. “Ah,” he says, his green eyes understanding. “The worst kind. Mine think I’m a charming failure. Yours?” “Think I’m a disappointing success,” I say before I can stop myself. He laughs, a rich, wonderful sound. “I like that. A disappointing success. There’s a poem in that.”

* * * * * "13 years ago, I pledged to love you, hold you, and cherish you in times of trouble and sickness but the past years have made me realize that most words are easier said than done. I fell out of this vow occasionally and even thought of letting you go at some point but one thing I will ever remain grateful for is that I didn't succumb to the idea of forfeiting this rare treasure just because of a trivial challenge. I hereby come again, to renew my vows, promising to love you no matter the circumstances, whether in health or sickness, in times of troubles or bliss, for Better or For Worse, till my last breath." "On our wedding day, I made a vow to love you, be faithful and loyal to y

Naturally, he had no energy left to deal with company affairs. Charles was already dissatisfied with his recent performance. Now, with Jayden constantly disappearing every few days, things finally boiled over when a subordinate reported a major failure in one of Jayden's projects. Charles lost it. "Jayden! Are you trying to hand this company over to someone else? If you can't even handle something this small, what else are you good for? You're useless!" During a high-level executive meeting, Charles slammed his hand on the table and laid it on Jayden.

Anna encouraged but her words only weakened me the more. Each word felt like a stab at my chest, I found it difficult to breath. My head throbbed with pain as I sobbed softly, not wanting Anna to hear me. But she did. “Georgia, this isn't the time to be weak. You have to be strong. So what if he betrayed you and cheated on you? It just shows how lowly he can be. Now it's time for you to fight back, show him you can live without him as well! You deserve better!”