The Cider House Rules Novels & Stories

“I am going to tell you the rules of the cage. If you enter, that means you herby agree with them. You may have your chance to list your own rules. Rule one: You cannot leave the cage until someone is either unconscious or taps out. If you try to jump the fence, my men will pick you up and throw your ass back in. Rule two: Queen Nina is going to send an electrical current through the metal. If you touch the fence, you will be electrocuted. Now it isn’t enough to kill you or even make you unconscious, but it will be enough that you feel it. Rule three and final rule: Everything counts.” Dad took his hand off Calvin’s shoulder and waited to see if he was going to enter or reject. The crowd was

‘You need to get rid of that sickroom pallor.’ ‘I can get that sitting peacefully in the garden while you’re practising being an uncle. And when you’ve got the hang of that, take a few years to work on your compliment skills.’ Then, quickly, before he was tempted to prove that he could pay a compliment along with the best of them, ‘Okay. There are just three rules.’ And she went through her ‘no’ list, ticking them off on her fingers. ‘No fizzy drinks. No chocolate. No fries.’

No more stressing over everyone's meals. No more cleaning from dawn to night. No more watching the grandkid, only to get blamed if something went wrong. I spent my whole life working for them. Now that I'm old, it's my turn to live. My turn to choose myself. Sitting in the inn's rocking chair, staring out at the lush green mountains, breathing in air that felt lighter, freer than anything I'd known— I felt reborn. *** By day fifteen of chilling at the inn, Claire called.

“You can be anywhere you want to be. Besides, you said you didn’t want to see my face.” “I also said I don’t like answering questions,” he takes a puff, “Or did you forget that particular phrase?” another puff, “Trust me, I don’t want to see you as much as you don’t want to see me. But I’m here to hand the rules of your stay here. You break it and you know what’s at stake.” “Go on,” I whisper. “Good,” he keeps me waiting by taking another puff from his cinnamon scented cigar, “First things first, you can never leave the house.”

The day before the college entrance exam, the class belle everyone adored stepped onto the podium. "I wasn't going to tell anyone, but I couldn't bear to let you all miss this opportunity. There's a hidden rule in this year's college entrance exam system. If you soak your answer sheet, it'll be transferred for a special manual review by top universities." I froze, staring at her for a long while before finally blinking dumbly. In my previous life, those exact words had been enough to make someone as dull as me lose my composure for the first time in my life. I ran to get the teacher and stopped the entire class from soaking their answer sheets. In the end, the class belle failed the exam

Vivian stared at me, stunned, before collapsing into uncontrollable sobs. "I... I just gave in to temptation! Please help me pay the taxes my company owes—or I'll go to prison. If you help me, I'll come home and be a full-time wife. I'll take good care of you, and we can have another child..." I couldn't listen anymore. I stood up and stepped away from her. "This house is my premarital property. Move out immediately, or I'll have your things thrown out on the street." Why would I want a full-time wife who cheats on me and tries to trap me with another man's child?

Jake’s POV The house had never felt so loud and it was not because anyone was shouting. In fact, it was the opposite. The silence had become unbearable. Marcus ensured he avoided me. If I walked into the kitchen, he suddenly remembered something outside. If I joined everyone by the pool, he’d volunteer to clean the grill or answer emails from work.

"And read this. These are the rules of this house. We need to be clear on how this is going to work." I opened the folder. The list was short and typed in a plain font. 1. No talking about the past. Ever. 2. No touching in private. We are business partners. 3. When the cameras are on, you are the person I love most in the world. I read the third rule twice. It felt like a slap in the face. "The person you love most? Isn't that a bit much?"

Ava’s POV There were only a few rules I lived by in college. Rule number one? Never fall for a jock. It wasn’t just a personal preference. It was survival; I had to avoid them in order to do well. I had seen too many smart girls throw away their GPA for a 6'0 something guy with biceps, a quarterback playboy and a bad attendance record. Not me, no way, I'll never do that, that's how I survived my first year in Westbridge University, and I'm not going to break that rule in my second year.

Ken was still present, and I covered my face, closing my eyes in mortification. "Pet," Romario growled in my ear, making me open my eyes. "I need you to remember a few rules for this party." He spoke seriously, and I sat up straight to listen. "First, don't drink anything offered to you." Easy enough, since I didn't drink alcohol anyway. "Second, don't speak unless asked a question, and be polite and respectful." I nodded, understanding. "Most importantly, don't leave my sight. I'll punish you if you break any of these rules, understand?" He pecked my lips, and I replied, "Yes, Master."