The Giver Online Novels & Stories

"She's your sister-in-law, after all, and Alvin was gone too soon. Since we're all family, I thought it'd be nice if she became our baby's godmother. What do you think?" I looked him dead in the eye. There wasn't a single shred of guilt in them. He had somehow managed to dress up a shameful affair with his widowed sister-in-law—and their illegitimate child—as nothing more than a benevolent husband showing compassion to a grieving widow. "Sure." I nodded apathetically. Craig nodded in satisfaction before turning around and picking up a thermal flask. He then headed out to get some water. My gaze drifted to the postpartum mesh underwear on my nightstand. It was Verna's size.

He casually ordered me, “Wesley, pick those books up for me.” I did not move. Furious, Simon grabbed my arm. “Aren’t you being ungrateful? Look at what you’re wearing! That would’ve been mine. I gave it to you!” I frowned and said, “You gave it to me? Didn’t you decide by yourself that you didn’t get enough and wanted me to walk the same path as you did in the previous timeline?”

His gaze felt like an X‑ray, as if he wanted to look straight through me. I did not look away. I met his gaze with a numb calm. After a long silence, he smiled and pulled his hand back. He tossed the burn ointment onto the nightstand. “Fine. Go. But you must return on February sixteenth. It is my birthday. I want you to give yourself to me as a gift.” He leaned close to my ear, and his teeth brushed my earlobe. “You need to be clean and fresh.” I pushed down the nausea in my stomach and nodded. “Okay.”

“This isn’t liquor. It's just plain water! No taste at all!” The others who had taken a sip also frowned and spat it out. “It’s really just water!” “What’s going on? Water in a whisky bottle?” “That’s just messed up!” The whole room erupted. My in-laws’ faces turned green instantly. “That’s right. It’s just bottled water.” I gave Kevin a cold stare and added, “Every year, he takes 100,000 dollars from me to prepare New Year’s gifts, and this is what he sends to my parents. Plain water that costs two dollars. He bought it online. Even the packaging is recycled boxes.

His love was real, but it was too light, like something floating on the surface, gone with the slightest touch. I understood, suddenly, that this would happen again and again. He would give me new things and keep giving the old things to someone else. My child would learn that what she had could be taken away at any moment. Dante came toward me when I did not speak. He bent down, his eyes on my belly, his voice soft. "Baby, Daddy will buy you new things. The prettiest dresses, the softest cashmere. Okay?" He straightened, pinched my cheek, and returned to his familiar, easy tone. "Do not make that face. I will make it up to you. I promise."

“How could this be?” The viewers were also filled with questions. “Who did it?” “It’s no ordinary gift. It’s priceless! It’s far more valuable than what Stephen offered!” “The thought behind the gift is what matters. A community and awards are nothing in comparison to that photo.” “The enemy is dead. Now, everyone can finally sleep peacefully, and their loved ones can rest in peace.” Everyone was curious to know who sent the gift. Who could have delivered such an incredible gift? Even Stephen, the Grand Marshal’s mentee, could not pull it off.

“Calliope? My neighbor?” “That’s the one!” Mara’s bright pink lipstick curved up mischievously. “Didn’t she say she runs some matchmaking thing? Like, actual matchmaking not the cheap dating apps that give you guys with fishing photos and criminal records.” Lena sighed but couldn’t help the tiny smile forming. Aunt Calliope Wilder, who lived just across the hall from her, was a whirlwind of eccentric charm. Most elderly neighbors handed out cookiesCalliope handed out prophecies and unsolicited relationship analysis. Lena adored her.

I'm going to tell Mom and Dad you've been picking on me! [Viola, are you dead out there? Actually, it's better this way. I took the only thing that could have saved you—the Miracle Elixir. Now, death is your only choice! Just die already, it's better this way!] Dozens of venomous curses followed—each one so vicious that even the officers who had followed us fell into stunned silence. "Did... Jane sent these?" Charlie's hands trembled uncontrollably. He couldn't believe what he was reading, and the realization hit him like a physical blow—he was one of the people who had contributed to his daughter's death!

No new messages. 7:25 p.m. Her smile began to fade. “Maybe traffic,” she murmured, dialing his number. Busy. She frowned and tried again. Still busy. Minutes stretched painfully into an hour. By 8:00 p.m., the movie had already started. Amelia stood alone, surrounded by laughter and movement, yet she had never felt more invisible. Her chest tightened. Did I misunderstand something? She tried calling again. Busy. Her fingers trembled as disappointment settled heavily in her heart. Embarrassment followed close behind. People passed her, casting curious glances at the woman still standing alone at the entrance.

“You’re a good woman, Evelyn.” “Any man would want you, but I’m not that man anymore.” I know eight years is a very long time, and I’ve wasted your time. I know this will be very hard for you, but you have to accept it. You deserve better." He slid the paper across the tablecloth. It moved with a terrifying finality, stopping just inches from my water glass. "Here," he said, his voice devoid of the warmth that had greeted me when I came in. "This is a cheque of ten thousand dollars. Use it to start a new life for yourself."