Wool Hugh Howey Novels & Stories

When I head over to my daughter, Hannah Westfield's place for dinner during Christmas Eve, I specifically wear a wool coat for the occasion. Unexpectedly, when Hannah sees me, she pushes me out of the front door instantly. "Mom, why must you buy the same coat as my mother-in-law did? Don't you know that she hates it when others imitate her? Hurry up and take off the coat before she sees you!" Meanwhile, my son-in-law, Thomas Clifford, digs out an old coat and puts it on me. "Mom, there are many relatives visiting our house today. Please spare my mom her pride and don't steal her thunder, okay?" Seeing how sincere Thomas looks, I decide to yield. But as soon as I take my seat, Giselle Johnson chortles in amusement as she stares at the old coat I'm wearing. "Oh Fiona, if you like my clothes, you could've just said so, and I'd give it to you. It's bad if you just steal my old coat from me and wear it, you know? Besides, don't you know that those who imitate always do a bad job at it?" Furious, I'm about to up and leave when Giselle grabs the coat and blocks my way. "I placed two money envelopes in the coat pockets a few days ago. There are 20 thousand dollars in there. Why are they gone after you've worn it? "I don't mind you wearing my coat behind my back, but you must return the money to me right now!"

He married her for the throne. She’s done waiting to be his queen. Gavin Hugh has it all, power, money, control. The only thing standing between him and the CEO title of his family empire is one condition: marriage. So he agrees to marry Arianna Owen, a stunning model and the daughter of his father’s best friend. But Gavin has rules: No love. No feelings. No touching. For five long years, Arianna obeyed. She wore the ring. She smiled in public. She slept alone. Until one day… she decides she’s done being invisible. Now, she’s using everything she’s got her body, her charm, her irresistible touch to seduce the man who’s always kept her at arm’s length. But Gavin’s resolve is shattering fast. The more she teases, the more he craves. And when the cold CEO finally loses control… the sheets won’t survive. But what happens when secrets come to light? When desire turns to love… and betrayal threatens to destroy them both? He wanted a partner in business. She’s about to become the woman he can’t live without.

Can we coexist, William? Or is one of us eventually going to have to leave for the other to stay?" "I don't plan for anyone leaving. Not unless we're all going.," I said. "You don't plan for anything you can't control," Elias countered. He reached out, his hand hovering near the sleeve of my sweater before he actually touched it. His fingers gripped the wool, his knuckles brushing the skin of my forearm. "What happened in 2018, William?” He asked softly. “A small cottage in upstate New York. Bought and sold in six months. No profit. No record of who stayed there." I felt the blood drain from my face. My hand moved instinctively, catching his wrist, my grip tighter than I intended. "Stop digging," I hissed, my voice a low, lethal vibration. "You’re hurting me," Elias whispered, but he didn't pull away. He leaned in, his eyes wide and dark, searching mine. "Tell me what was there, Will. Tell me who you were before you married my mother." "There was nothing in the cottage." I said, my heart hammering a frantic rhythm. I released his wrist, my hand shaking as I pulled it back. "Tell your friend to stop. Now." Elias looked at his wrist, the red marks of my fingers already beginning to bloom against his pale skin. He didn't look angry. He looked... fascinated. "So you can lose control" he breathed, a slow, triumphant smile spreading across his face. "You're just a man good at maintaining it." His eyes were wide with interest. ************************** After his father's death and the mother remarried three months later, Elias is furious and out for revenge. As he digs into his stepfather's secrets,he finds some he can use against him and some that makes him confused about his feelings towards him.

Inconvenient Love follows Claire Hugh, a marketing analyst burdened by her family's financial crisis. To settle her father's debts, Claire is married off to Alexander Vermont, a billionaire CEO focused on reclaiming his father's empire. Their union, born out of necessity, masks a deeper connection from a chance encounter at a club a year prior, where they shared a passionate night, unaware of each other's identity. Claire, haunted by her family's rejection and Alexander's lingering attachment to his first love, Aubrey Chen, navigates a loveless marriage marred by neglect and emotional distance. As Claire discovers her pregnancy, she faces a dilemma: reveal the truth and risk losing the baby in her womb, fearing that Alexander would force her to terminate the pregnancy, or hide her pregnancy and secure a divorce and escape the country. Believing Alexander desires freedom as much as she does, Claire presents him with divorce papers, only to be met with silence. Determined to move on, she leaves for Hong Kong, building a new life and business with her best friend while raising her child. Years later, Alexander realizes his mistake and searches for Claire, unaware she had left the country. Their reunion sparks confusion, misunderstandings, and eventually, a revelation of their shared past. Alexander's refusal to sign the divorce papers and his desperate search for Claire highlight his realization of love and regret. The story culminates in a poignant reconciliation as Alexander pleads for a second chance, promising a proper marriage and genuine affection. Claire, torn between past hurts and newfound hope, ultimately forgives him, unveiling the truth about their history and the child they share. Inconvenient Love is a gripping tale of love tested by circumstance, secrets, and second chances, weaving a narrative of redemption, forgiveness, and the transformative power of true love.

I’d just set sail to escort the cargo to the border when a Category 8 typhoon warning suddenly blared. I steer the ship back in the direction of the harbor, only to realize that the ship has run out of fuel. The distress beacon has been dismantled, too. Immediately, I pick up the radio and call the maritime rescuers for help. As soon as the call gets connected, I hear my wife, Melanie Watkins' mocking laughter instead. "I've already rewired the emergency number so that you can never reach the rescuers. Have fun surviving in the ocean!" Her student, Darell Parker, is with her as well. "Remember when you made fun of me for not knowing how to swim, Clifton? Well, now you're given the chance to show off your swimming skills! You can swim all the way back to the shore on your own! You'd better not be as slow as the sea turtles!" The waves have almost capsized the cargo ship. If I can't get rescued anytime soon, I'll end up dying in the sea. I can only grit my teeth before pleading to Melanie, "No one can possibly swim back to shore! Help me call the maritime rescuers—" But she laughs coldly in return. "Why do you need the rescuers' help? Didn't you say one must learn how to protect themselves? Now swim! "If you think the waters are too cold, then swim faster! Maybe you'll feel warmer the faster you swim!" I give up on arguing with Melanie. After that, I head toward the cargo area with a blade in hand and get ready to sever the ropes tying the cargo down. Said cargo contains the ransom money that's capable of saving Ella Zimmerman, the daughter of Hugh Zimmerman, the wealthiest man in Starbury.