Picking Around Emily Rath

I found a girl of unknown origin outside; she claims to be a time traveler from a post-apocalyptic era. Great calamity is imminent, with abominations spreading across the land, human civilization annihilated, and even the world itself shattering, all beyond redemption. As for myself, I am considering how to confine this beautiful girl, who has temporarily lost her powers, within my home.

Emily is a bold and beautiful woman who is thrust into the chaotic world of public scrutiny when her relationship with playboy artist Ryan becomes the talk of the town. After a scandalous revelation of her past, Emily flees to Florida, where fate leads her to Nicholas Blanco, a grieving billionaire who unknowingly becomes her father and unwavering support. While Emily rebuilds her life, Ryan is lost without her, only to find himself in a toxic relationship with a manipulative model. Years later, a business collaboration forces Emily and Ryan to face their unresolved feelings, but old wounds and jealousies threaten their second chance at love. As Emily and Ryan navigate the dangers of their past, Emily must confront the heartbreaking loss of her father and the perilous schemes of Ryan’s jealous baby mama. In the end, it’s love, sacrifice, and the promise of a new beginning that brings them together for an unforgettable reunion.

Mum ran away, dad's crippled, and I'm about to be sold to a brothel. Qiao Xiaomai rolled up her sleeves in anger: If you've taken from me, regurgitate it. If you've seized what's mine, return it. All scumbags, clear off. A certain man finished tidying up the mess, rolled up his sleeves and pulled Qiao Xiaomai into a light laugh: "My lady, if you're this fiery and domineering at night, your husband..." Qiao Xiaomai raised an eyebrow, patted the spot next to her: "My dear, come warm the bed~"

Through years of abuse and death threats, Ye Jian is not so ready to bid adieu to this world just yet! Fortunately, destiny has granted her another shot at life. Only this time, she is determined to become the master of her own fate and retaliate her oppressors from her previous life. It's payback time. Although reborn with beauty and youth, Ye Jian obviously holds higher pursuits. In this life, she is determined to become an extraordinary commando. No, she does not need love, family, or any affection! He is born in a powerful family; and step-by-step, he becomes the youngest Major General through his own merits. He is drawn to her every move, despite her repeatedly shunning him. "What you need is love, my little fox," he whispers. "Get lost! I need bullets!" She steps away. Behold. Let this novel take you through the warm, happy, loyal, and passionate story of the aggressive military couple.

An action-packed, expandable race that starts in Hollywood, ends in Spain, and later continues. Racing teams partner up and then race from state to state, country to country, and continent to continent, trying to get ahead of the other racers so they can win. If something terrible happens to a racing team, they might get disqualified from the race and then get replaced with another team, but they might be seen again and then get let back in the race.

Once upon a time, in the bustling city of New York, I decided to take a chance on Bitcoin investments. I had heard from friends and colleagues about the potential for immense profits in the cryptocurrency market, and I was eager to get in on the action. I started small, investing a few hundred dollars in Bitcoin and watching as the value of my investment soared. I was thrilled with the returns I was seeing and quickly poured more and more money into my Bitcoin portfolio. As the weeks passed, my investments continued to grow, and I began to dream of a life of luxury and financial independence. I quit my job and devoted all of my time and energy to managing my Bitcoin investments, eagerly watching the markets and making trades to maximize my profits. However, what I didn't realize was that the cryptocurrency market is incredibly volatile and unpredictable. One day, disaster struck - the value of Bitcoin plummeted, wiping out a significant portion of my investment. Panicked and devastated, I scrambled to salvage what was left of my funds, but it seemed like all hope was lost. Desperate for a solution, I turned to the internet for help. After hours of searching, I stumbled upon Digital Hack Recovery, a company specializing in Bitcoin investment recovery. Intrigued, I reached out to them for assistance, hoping against hope that they could help me recoup my losses. To my relief, Digital Hack Recovery responded promptly and assured me that they could help me recover my lost funds. With a renewed sense of hope, I eagerly handed over all of my information and waited anxiously for news of my recovery. Days turned into weeks, and I began to lose faith in Digital Hack Recovery. But just when I was on the brink of giving up, I received a call from the company with incredible news - they had successfully recovered a significant portion of my lost funds. Overjoyed, I couldn't believe my luck. With the help of Digital Hack Recovery, I had managed to turn my devastating losses into a second chance at financial security. Grateful beyond words, I vowed to never again take such risks with my investments and to always seek out professional help when needed. From that day on, I became an advocate for responsible investing, urging others to learn from my mistakes and to never underestimate the dangers of the volatile cryptocurrency market. Thanks to them, I’m not just back on track with my Bitcoin journey, but I’m also more informed and confident in my future investments. For fast assistance contact Digital Hack Recovery through⁚ WhatsApp⁚ +19152151930 Website⁚ https://digitalhackrecovery.com Email⁚ digitalhackrecovery@techie.com

Claire Harper, once the privileged daughter of a wealthy family, faces a harsh reality after her family’s bankruptcy and her father’s mysterious disappearance. Determined to repay her father’s debts, she breaks off her engagement to Ethan Sterling, despite his unwavering loyalty. When a chance encounter with a gravely ill elderly man, George Cross, leads to an unexpected proposal to marry his grandson, Nathan, Claire’s life takes a dramatic turn. Nathan, a once-impoverished classmate turned secret billionaire, reluctantly agrees to the marriage. What begins as a practical arrangement soon uncovers hidden emotions, past rivalries, and the challenge of balancing love, family, and redemption.

An early death. A past forgotten. Three people connected by the thread of fate. The Lartengarten family is know to be the cradle of prodigies in swordsmanship, magic and strategy, and as such they've served their kingdom well, sometimes even to their detriment. When the shadow of war looms closer to their family house, Wulfgar, Rheann and Raelynn must make their choices before they are dragged into a conflict that knows no end. For that, they are gonna need power, even if they want to run from their past lifes. Also posted on Royal Road: https://www.royalroad.com/profile/588417/fictions

In a world ruled filled with runes, Matt is reborn at the lowest rung of society. But Matt is no stranger to politics and power. Once a soldier and a cunning leader who bent entire nations to his will, death could not erase his sins—or rather his ambition. This new world is far from simple. Yet, Matt carries more than memories of his past life—he wields powers so extraordinary that they could turn kings into beggars and saints into monsters. But with great power comes an unsettling truth. As cryptic messages flood his vision— _____________ [ You have obtained the Divine ability- Cursed Re… ] [ You have obtained the Divine ability- Demonix Blo… ] ... [ Would you like to tranform your rune into... ] ... [ You have slained the Slug win... ] [ You gained... ] _____________ And with each surge of his newfound abilities, a disturbing realization takes hold: Matt is no longer certain he’s even human. What has he become—a monster, a weapon, or something far more terrifying? Something vast, unknowable, and merciless stirs in the shadows, pulling the strings of fate. Caught in its game, Matt must decide whether to embrace this power or risk being consumed by it. In a realm where deceit rules, strength speaks, and the line between salvation and damnation is razor-thin, Matt must decide what it means to live, to fight, and to survive. _____________ The main character of this novel is slightly based on Fang Yuan. Though, he will have a borderline. This will have Talent awakening, some mystery, Op abilities, beast mastery and a lot more... For faster updates, show your support. Read my review for more details...

Wen Lin is one of the few people born with a mutated gene. As a commander and leading scientist, he has plenty of enemies. However, what happens when the enemy he so wishes to kill and find is his own biological brother? What happens when he finally meets the man who is responsible for his wife being in a coma and being separated from his son? To save his brother from punishment, and get an antidote to save his wife from death, he is forced to embark on a dangerous mission. Wen Lin has to change places with his brother and work for the bad guys. He leaves his brother to take his place in his work and his place as the father of his children and husband to his wife. Will his wife recognize the switch? Will they be able to end the operation successfully with no mishaps? Wen Lin stood by the door leading to the hospital room, where the beautiful woman rested. He softly called out her name, with no intention of walking inside. He could not walk inside, he did not have the courage to say goodbye. PS: cover not mine, from pinterest cover rights to owner. https://patreon.com/user?u=83250134&utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=join_link

Mu An has traveled to a world composed of multiple urban fantasy novels. Despite having top-notch looks, immense wealth, and great power, he is destined to become a stepping stone for numerous protagonists to show off and ultimately end up in a situation where his family is destroyed and he is left with nothing. Fortunately, the Great Villain System has successfully loaded; as long as he causes emotional fluctuations in the female lead, he can earn countless rewards, including insights into future plot developments! Protagonists: Damn it! How could he know our next move every time? Is there a traitor among us!? Mu An, however, smiles slightly. Sorry, but as a villain, I am a professional! ................................................................. Disclaimer: All rights to the original content belong to their respective creators. For advance chapters: p@treon.com/ShinningNovelTranslations (replace @ with a) Translated Original Name: 反派：我在女主身边捡奖励 Author: 蓝凉

Caught between love, betrayal, and ambition, Emily Yates finds herself entangled in a web of power struggles and hidden secrets. When a chance encounter with the enigmatic Nathan Moore pulls her into a dangerous world of corporate wars and forbidden desires, Emily must navigate her own feelings and the shadowy motives of those around her. As she fights to reclaim her independence and unravel the chains of her past, Emily discovers that trust can be as fragile as love and just as easily shattered. Will she break free or become a pawn in this deadly game?

Ethan Grayson has it all: a multi-billion-dollar company, a penthouse view, and a personality so charming it’s borderline unbearable. But after one too many dinner dates with women who talk more about his stock portfolio than their hobbies, Ethan decides he’s done with high society. His grand plan? Marry a “normal” woman who doesn’t care about his money. Simple, right? Enter Emily Carter, a bookshop employee who thinks a “luxury” is buying two cups of coffee in one day. She’s witty, stubborn, and entirely unimpressed when Ethan waltzes into her shop one afternoon, throwing around compliments like confetti. For Ethan, Emily is everything he’s looking for: genuine, grounded, and refreshingly immune to his usual charm. There’s just one tiny problem. Ethan’s arrogance is the size of his bank account, and Emily has no patience for egotistical billionaires—no matter how good their jawline is. As Ethan awkwardly tries to “woo” Emily in the most unromantic ways possible (think unsolicited business advice and overly generous tips), Emily starts to wonder if this handsome stranger might actually have a heart hidden under all that bravado. But when she discovers his real reason for pursuing her, all bets are off. Will Ethan learn to drop his ego long enough to win Emily’s trust? Or will Emily decide that some books are better left closed?

Emily is a particularly skilled Mage who is as unusual as she is remarkable. Little do the people around her know, Emily is actually the extension of a religiously significant tree. More than that, Emily only exists because this tree seeks to murder a God. Follow Emily as she journeys across the continent, meeting people, embarking on quests, and digging for the clues that will give her the power to slay a God.

CAN TWO WRONGS MAKE a RIGHT? Follow the journey of a girl name Angelina Jules,who turn from Angelina to lamashtu[a female demon]after she witness her parent death who were brutally killed by the enemy. Through her journey she met Oliver star the most richest and handsome man in the country who also has a secret identity called [abaddon a devil]. Oliver said possessively .."SHE'S MINE,she's too innocent for this world I want to protect her "...But is she innocent?

"En una gran ciudad, donde los secretos se ocultan en las sombras, dos amigas se unen por un pasado doloroso. Emily, marcada por un trauma profundo, encuentra en Anya un apoyo, una conexión que la ayuda a enfrentar sus miedos. Anya, una artista atormentada por visiones, encuentra en Emily una musa, una inspiración que le da sentido a su mundo. Sin embargo, cuando una serie de asesinatos sacude la ciudad y las obras de Anya muestran una inquietante similitud con los crímenes, la delgada línea entre la inspiración y la obsesión se vuelve cada vez más borrosa. Un detective, intrigado por el vínculo entre ambas mujeres, se adentra en un laberinto de pistas y secretos, donde la realidad se desdibuja y la línea entre la verdad y la ficción se vuelve cada escenario de un juego mortal."

Cariann was just an ordinary man preparing for a new college year... when he got his life turned upside down. He found his body turned into a woman's... with a Dick. Not only does Cariann... well, now Carene has to fend off the lusty men around her, but a few ladies have begun to stalk her too. However, her interest lies firmly with her family... Will Carene submit under the pressure or take charge of her new fate? --------------------------------------- Alternate Names: Living My Life As A Futanari Note: Some story arcs may not have back-to-back smut scenes (happened twice so far with a gap of 20 chaps, no less in Ch 36-Ch 50 & Ch 52-Ch74) due to plot constraints. And that may happen once more until the smut becomes a continuous thing. Apologies to those expecting a hardcore smut series.

Thrillers from around the world, featuring: Men stalked by a hungry polar bear. Hunting the last Barbary lion. Two rivals hunting each other in the Amazon. A desk worker planning to kill his rival. A rock 'n' roll band accidentally committing murder. And many more.

In a world where werewolves reign, Alpha Thomas rules his pack brutally with an iron fist, using Emily as nothing more than a pawn in his games. But when they discover they are mates, their tumultuous relationship takes a darker turn as Alpha Thomas brutally rejects her and had her thrown in the Pack's Dungeon. Meanwhile, Alpha Drake, a fearless leader known for his birthday tradition of visiting other packs, is thrown into a dangerous game of politics when his father insists he visit Costa pack. Little does he know, this visit will change the course of his life forever. As fate would have it, Alpha Drake saw Emily, imprisoned in Costa's pack's dungeon. Determined to rescue her, he must face off against Alpha Thomas who wasn't prepared to let her go without a fight. Emily, now bonded to Alpha Drake, and in a newfound position grappled with the desire for vengeance against the man who betrayed and rejected her. How brutal was her comeback against Alpha Thomas? Join Alpha Drake and Luna Emily on a thrilling voyage of mate bond, loyalty, crisis, and the ultimate quest for justice in Savage Moonlight: Luna Emily's Battle for Vengeance.

In a world where magic is feared and rebellion simmers, Emily, a passionate baker, is thrust into a quest to save her land from famine caused by withering crops. Guided by the ancient Goddess Hecate, Emily joins forces with her brother Eric, the head guard Lucas, and other allies. Together, they navigate political intrigue and uncover hidden threats, striving to restore peace and unity to their divided world while Emily harnesses newfound powers to heal the land.

*Prologue* As sunset painted the horizon, the family of four embarked on their journey, excitement radiating from the car. Twin sisters Emma and Emily chattered in the backseat, their contrasting personalities shining through. Emma, the introverted twin, was selective with her words, only opening up around family, while Emily bubbled with enthusiasm. Jack turned to engage the girls, oblivious to the speeding car ahead. Tragedy struck without warning. Screeching tires, shattered glass, and chaos engulfed them. The car crashed, sending Emma flying out of the vehicle. When dust settled, Jack and Sarah lay motionless, their lives slipping away. Emily, dazed and terrified, frantically searched for Emma, but she vanished. Unbeknownst to Emily, Emma's fate took a mysterious turn. A bystander, witness to the accident, rushed to her aid, whisking her away to an uncertain destiny. Was Emma truly saved, or did her rescue herald a new era of challenges? *Eight Years Later* Emily thrived in a world of privilege, surrounded by loving adoptive parents. She blossomed into a confident, outgoing young woman, encircled by close friends. Yet, the ache of losing her twin lingered, fueling her relentless quest to reunite. But how could she find someone existing beyond her realm? Meanwhile, Emma's life veered drastically. In a futuristic metropolis, advanced technology and alternate dimensions converged. Under a scientist's guidance, Emma navigated wonders and hardships, forging an unrecognizable identity.

In 2024, Chen Xiao is thrown into a parallel world where, in 1924, gates opened, unleashing monsters. With a newfound pick-up system, Chen Xiao aims to rise from society's bottom to become the strongest Awakener. Preferring solo confrontations, he's not above using others to get ahead.

"Moonlit Whispers: A Chilling Tale of Love and Betrayal" takes readers on a captivating journey into the enigmatic world of Emily and Alexander. Set against the backdrop of a remote and eerie mansion nestled deep in the woods, their passionate love story unfolds under the haunting glow of the moonlight. Emily, a reclusive artist haunted by her own tragic past, finds solace in the solitude of the mansion. However, her world is turned upside down when she encounters the charismatic and mysterious Alexander, a man with a dark secret of his own. As their intense romance blossoms, the mansion's ominous history resurfaces, casting doubts and shadows over their relationship. Unexplained occurrences and eerie whispers heighten the suspense, leaving Emily torn between her feelings for Alexander and the chilling secrets that threaten to consume them both. Betrayal lurks around every corner as Emily delves deeper into the mansion's history, unearthing a web of deceit and treachery that challenges the very foundation of their love. As the moonlight reveals hidden truths and sinister motives, Emily must confront the haunting past and make a heart-wrenching decision that will shape their fate forever. "Moonlit Whispers" is a chilling tale that weaves together the intoxicating allure of romance with the spine-tingling suspense of betrayal, ultimately revealing that love and darkness can intertwine in ways unimaginable. Will Emily and Alexander's love withstand the sinister forces at play, or will their passion be consumed by the shadows of their own secrets?

Emily, a young girl, is trapped in a toxic home environment with her father and stepmother, who constantly belittle and abuse her. Her life is a constant struggle to maintain her sanity and sense of self. Emily's father remarried after her mother's supposed death, but Emily's never accepted her stepmother. As Emily navigates her treacherous home life, she begins to uncover secrets about her mother's past and the circumstances surrounding her disappearance. Her desire for revenge against her father and stepmother grows, but she's also desperate to find the truth about her mother.

ONGOING | BOOK COVER ILLUSTRATED BY CHADLER EJERCITO CASTILLO *** First Master Ruyin, who had lost his wife years earlier, formed an alliance with the newly widowed Nightfall Empress Dowager, Xuwen, at the request of his older brother, the Emperor of the Heavenly Empire. This union was a strategic move to protect her son, the newly ascended Nightfall Emperor, from trials and doubts cast by rival clans within the Nightfall Empire regarding his early ascension to the throne. Xichen, the young Nightfall Emperor, did not oppose this arrangement. In fact, he recognized that this alliance would be advantageous to both sides. The tie not only secured peace between the Heavenly Empire and the Nightfall Empire citizens but also sealed a treaty preventing either side-who had long been embroiled in endless conflict-from eventually engaging in war. Once the alliance was sealed, First Master Ruyin and his only son, Young Master Ruan, decided to establish their residence within the Nightfall Empire. Ruan, though known throughout the courts as a spoiled and mischievous teenager, was, in truth, an exceptional prodigy. His raw power grew each day, even without any effort, making his Heavenly Emperor uncle shower him with praise, which further fueled the envy of those around him. Everything seemed to fall perfectly into place, except for the once peaceful harem of the Nightfall Emperor, which became a hotbed of discord as his concubines began vying for his attention. What no one realized, however, was that the entire situation was an orchestrated scheme devised by Ruan himself. With his sharp wit and cunning mind, he was making sure that the Nightfall Emperor was entirely wrapped around his fingers.

Julian, seorang bocah miskin yang tinggal sederhana bersama neneknya didesa. Dia dikucilkan oleh teman-temanya, bahkan orang disekitarnya karena kemiskinannya. Pada suatu hari, ada murid pindahan yang bernama Emily. Emily merupakan seorang gadis yang lugu, berambut pendek, dan berkacamata. Ia berasal dari keluarga yang mampu. Mereka berteman dari kecil hingga dewasa. Namun saat SMA, Emily tiba-tiba pergi meninggalkan Julian tanpa penjelasan. Hal tersebut membuat luka mendalam di hati Julian. Bertahun-tahun kemudian, dengan tekad dan kerja kerasnya, Julian bangkit dari keterpurukan. Kini, dia bukan lagi anak miskin yang diremehkan, melainkan pria sukses dengan karier gemilang dan bisnis yang berkembang pesat. Julian juga memiliki ambisi untuk mendirikan perusahaannya sendiri. Ketika hidup Julian sudah berubah, Emily kembali hadir di dalam kehidupannya. Tapi, kali ini dengan nasib yang terbalik. Apa yang membuat Emily kembali datang ke kehidupan Julian? Lalu bagaimanakah kisah mereka didalam menghadapi bayang-bayang masa lalunya? Dan konflik apa saja yang akan ditemui Julian dalam menggapai cita-citanya untuk mendirikan perusahaannya sendiri? Ikuti kisah selengkapnya di dalam Novel ini. Novel Kacamata untuk Emily ini memadukan berbagai genre meliputi "Romance, Slice Of Life, Remaja, Pengembangan Karir, CEO, dan Bisnis Fiksi." Dibalut dengan gaya penulisan menggunakan sudut pandang orang pertama, dan dialog yang ekspresif sebagai pembentuk cerita, serta story progress yang "Slow Pacing" membuat novel ini diharapkan dapat memberikan pengalaman membaca yang lebih realistis, dan imersif. [NOTE] Tentang novel ini: Disini anda akan merasakan suasana seolah-olah menjadi sang MC, karena novel ini ditulis menggunakan sudut pandang orang pertama. Nikmati bagaimana tokoh tersebut menjalani kehidupannya didalam cerita dan rasakan pengalaman emosionalnya seperti saat merenung, merasakan sesuatu, dan bereaksi terhadap sebuah situasi. Bukan hanya itu, Novel ini juga menggunakan dialog sebagai pembentuk dan penggerak cerita sehingga suasana cerita terasa lebih realistis dan dinamis. Lalu, Novel ini juga memiliki set progress cerita "Slow Pacing" yang akan membuat para pembaca merasakan bagaimana hubungan tiap karakter tumbuh dan berkembang secara lebih dalam pada tiap bab. Alih-alih mengejar Plot yang cepat, Pembaca justru dapat menikmati detail setiap adegan, gerak tubuh, ekspresi wajah, bahkan keheningan di antara para tokoh secara kompleks. Lalu, biarkan cerita terungkap secara perlahan. Resolution sering akan anda temui diakhir bab daripada Cliffhanger, karena ini digunakan sebagai kesimpulan perkembangan sang MC dalam cerita. Karena plot novel ini memang fokus kepada sang MC . Semoga ini bisa memberikan pengalaman membaca yang unik dan bermakna bagi para pembaca Novel "Kacamata Untuk Emily"

When a mountain comes to life, awakening its consciousness, it takes on another form—a Mountain Spirit. And that’s me reborn with extraordinary Divine powers. Want to know what these divine powers are? Well, one of them allows me to accelerate herb growth—up to one hundred times faster! Impressive, right? But wait, there’s more! I also possess a ‘golden finger’—which is ‘Space-Time’ system that lets me fish for lost techniques, weapons, pill formulas, and other treasures from the rivers of time and space. With these at my disposal, I’m sure to become stronger, at least stronger than the beautiful sect master who claims my mountain as her personal retreat and constantly drag me into her matters. It’s not an easy life, but no need to worry! I’m not just any spirit—I’m a human spirit born from a mountain, which means I have an extraordinary talent for cultivation. To top it off, my system was generous enough to grant me a divine cultivation technique right from the start. There’s just one tiny problem: it’s a dual cultivation technique, and I need a partner to cultivate it. So, I had no choice but to convince the sect master’s stunning disciple to help me out. I mean, it’s not like I’m after her gorgeous long legs, her curvaceous thighs, or her… well, you get the point. I’m just a humble cultivator trying to grow stronger by any means necessary. If only she’d run into some trouble, so I could swoop in and save the day. That would make things a lot easier for me… but alas, life is never that simple. Still, I’ll find a way. With my Space-Time system, my mountain’s power, and a little charm, I’ll outgrow this mountain and surpass everyone—even the sect master. And maybe, just maybe, I’ll enjoy the beauties along the way. *** No NTR, No Yuri, No Yaoi *** LinkTree- https://linktr.ee/Around_The_Moon Discord- https://discord.gg/zTgR9VFduX

This is a collection of short stories . Some will be translated. Some I will write myself. There will be some stories which will resemble some true incidents. There will be horror, thriller, slice of life, sci-fi, crime etc. I will include both male and female leads. Many of the stories will be from my country . I will include the name of the author at the end of each story if I find them. I'll try toput the link to their page if I can find it. If any author wants me to remove their work let me know.

Anna is a kind, gentle girl, despised by the gods and animals of her world, who all believe Emily-the girl they adore and revere as the Chosen One-is the true savior. But Anna, unknowingly, is the one meant to heal the world. Every night, as she heals the suffering creatures around her, deep, searing wounds appear on her body, leaving her in excruciating pain that no one can see. When Emily manipulates the community into turning on Anna, accusing her of harassment, Anna is left isolated and betrayed. Struggling to survive both the physical torment and the overwhelming loneliness, Anna clings to the one thing she has left: her unwavering need to help others. But as the wounds pile up and the darkness consumes her, Anna's fate becomes a tragic testament to the price of selflessness-and the cruelty of being unseen.

"Well?" Sarah asked, practically bouncing in her seat. "How'd it go?" Emily hesitated, choosing her words carefully. "He's… quiet," she said, trying to downplay the strange feeling lingering in her chest. "Quiet? That's it?" Sarah groaned, looking disappointed. "Sometimes, quiet is enough," Emily replied with a small smile. The truth was, she felt like there was something beneath that quiet exterior, something she couldn't quite put her finger on. As they gathered their things to leave, Emily found herself glancing back toward the bookshelves. Max still stood there, looking as though he belonged to a world only he could see. And though she barely knew him, she had a feeling their paths would cross again. She couldn't say why, but something told her this was only the beginning..........