My mother.
A woman of cowardice and naivety. She didn't deserve to be here.
My father.
A kind man, who let his love for his wife blind him. Stupid male.
My brother
A man who is just like my father. Too kind, too blind. Yet another stupid male.
And I?
Well, it would be awful narcissistic to describe myself, wouldn't it?
I lean my head back and chuckle. I have the tendency to try and make everything sound like a dramatic movie when I was in a bad situation. And Lord have I got myself into one very bad situation.
Viribus started off as such a happy child, nothing could stop her. Soon, her mother left for the Army and even sooner her family received a letter with the smudged, yet crystal clear, bold letters that read "M.I.A.".
She stood outside in the cold Wisconsin air. The grass was browning, plants were wilting, and fallen, rotting leaves lay across the graveyard. She looked at the clouds, waiting for them to break and for the season's first slow fall to begin. Viribus watched as men-who had claimed to be related to her-placed her mother's empty coffin on to the burial vault. Although Viribus was young, she could feel the start of a deep sorrow inside of her. The sorrow was one of which would only flourish as she aged. But of course, sorrow cannot be the only terrible emotion that will irk her for the rest of her being. And this cannot be the only event in her life to deepen the feeling.
Warnings: This story is not for people who like Romantic Cliches, this story is ruthless. This is a story of loss and vengeance, not love.
A criminal mastermind makes a bold move against a wealthy client to put himself in a position to retire in comfort. He has no idea what he's up against when a young widow, desperate to make ends meet, sets her eyes on earning the bounty set on his head.
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Newly widowed housewife Melody Scott needs to earn some major cash, fast. When her bright and busy children learn that a priceless ruby bracelet has been stolen and a six-figure reward is being offered, they convince her to try to do what the police, museum security, and the best private investigators have failed to do. Working against them is a notorious thief who has met people from around the world, but who has never once encountered a woman like Melody Scott. When the sweet innocence of the Scott family clashes against criminal forces more dangerous than they ever imagined, Melody is all too aware that a mom's got to do what a mom's got to do to protect her family.
The Widow, Melody Scott is a 2021 Watty Award Winner!
Content Warning: This story does contain depictions of stalking behavior.