"Veil is power, and so myself."
A phenomena that covered humanity in frightening blood light occurred in the year 1900. When the moment came for them to be released from that curtain after spending decades there, they found that something had awoken inside of them. A power that, following test runs, scientists gave the name "veil."
With their newfound ability, known as the veil, humanity quickly rose once more, making the Earth a potent planet. Humanity was unstoppable, and a number of war sprouted to claim dominance.
However, a nation reign supreme above all, an island that drifted away from the Philippines - located at the center of the Pacific Ocean - it became Isla Heartfillia - they were once an ordinary human, until the veil bestowed them the protection... a power, a gift... and a curse.
Year 2045, an ordinary girl from the island, Earth just so happened to walk by a scene with the crawling woman, the royal guards, and the necklace in her grasp. When their eyes met, Earth was being pursued, her necklace hanging around her neck, and just as she was going to be apprehended, she vanished.
At that moment, Earth's augury became certain.
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.
***
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.