The narrative follows a young man who, on his 21st birthday, finds himself at a crossroads between his past and his aspirations for a better life. Having moved from Italy with his mother to escape his father's involvement in the mafia, he now faces a pivotal moment when his father unexpectedly reappears in his life. As he prepares to confess his feelings to a doctor working in his mother's clinic, chaos erupts when his father is gravely injured. Presented with a stark choice by his father - to remain with his mother or to join the family business - the protagonist must navigate his conflicting emotions and loyalties. Amidst the turmoil, the budding romance between the protagonist and the doctor adds another layer of complexity to the story, highlighting the tension between love and duty. Ultimately, the story explores themes of identity, family, and the pursuit of a brighter future in the face of difficult choices.
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.