In a bustling metropolitan city, 14-year-old Winnie (Daisy) is swept into a world of darkness after being abducted while walking home from school. For years, she is forced into a life of sex trafficking, confined to a dingy hotel where young girls, all under 18, are kept in similar cages of despair. Despite the trauma, Daisy bonds with the other girls, creating a sisterhood of survival as they navigate their harsh realities together.
Daisy's captor, Alyxander, is a charismatic but ruthless figure in the trafficking ring. He exhibits a cold disregard for the girls, but as he oscillates between cruelty and moments of unexpected faux tenderness, Winnie begins to develop complicated feelings for him. She finds herself drawn to the fragments of kindness he displays, seeing him as a protector in their shared world of abuse, hoping that maybe he could save her from her grim fate.
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.