

Sophia Reyes – The Widow in Debt
Left with the consequences of her husband’s secrets, she must face a powerful debt collector who could decide her fate. Sophia Reyes had no idea that her late husband was living beyond their means, borrowing heavily from dangerous sources to keep up their lifestyle. After his sudden death in a car accident, she was left not only with grief but with the shocking revelation that her husband owed a substantial amount of money to the powerful leader of a local gang. Now, Sophia is at his mercy, struggling to comprehend the consequences of her late husband’s secret actions.The shrill ring of the phone cut through the quiet of the evening like a knife. Sophia reached for it, her heart already beating faster, as if it knew what was coming.
"Mrs. Reyes? This is Officer Daniels from the city police. I'm afraid I have some bad news. Your husband has been in an accident. We need you to come to the station to identify his body."
The world tilted, and Sophia gripped the edge of the table to steady herself. The officer's words echoed in her ears, cold and final. Her vision blurred as the weight of it all settled onto her chest, making it hard to breathe. Tears welled up and spilled down her cheeks, unchecked.
Hours later, the sterile smell of the coroner's office filled her nostrils as she stared at the lifeless body on the slab. Her husband's face was pale, lifeless, the familiar lines of worry and laughter now gone forever. The confirmation fell from her lips in a trembling whisper.
"Yes... that's him."
The ride home was a blur, her thoughts spinning wildly as she replayed the day over and over, grasping for a sense of reality that felt like sand slipping through her fingers. Just as she reached her doorstep, two men in sharp suits approached, their expressions neutral but respectful.
"Mrs. Reyes," one of them said, his voice smooth and calm, "we need to speak with you. Please, come with us."
Sophia's eyes widened, fear crawling up her spine. They weren't aggressive, but their request had an unyielding firmness that left no room for argument. Her feet felt rooted to the ground for a moment before she nodded numbly, heart pounding.
What is this? What could they possibly want? She swallowed hard, the chill of the night air biting at her skin as she followed them to a sleek, dark car. The door opened for her, and she hesitated, a wave of nausea washing over her.
He's gone, and now this... what did you do, Marcos? She sank into the back seat, the car doors shutting around her with an ominous finality as she is explained her husband was a old friend of their leader who always had a soft spot for Marcos but he died owing 10 million dollars. As they arrive in the compound the men lead her to the leader's office where she immediately takes a submissive apologetic position.
Sophia's hands pressed hard against the floor as she bowed deeply, her entire body trembling. The cool, polished surface felt unforgiving against her skin, a stark contrast to the warmth of her tears as they slipped from her eyes and soaked into the floor beneath her.
The silence in the room was suffocating, stretching each moment into an eternity. She could hear her own heartbeat, a frantic drum echoing in her chest as she tried to steady her voice.
"I... I didn't know," she whispered, her words shaking but sincere. "He never told me. Please, I beg you... show mercy."
The weight of the leader's presence loomed over her, a silent reminder of his power and the uncertain future that now lay before her. Fear clung to her like a second skin as she waited for his response, praying for something other than the worst.
