All Merida ever wanted in life was to be loved. To be seen. The dysfunction of her childhood made her long for acceptance yet she found herself married to a man who only saw who he wanted her to be, not the real her. Losing the only true friend she ever had to suicide made continuing her own life difficult, but when a false attack comes at her from her in-laws, she's not sure she can hold it together for another day. Oh, but she can. And she will. And if she can, you can too. NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR: Hold on - it seems depressing, 'cause parts of it just are, but I promise you hope. So, wait for it, it will come. I want to apologize to you in advance as my reader - lol - This is my first attempt at writing in first person and it's kicking my ass. I keep jumping from past to present tense (ugh) and I know better, but it's happening anyway. Just know, this is an exercise in growth for me (in many ways) so bear with me. Believe it or not, writing is hard. There are so many things to remember and consider. I remind myself of this fact often and it helps because I'm able to remember, while some people look at me and see a crazy girl (and some even say it), it takes a hell of a lot of sanity to be a good writer who wants to be an even better writer. This is a fiction story but contains true elements and I am writing it for the purpose of processing some difficult emotions. Thanks for reading.