About this ebook
Thrown into jail, Clara faces a brutal new reality. She’s grieving, isolated, and surrounded by strangers who see weakness as an invitation. Survival means learning fast how to read the room, how to make alliances, and how to stay out of the crosshairs. Every day is a test, and every misstep could be fatal.
As she fights to hold onto her sanity, her friend and defense attorney, Alice de Morais, begins to suspect that Clara’s case is more than just a family tragedy.
As the trial looms, Clara must fight for her life in more ways than one, because proving her innocence won’t just mean beating the charges. It means surviving long enough to be heard.
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About the author
Damian Fischer was born in Yugoslavia in 1976 and grew up in a country ravaged by civil conflict. Despite the difficulties, he decided to forge a career path and worked several jobs after high school, from playing guitar on a children's TV show to selling real estate, all with the goal of paying for his education at the prestigious International University of Novi Pazar, where he earned a Criminalistics degree.
Damian became disillusioned after the assassination of Serbia's prime minister and the deep corruption in the justice system. He chose to leave his native country and embark on an adventure by working as an assistant waiter for Royal Caribbean. Over time, he advanced to the position of Guest Services Officer, navigating not only oceans but also life-changing events and near-death encounters, which he later documented in his novel Cruising Through the Storm.
Damian retired from ship life in 2011 and settled in Brazil to teach English. When the University of Missouri's high school program started in 2016, he expanded his responsibilities to include lecturing on Marketing, Debate, Creative Writing, and Study Skills.
Before she died during the COVID-19 pandemic, a dear friend asked Damian to write his life story. Fulfilling his promise to a deceased friend marked a turning point and reignited his passion for writing.
Now based in the coastal city of Natal, Damian continues to write, submits novels to literary agents worldwide, and reflects on a life shaped by perseverance and reinvention. He’s published short stories in Serbia and believes failure is the most vital part of learning. As he puts it: “Never give up. Even though others have failed, it doesn’t mean you will too.”
And his personal credo?
“You won’t ever live fully if you’re playing it safe.”
