Art of Survival Pt. #

Title: Art of Survial Part 2

Series: A Stern Family Saga

Author: Monique Orgeron

Genre: Contemporary Romance Suspense

Release Date: October 19, 2018 Cover Design: Serendipity Formats

If you don’t understand the instinct to merely survive, you will never understand me.

I’ve done my penance and paid a heavy price for my choices.

It was never for selfish reasons that I became the person I am today.

No, I can be called many things but selfish will never be one of them.

It was always for them. My children.

No regrets and no do-overs.

The grim reaper is knocking on my door. It’s my time.

I was fine with it. I knew this day would eventually come and I was ready.

I was tired of living a life of battles in order to survive.

Then I was forced to see how overwhelmingly beautiful life is and how tragically short my days could be.

With limited time, I have to find a way to finish my job and get my sons ready for what is in store for them.

They want me to fight and I will but in return, they too must fight.

Am I ready for the battle of my life?

Will they be ready?

PROLOGUE

ART OF SURVIVAL

Survival,

What does it truly mean? It’s simply continuing to exist no matter who or what, has gotten in your way.

Well, I did it! I survived! Every damn bit life had to throw at me, I continued to exist.

However, what is survival, if it was never meant for something meaningful?

Sure, I existed but did I allow myself to truly live, to be happy, to feel deserving of anything?

I don’t really believe I did. For years, my only thought was I needed to survive for my children. For their futures. But now, I want to survive for me.

Now that my memories have all been written down, I’m somewhat relieved. Lost in the burden of secrecy I’ve held onto for so long. I wonder, when all is revealed, what will they think? Will they see me differently?

No, I think they will see me for me, for who I really am. A woman who did what was necessary. A woman who lived a life filled with struggles but made something of herself for them.

I need to survive for me. I need to live. I don’t want to leave this life without having more. I might not be deserving, but I sure in the hell want to fight for it.

My children have won the battle. By forcing me to see my life isn't over, they gave me something to actually live for. In return, I will give them this. They need this as much as I do now.

I’m not sure what the outcome will be, and I don’t know if I am strong enough to fight this final war, but I want to. No, correction. I will. I’m going to find the strength.

I am going to go into this next battle swinging and kicking and telling the world to fuck off.

I want to live! I want to be happy!

I want to finally be free!

Written by Monique Orgeron’s eldest, most beautiful, and intelligent daughter. (My sister is going to hate this part.)

My mom happens to be the most caring, loving, and stubborn person I know, well anyone knows. She gives 100% percent of herself to everyone and has given up so much of herself for my sister and I. For twenty-one years she has poured her heart and soul into making sure we know that we are loved and that we can do anything we put our minds too, but it was about time she figured that out about herself.

Up until this year I hadn’t seen my mom do anything for only her, but this book has allowed her to travel the world through the pages of a book, make new friends, and feel the joy of doing something exciting.

There is a new light behind her eyes and it is just making me feel more joy than she can ever imagine. While she might be annoying most of the time, I am so thrilled that she is finally allowing herself to grow as a person and not spend all of her energy on her family.

It has been a long journey of self-discovery for my mom; she has gone from domestic supermom to domestic goddess throughout the process of writing.

We are so very excited and proud of you! I love you as big as the world.

-Bria and Tony