A Stranger on the Inside

This novel is based on the lives of three people. Candide, a shy and naive young woman, a headstrong but mysterious man by the name of Pascal, and lastly, Marcel, a man who had always lived a life beyond the fringes of normality or conformity.
Despite their lives being very different; they each share a tragedy and hopelessness they struggle to shake.
This story starts with Candide, a girl who seems more than content to live in the shadows and protection of others, whilst still having to cope with the tribulations of life & family. Her quiet and introverted character, over time, changes when she falls in love.

At first, everything seemed perfect, although over time, realisation started to set in that her lover was harbouring a mysterious secret, which started to slowly unravel. Despite finding love and independence, certain elements she had once taken for granted, slowly tangled together until she finally realised she had become embroiled in a world, she not only had no control over but also any understanding of it.
With family being everything, her once simple but contented life slowly becomes jeopardised, and with it, all that is so precious to her.
How can she control her many feelings? How can she keep herself, as well as those around her safe? How can she continue to function, despite gradually knowing the truth; when all she ever really wanted was to live just an averagely mundane life?