Trapped in the Love of Stepchildren
Chapter 1

Laura clasped her phone tightly as she heard a foreign voice from across the phone. "Mother Laura?" the voice asked.

"Yes" answered Laura hesitantly.

"I'm from your husband's attorney's office. I've got bad news for you."

Laura felt her breath choking as she waited to hear the news. His heart thumped as he heard the lawyer's next words. "Your husband, Tom, died in a car accident last night."

It all feels like a nightmare. Laura felt dizzy and spinning, and she felt she could not hold her weight anymore so she finally fell to the floor.

Laura was barely able to say anything, feeling like her world was collapsing. He tried to get the words out, but his voice was disjointed. "Please, I want to see my husband" he asked.

Laura rushes to the hospital, where she meets Tom's lawyer. He waited in the dark and cold hallway with a heart that was pounding. After a while, Tom's lawyer approached him.

"Laura, I'm sorry I told you this way" the lawyer said in a soft voice.

"Please tell me what's going on?" laura asked with a trembling voice.

"I can't tell you everything here" said the lawyer listlessly. "Tom is dead."

Laura felt her world as if it had come to a halt. She could not believe that her husband she loved had left her so soon. He felt a pain that pierced his heart and could not hold back his rushing tears.

"T-please give me some time to be with my husband, please," Laura said in a soft voice.

The lawyer nodded and said that he would give him the time he needed. Laura goes to the morgue, where Tom lies in a cold and deserted. She grabbed Tom's hand and hugged him tightly. She did not want to let go of her husband whom she loved, even when he was gone.

"I miss you so much, Tom," Laura said in a choked up voice. "I can't live without you." She kept grabbing her husband's hand tightly and crying by his side.

—

The next day, Laura sat in the car that took her to the cemetery. She felt sad and empty because her husband, Tom, had died. That day, he and his best friend Emma chose to bury Tom Islamically, in accordance with his religious beliefs.

They arrived at the mosque where the cemetery was quite spacious. The atmosphere was quiet and peaceful, yet sad. They are greeted by some of Tom's friends who are present to provide support to Laura and her family. After greeting them, Laura and Emma sat beside the prepared grave.

A priest leads a beautiful and melodious prayer, providing comfort for the bereaved family. After the prayer was over, Tom's body was placed in a burrow, followed by the ground sprinkled on it. Laura stood beside the grave with her head bowed.

Laura sobbed and spoke to Tom, "Tom, I don't know what my life is like without you. You are my love and strength. Thank you for giving me great happiness and love for me.”

Emma, embrace Laura and say, "Laura, I will always be there for you. We're going through this difficult time together."

The atmosphere was quiet, but felt full of respect for Tom. Laura took a pinch of land and put it in the grave, before allowing others to do so.

"See you, Tom," said Laura in a choked voice.

After the funeral is over, Laura and Emma sit next to the grave, talking about fond memories with Tom. They feel Tom's presence even if only in their memories.

"Emma, what will I do next?” ask Emma sobbing.

Emma took a deep breath and said. “You have to go on with your life and do the things Tom wants you to do. You will keep her happy memories in your heart and always remember the love she gave you,” Emma replied. Laura nodded in agreement and hugged Emma tightly.

The atmosphere was still silent and sad, suddenly a man walked up to them.

"The clothes are white, maybe this is one of Tom's friends who came to pay their respects" Laura thought.

The man smiled and introduced himself as Daniel. “Excuse me, sorry to interrupt. I'm Daniel, Tom's son from a previous marriage."

Laura and Emma are shocked and silent for a moment because they do not know that Tom has a child from a previous marriage. Daniel explains that he was unable to attend the funeral in time because he was out of town, but he felt the need to offer his condolences and talk to Tom's family.

Laura and Emma greeted him warmly, though they were still shocked. Daniel tells the story of how Tom always mentions Laura in his conversations, and how Tom loves Laura very much. Daniel also tells about his childhood with Tom, about how Tom cares about him so much.

Laura felt sad and sad when she heard Daniel's story. He was impressed by the kindness of Tom who had cared for Ali with love even though he was not his biological child.

"You know, Tom always talks about you and about how he loves you, ” Daniel said, staring at Laura silently.

Laura was sad because she never knew about Daniel's whereabouts. He hopes to meet her early.

Daniel smiled and nodded. "I'm happy to meet you.”

After that Daniel asked Laura for permission to help in the study event Tom and Laura agreed.

They prepare everything together, including inviting Tom's neighbors and relatives. Laura is thrilled that Daniel is willing to help her on the show, as she feels that they have gotten closer since Tom died.

On the first day of their studies, they started getting ready to receive guests. Laura cooks food and drinks, while Daniel helps arrange chairs and tables.

"Laura, what do you need for help?" daniel asked, holding an empty glass.

"Thank you, Daniel. Can you please pour some drinks for the guests?" laura answered with a smile.

Daniel nodded and began to pour the drink into the empty glass. Laura looked at him with pride, feeling happy that Daniel really helped her.

After the guests arrived, Laura and Daniel were busy serving food and drinks. They were also busy greeting and serving the guests in a friendly manner.

"I haven't seen Daniel in a long time. You really turned into a handsome and kind young man" said a neighbor with a smile.

Daniel blushed in embarrassment, but he was pleased to hear the praise from neighbor Laura. He also feels good to meet people who have known Tom and listened to stories about Tom's kindness.

On the third day of the study, they experienced problems when the electricity went out. Laura was worried because the food could not be served perfectly. However, Daniel was calm and decided to bring the spotlights out of his car.

"Daniel, you really saved the show" Laura said, rubbing Daniel's back.

"No problem, Laura. This is the little thing I can do" Daniel replied with a smile.

Laura felt overwhelmed by Daniel's kindness. He also feels happy because they can help each other and work together in dealing with problems.

After the end of the study, Laura and Daniel sat together on the terrace enjoying the cool night air.

"Thank you, Daniel. You helped me during this class. I don't know what I'd do without you" Laura said, looking at Daniel with gratitude.

"You don't have to say thank you, Laura. I'm glad to be able to help you, "Daniel replied, looking warmly at Laura.

Laura felt her heart filled with Daniel's warmth. He felt that they were getting closer and getting to know each other. They talked, shared stories and laughter, making their relationship even tighter.

"There's actually something I want to talk to you about, Laura," Daniel said, after a moment of silence.

"What's up, Daniel?" laura asked, looking at Daniel with attention.

"I know that I'm not Tom's real son. My mother told me after Tom died" Daniel said, in a somewhat stammered voice.

Laura was shocked to hear Daniel's confession. He never thought Tom had a stepson he didn't know.

"Really, Daniel? I don't know what to say" Laura replied, trying to calm herself down.

"I'm sorry, Laura. I didn't mean to surprise you. I just wanted you to know about this from the beginning," Daniel said, staring sincerely at Laura.

Laura was saddened and moved to hear Daniel's confession. He feels that Tom has kept a big secret about his family. However, on the other hand, he also felt that their relationship was getting closer and getting to know each other better.

"Daniel, I don't know what to say. I'm not mad at you, I'm just sad that Tom never told me about you" Laura said, holding Daniel's hand.

"Maybe Tom's embarrassed to tell you about me, Laura. But I'm happy to meet you and feel that I have a new family" Daniel said, smiling.

Laura was delighted to hear Daniel's words. He felt that they were getting closer and understanding each other.

"You're right, Daniel. We are family now. And I'm so happy to have you in my life" Laura said, smiling.

They smile at each other and look at each other, feeling that their relationship is getting stronger and supporting each other. And from there, they begin a new chapter in their lives as a new family.

***

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