Trapped in the Love of Stepchildren
Chapters 10

Laura and Daniel sat on the back porch of the house, staring into the dark sky and twinkling stars. They are happy to be together, even though their circumstances are not ideal. Ever since Daniel came into his life, he's felt more excited and more alive.

"You know, Daniel," Laura said as she looked at him lovingly. "It's been a long time since I've felt so comfortable with someone like this. You make me happy."

Daniel smiled at Laura. "You make me happy too, Laura. I feel so lucky to be with you."

Laura felt warm in her heart hearing Daniel's words. However, he also felt worried about how people would respond to their relationship which was not yet clear of his status. He did not want Daniel to be the target of gossip and hatred.

"Daniel, I'm worried about how people will respond to our relationship" Laura said. "They may not understand or even judge us."

Daniel grabs Laura's hand and grabs her gently. "I know it's not easy, Laura. But we can't hide our feelings forever. We have to decide whether we want to stay together or not."

Laura nodded in agreement, but her heart still felt heavy. She knew that there were some people in her husband's family who wouldn't approve of their relationship.

—

As the days go by, Laura and Daniel become more and more familiar with each other. They often spend time together, go on vacation, or just enjoy a relaxing time at home. Laura was happy because Daniel was so attentive to her.

However, Laura's worries did not just disappear. She was still afraid of how her husband's family would respond to her relationship with Daniel. Laura knew that there were some of her relatives who were very conservative and difficult to accept mixed marriages or relationships that were considered inappropriate in their views.

One night, Laura and Daniel attend a family party for her ex-husband. Laura felt tense when she saw some of her most conservative relatives there. Some of them were watching Laura and Daniel with cynical gazes and showing an unfriendly attitude.

Laura and Daniel felt like they were walking on coals. They walk through the crowd at the family party, trying to avoid the sharp stares and talk of people who don't value their relationship.

"How can you do this to your family, Laura? This is so inappropriate!" said Laura's angry cousin.

Daniel was furious at those words. She felt that Laura's cousin knew nothing about their relationship and only spoke without a solid foundation.

"I'm sorry, but our life decisions are not your concern or your family's. We love each other and it is our right to choose" Daniel said in a stern tone.

But Laura's cousin still couldn't be calmed down and kept saying the same thing over and over again.

Laura felt very hurt by the treatment of her ex-husband's family. He felt that he was not valued as an individual and his rights as a human being were not recognized.

"I'm just trying to find my own happiness. Why can't you let me live the way I want?" laura said in a weak voice.

However, none of her ex-husband's family responded and gave her support. Everyone still feels that the relationship between Laura and Daniel is untrue and violates social and ethical norms.

Daniel was very disappointed with his father's family. He felt that they did not know how to provide support to family members who were having difficulties.

"I was very disappointed in my father's family. They should support you and help you, not judge you. Your happiness and mine are very important, and it is our right to choose our own path" Daniel said in a vexed voice.

Laura feels that she and Daniel are stuck in a difficult situation. He felt that there was no easy solution and they had to consider well every step they were going to take.

"Maybe we should find a safe place to calm our minds and reflect on the decisions we take" Laura said in a soft voice.

"You've always been a strong and strong figure, Laura. I will always support you in every decision you make" Daniel said in a soft voice.

Laura smiled and looked at Daniel with a loving look.

"Thank you, Daniel. I know we can get through this together" Laura said in a loving voice.

Moments later, one of her ex-husband's families, Ani's mother comes and joins their chat. Ani's mother has always been a fairly critical person and has always demanded high standards in life. He looked at Laura and Daniel with a sharp look and then said, "Laura, are you sure of your relationship with Daniel? What would you do if everyone knew and couldn't accept your decision?"

Laura was struck by that question. She felt depressed and began to have difficulty answering him and chose to stay away from Ani's mother.

"Just look at that, Laura and her stepson were kissing in the corner there. It's disgusting" Laura's cousin said in a loud voice.

Daniel was deeply offended and did not accept the comment. He feels unappreciated as an adult man who is able to choose and take responsibility for his decisions.

Laura nodded and tried to calm Daniel down. She feels hurt by her relatives' comments, but she doesn't want to give up on her relationship with Daniel.

Moments later, Laura and Daniel plan to leave the family party. They feel very uncomfortable and want to avoid a worse situation.

"It's okay, honey. We can get out of here and find a more pleasant place" Daniel told Laura.

Laura nodded and they walked to the car. However, halfway through, Laura's cousin suddenly appeared and confronted them.

"Hey, you two. I want to talk to you, "cousin Laura said in a loud voice.

Laura and Daniel were shocked and did not know what to do. They feel very uncomfortable in this situation.

"What do you want?" laura asked in a voice that sounded anxious.

"You have to stop with this relationship. This is not true and violates social norms. You're ruining family relationships and making everyone uncomfortable" Laura's cousin said in a stern tone.

Daniel felt deeply offended and did not accept Laura's cousin's words.

“Nothing damages family relationships, we love each other and it is our right to vote," Daniel said in a firm voice.

However, Laura's cousin did not accept Daniel's argument and insisted on his opinion.

"No, you're wrong. You can't do this. You put your father to shame and make everyone uncomfortable" Laura's cousin said.

Laura felt very sad and frustrated with this situation. She feels that she and Daniel have no support from their families and must face condemnation and humiliation from their relatives.

"I love Daniel and I don't care what anyone else says. This is my decision and I will not hand it over" Laura said in a determined voice.

Some other relatives also viewed their relationship with skepticism and even denounced Laura for ignoring ethics and morals. Laura feels caught in the middle of a family conflict and finds it difficult to determine her next steps.

"You know, Daniel," Laura told Daniel. "It's hard for me to see how our relationship can go forward with family conflicts like this."

Daniel hugged Laura tightly. "I see, Laura and I don't want to force you to deal with family conflicts that might hurt you. But I also don't want us to give in to social pressures and norms that don't suit our feelings."

As they continued to speak, another relative of Laura's ex-husband approached. "Hey, you two," he said in a cynical tone. "What are you talking about?"

Laura and Daniel looked at each other for a moment, before Laura replied, "We're just chatting about ordinary things, auntie. Nothing special."

"Of course nothing special" said Laura's relative in a high voice. "You know, Laura, our family will never accept your relationship with Tom's stepson. It violates all social and ethical norms. And you, Daniel, you know that you don't deserve Laura. You're just a wasted stepson."

Daniel looked at Laura's relatives with a sharp look. "I don't care what you think of me" he said. "I love Laura, and that's all that matters."

Laura's relatives laughed. "Love? What does love mean? You two will only make yourself ashamed. And if you, Laura, continue to insist on this relationship, you will lose all support from our family."

Laura felt increasingly depressed and confused. He knew that what his relatives said was true, that their relationship was unacceptable in social and ethical norms. But, on the other hand, she felt that she and Daniel loved each other and had a strong bond.

That night, Laura and Daniel went home with mixed feelings. They are upset that many of their relatives do not appreciate and are against their relationship.

Laura let out a long sigh and looked towards Daniel. "I love you,” he said in a soft voice. "But I'm afraid of all this. I'm afraid of what could happen if we keep fighting the family."

Daniel looked at Laura with affection. "I understand, Laura," he said. "But I can't live without you. I love you."

"I love you too" Laura replied gently. "But I'm afraid of what could happen to us and to our families."

The two of them spoke for a moment longer, but Laura still felt doubtful. She knew that their family would be very angry if they continued this relationship, and would probably break off their relationship completely. But, on the other hand, she felt that she and Daniel had a strong and inseparable bond.