passing second felt like a dream-a realit

e of a man she had met just yesterday-Aziz, a w

Alena murmured, nervously twis

ess. He appeared calm, yet there was something

g. This marriage wasn't about love. It was

?" Aziz asked

?" Alena replied wi

ut a deep

o poverty after her father passed away. Now, that responsibility was a b

college, no festivities, no joy. Alena even felt awkward in the overly simple wedding attire, lacking the whit

Alena was now officially Aziz's wife. Her chest felt tight-not w

t weeks ago, she was an ordinary college student spending her days on campus, working on her thesis, and gossiping with fri

had made every decision decisively. There was no time for elaborate preparations, no grand celebration

couldn't imagine what they would say if they found out she had m

to herself, still unable to believ

ziz walked in. He looked calm, as always

meet the kids?"

t. They had been staying with their grandmother while the house was prepared for Alena's

ya and Zizi might need time to adjust. They'

rves. She could only hope for the best, tho

-old girl, sat on the couch with a skeptical expression. Zizi, the younger one, merely glanced

gan, trying to sound friend

very detail of her new stepmother's appearance. "D

bit nervous. "Yes, I'm

sarcastic tone, "So, you married Dad so

ow how to respond. Aziz, who was standing beside her, let

ned her attention back to her ph

ho was sitting next to her sister, remained silent, showing no react

lena said softly, trying to ease the situation. "I h

"Mother? Don't count on it.

er a sharp look. "Sa

indifferently, as if igno

ould be hard, but she never imagined it would be this difficult. The first meeting with Aziz's child

. The room was spacious and luxurious, but she felt out of plac

f the room. Her face looked tired-more tired than usual. This marriage was

door opened slowly. Aziz entered and l

he approached. "But please, give them time. Sas

it. Time? How much time would it take for them to a

use I believe you can be part of this family. I kno

Aziz was always calm and rational, as if everything could be resolved with a cool head. But for Alena, t

ime to adjust. So tonight, we... hmmm, I mean, let's not do a

both relieved and nervous. The fear t

ng, imagining how she would face the days ahead. The first meeting with

d. A message popped up from

ou been? When are w

ything to her friends? They didn't know what had happened. They didn't kno

lately,] Alena replied, cho

ring on her finger again. How had her life ch