Married To A Cruel Widower

"What? I have to marry him?!"

Alena almost dropped her phone. The voice on the other end was too shocking to process. The bustling streets of Medan that afternoon, filled with vehicles going back and forth, seemed to vanish from her view. All that remained was the ringing in her ears, echoing along with her mother's booming voice on the phone.

"You heard me, didn't you? It's already decided, Na. Aziz is a good man. Our family owes his family a great deal!" Her mother's tone was firm, leaving little room for protest. The bright afternoon suddenly turned gloomy for Alena.

The 21-year-old woman blinked, staring at her flat shoes, as if hoping for answers to appear from them. "But... but, Mom. I'm still in college. How can I get married? Besides, I don't even know him!" she said in desperation. The noisy traffic around her suddenly became a mere backdrop to the fear surging in her heart.

Her mother sighed, as if trying to calm down a stubborn child. "Listen, Na. We're not wealthy people. If it weren't for Aziz's family, you wouldn't even have been able to go to school until now. This is the best option for all of us."

Alena wiped her face, feeling cold sweat starting to form.

Om Aziz? The strict man I've heard whispered about by the neighbors? A 38-year-old widower with two teenage kids? This doesn't make any sense!

How could her peaceful life as a college student suddenly turn upside down into a forced marriage story with a widower?

"Mom... Isn't Om Aziz strict? I've heard people talk about him," Alena's voice began to tremble, her fear growing more real.

There was a faint chuckle on the other end-not a pleasant laugh, but one tinged with bitterness. "People love to gossip, and you know that. They always find faults. Aziz is strict? Maybe he's firm, but that's normal for someone leading a lot of people. Don't believe everything you hear."

Alena let out a long sigh, trying to gather her thoughts. "But, Mom... I'm not ready. There's so much I still want to achieve. I'm only in my sixth semester. What about my future?"

"Na, listen to me. Life doesn't always go as we want. Do you think we're in a position to choose right now?" Her mother's words pressed harder on Alena's feelings. "Aziz's family has helped us for years. And Aziz... he's handsome, wealthy, and ready to build a family again. You'll be comfortable with him."

"Mom, this isn't just about comfort! I don't love him. And being handsome and rich doesn't guarantee happiness. I don't even know him!" Alena tried to resist, her voice growing hoarse.

"Do you think love is everything? Not all marriages start with love, Na. Sometimes, love comes later, after you get to know someone better," her mother replied, this time with a softer tone, trying to instill understanding.

Alena sat down on a small park bench near the street, gazing at the sky that was starting to turn red. It felt like the weight of the world was crashing down on her shoulders all at once. A marriage without love? That wasn't what she had imagined. But on the other hand, what choice did she have?

While her mind was still in turmoil, her phone vibrated. A message appeared, adding to the complications of her day.

[Tomorrow afternoon, you two have to meet. Aziz wants to talk in person.]

Alena froze, staring at the phone screen she was holding. Her heart seemed to stop. Tomorrow? That soon? Her chest tightened. A direct meeting with Om Aziz? A man she only knew as a shadowy figure. A man feared by many, with two kids rumored to be difficult to manage. How could this meeting possibly go well?

Shortly after, another message followed.

[Don't be late, Na. Aziz doesn't like to wait.]

Alena bit her lower lip. Her entire body shivered. It felt like an even bigger burden was approaching, one she couldn't refuse. Is this really happening? I have to marry a man I've never even met?

She wiped her forehead, feeling her blood pulsating more rapidly. Tomorrow, she would meet the man who would become her husband. A husband she never wanted. And worse, she didn't know what Aziz was really like behind all the stories circulating about him.

Alena stared into the distance, but her mind was filled with worry. What would she say to Aziz? What should she do?

Tomorrow, everything would change. Alena knew there was no turning back. She could only hope for the best, even though her heart trembled with doubt.

That night, as Alena tried to sleep, the thought of tomorrow's meeting continued to haunt her. Her mother's words echoed in her mind-about debts, about a lack of choice. But the most haunting was one question that wouldn't leave her thoughts: Why does Aziz want to marry me?

Tomorrow, the answer would come. But was Alena ready to hear it?

Alena sat in a quiet corner of the café, far from the bustling crowd that usually filled the place. Her gaze was fixed on a cup of coffee that was starting to cool in front of her. Her hands couldn't stop fiddling with the edge of her hijab, playing with the fabric as if it were the only thing distracting her from her nervousness. Her mind raced aimlessly, caught between confusion, anxiety, and... a tinge of regret.

Why did I agree to come?

Her heart pounded erratically, harder with each passing second, because she knew this meeting would change her life forever. A meeting with the man she never imagined would become her husband-Aziz.

Aziz, a 38-year-old man she had only heard about from stories circulating in her village. A man known for his generosity but also infamous for his strict and authoritarian demeanor. And now, she was on the verge of becoming this man's wife.

Uncle Aziz...

The café door opened with a soft sound, but in that moment, Alena knew who had arrived. It was as if the air around her shifted. A tall, broad-shouldered man in a gray suit entered, his posture commanding and upright. His face was stern, with sharp lines on his cheeks and jaw that radiated a no-nonsense attitude. His eyes briefly glanced in Alena's direction before refocusing on his steps.

Alena swallowed hard. This is it.

Aziz approached the table where Alena was seated. His steps were measured and confident, like someone who knew exactly what he wanted and how to get it.

"Are you Alena?" he asked, his deep voice devoid of any warmth or small talk.

Alena quickly nodded, feeling as though she were frozen in place. "Yes, Uncle Aziz." Her voice trembled slightly, but she tried to stay calm.

Aziz sat down across from her without another word. He called the waiter and ordered a black coffee in a brief, clipped tone. No smile, no polite greeting-everything felt cold and formal. Only after the waiter left did Aziz turn his attention back to Alena.

"I don't like small talk," Aziz said sharply, locking eyes with her. "Let's get straight to the point."

Alena blinked, feeling as though she were being mentally undressed, her thoughts laid bare under Aziz's penetrating gaze.

"O-okay, Uncle," she replied, struggling to maintain her composure despite her overwhelming nervousness.

Aziz leaned forward, crossing his arms over his chest. "Do you know why I chose you?"

The question made Alena's heart race even faster. Why me? She knew a little about the reason behind this arrangement, but hearing it directly from the man sitting across from her made it all feel terrifyingly real.

"Because... my mother said... we owe your family a debt of gratitude," she answered, lowering her gaze to the table, feeling small under Aziz's dominant presence.

Aziz gave a faint smile, but it was cold, devoid of any warmth. "Not just that. I need a wife. Someone to take care of the house, my kids, and... someone who isn't a hassle. You fit the bill."

Alena froze. Aziz's words felt like a punch to her gut. That's it? I was chosen because I'm suitable to be a mother to his children? She swallowed hard, trying to suppress the discomfort spreading through her. "But... Uncle, I... I'm still in college. I don't know if I can-"

Aziz raised a hand, cutting her off. "I know you're still in college. That's not a problem for me. I won't stop you from continuing your studies. But you need to understand that your responsibilities at home come first."

Alena fell silent again, lowering her head even further as her fingers gripped the edge of the table tightly. His kids... two teenagers I've never even met. What if they don't like me? How can I be a good stepmother to them?

Those questions kept pounding in her head, adding to the anxiety already weighing heavily on her chest.

"Scared?" Aziz asked suddenly, his tone still cold and flat.

Alena couldn't answer immediately. Of course, she was scared. Who wouldn't be in a situation like this? But looking at Aziz's sharp gaze, she knew her answer wouldn't change anything. This man had already made up his mind.

Aziz leaned back in his chair, his piercing eyes still fixed on Alena. "I don't care if you're scared or not. What matters is that if you become my wife, you know your role. You know what I expect. If you fulfill your role well, there won't be any problems. But if you don't..."

Aziz left his sentence hanging, making Alena feel even more pressured. She could sense an unspoken threat in his words.

With great difficulty, Alena mustered the courage to speak. "What if... your kids don't like me?"

Aziz shrugged. "That's your job to make them like you. They don't like anyone. But I need someone who can keep them calm. A stepmother."

A stepmother...

The word made Alena feel like she was sinking deeper. This wasn't the life she had envisioned. She had never imagined becoming the second wife of a man, let alone a stepmother to two teenagers she had never met.

Aziz rose from his seat, glancing at the expensive watch on his wrist. "I have a meeting soon," he said curtly. "I hope you think this through carefully. If you want to back out, do it now. I don't need a woman who hesitates."

Alena was stunned by the ultimatum. Back out? Is that really an option? Her family owed so much to Aziz's family, especially after her father passed away. Her mother had already agreed, and her family had entrusted everything to her decision. Backing out now would mean betraying them.

"I..." Alena took a deep breath, her voice barely audible. "I don't have a choice, Sir. I mean... Uncle."

Aziz stared at her for a long moment before leaning closer, his voice low but firm. "Life is about choices. Don't blame your mother or your family. If you accept, do it wholeheartedly. If not, leave."

Aziz's sharp gaze pierced through her. "Do you understand what I mean?"

Alena looked at the man in front of her, her eyes brimming with tears, but she couldn't utter a word. Her voice seemed to be stuck in her throat.

Aziz leaned in closer, speaking with a cold tone, "So, what will it be? Become a stepmother and a wife... or be forced to drop out of college midway?"

That morning felt strange for Alena. Every passing second felt like a dream-a reality she had never imagined would come so soon.

In just a short while, she would become the wife of a man she had met just yesterday-Aziz, a widower with two children who were almost her age.

"This is really happening..." Alena murmured, nervously twisting the edge of her headscarf.

Aziz sat across the room, his face expressionless. He appeared calm, yet there was something in his eyes that Alena couldn't quite decipher.

On the other hand, Alena's heart was racing. This marriage wasn't about love. It was simply about repaying a debt of gratitude.

"Are you ready?" Aziz asked in a flat tone.

"Do I have a choice?" Alena replied without looking at him.

Aziz let out a deep sigh. "No."

Alena knew it was true. Aziz's family had helped hers when they fell into poverty after her father passed away. Now, that responsibility was a burden on her shoulders. Aziz demanded marriage, and she couldn't refuse.

The simple wedding ceremony took place in Aziz's living room. Only a few witnesses were present-no friends from college, no festivities, no joy. Alena even felt awkward in the overly simple wedding attire, lacking the white gown she had often dreamed of. Aziz, too, wore only formal attire, as if this were merely a business meeting.

"It's official!" declared the wedding witness, marking the moment Alena was now officially Aziz's wife. Her chest felt tight-not with happiness, but with a bitter reality that was hard to swallow.

Alena sat on the edge of the bed, staring at the wedding ring wrapped around her finger. It felt strange, very strange. Just weeks ago, she was an ordinary college student spending her days on campus, working on her thesis, and gossiping with friends. But now, she was the wife of a 38-year-old widower she didn't love, living in a large house that felt foreign to her.

The wedding had happened so quickly, even faster than she could have imagined. Aziz, now her husband, had made every decision decisively. There was no time for elaborate preparations, no grand celebration like most women envisioned for their weddings. Everything was simple, as if it were just a formality.

Alena hadn't even had a chance to tell her college friends. She couldn't imagine what they would say if they found out she had married a man much older than her, a man with two teenage children.

"I'm married now..." Alena murmured to herself, still unable to believe the monumental change in her life.

Suddenly, the bedroom door opened, and Aziz walked in. He looked calm, as always, as if nothing had changed in his life.

"Are you ready to meet the kids?" he asked bluntly.

Alena nodded slowly, though her heart was pounding. She hadn't met Aziz's two children yet. They had been staying with their grandmother while the house was prepared for Alena's arrival. Now, it was time for the meeting she had been dreading-meeting her stepchildren.

Aziz studied her briefly before saying, "Sasya and Zizi might need time to adjust. They've been without a mother for quite a while."

His words didn't do much to calm Alena's nerves. She could only hope for the best, though deep down, she knew it wouldn't be easy.

When Alena descended to the living room, she was met with a frosty atmosphere. Sasya, a 15-year-old girl, sat on the couch with a skeptical expression. Zizi, the younger one, merely glanced at Alena with an unreadable look. There were no smiles, no warm greetings. Only awkward silence.

"Hi, I'm Alena..." Alena began, trying to sound friendly. "It's nice to meet you."

Sasya eyed her from head to toe, as if assessing every detail of her new stepmother's appearance. "Dad said you're still in college?" she asked coldly.

Alena nodded, feeling a bit nervous. "Yes, I'm in my sixth semester."

Sasya smirked slightly before saying in a sarcastic tone, "So, you married Dad so you wouldn't have to work? Must be nice."

Her words felt like a slap to Alena's face. She didn't know how to respond. Aziz, who was standing beside her, let out a long sigh and said firmly, "Sasya, that's enough."

But Sasya simply scoffed and turned her attention back to her phone. "I'm just saying what I see."

Alena felt frozen, and the tension in the room grew thicker. Zizi, who was sitting next to her sister, remained silent, showing no reaction. Her face was blank, as if she didn't care about Alena's presence.

"I'm sorry if I might not be the best mother yet," Alena said softly, trying to ease the situation. "I hope we can take the time to get to know each other."

Sasya just laughed bitterly. "Mother? Don't count on it. We don't need a stepmother."

Aziz gave his daughter a sharp look. "Sasya, I said enough."

But the girl only shrugged indifferently, as if ignoring her father's reprimand.

Alena lowered her head, holding back the sadness that started to swell in her chest. She knew this would be hard, but she never imagined it would be this difficult. The first meeting with Aziz's children had already left her feeling rejected, and she wasn't sure how to move forward in this household.

After a quiet and awkward dinner, Alena returned to the bedroom. The room was spacious and luxurious, but she felt out of place. This wasn't her home, not a place where she felt comfortable.

She sat on the edge of the bed, looking at the large mirror in the corner of the room. Her face looked tired-more tired than usual. This marriage was too sudden, and she wasn't ready to face all the changes that came with it.

As she was lost in thought, the bedroom door opened slowly. Aziz entered and looked at her with a serious expression.

"I know this isn't easy for you," Aziz said as he approached. "But please, give them time. Sasya and Zizi need time to accept this situation."

Alena only nodded, though deep inside, she doubted it. Time? How much time would it take for them to accept her? Could she endure until that moment came?

Aziz sighed and sat beside her. "I married you because I believe you can be part of this family. I know you have a good heart, and that's what they need."

The words sounded sincere, but for some reason, Alena felt there was still a great distance between them. Aziz was always calm and rational, as if everything could be resolved with a cool head. But for Alena, this was more than just adaptation-it was about finding her place in a world she hadn't chosen for herself.

"And... I'm sorry," Aziz spoke again. "I know we still need time to adjust. So tonight, we... hmmm, I mean, let's not do anything expected of a first night. You understand, don't you?"

"Y-yes." Alena nodded quickly, feeling both relieved and nervous. The fear that had gripped her chest began to fade.

The night grew late, but Alena still couldn't sleep. Her mind kept racing, imagining how she would face the days ahead. The first meeting with Sasya and Zizi had clearly not gone well-it felt like a total failure.

Suddenly, her phone vibrated. A message popped up from one of her college friends.

[Lena, where have you been? When are we hanging out again?]

Alena stared at the screen with mixed feelings. How could she explain everything to her friends? They didn't know what had happened. They didn't know that Alena was now married and living with two stepchildren who hated her.

[Sorry, I've been super busy lately,] Alena replied, choosing not to reveal the truth.

After sending the message, she looked at the ring on her finger again. How had her life changed so quickly? And what would happen next?