Forced to Be Stepmom
Bad Gossip

Leo was very surprised to hear Andra's words. She looked at Vio many times.

"Are you sure that's okay? Papa's sure that mom's gonna get hysterical and come back down if we take her to Leah's grave".

Looks Leo who is not sure of what Andra is considering.

"Well, if we don't try, then mom will keep lying to herself. Mama will continue to live in delusion because she does not want to accept the fact that Leah is gone. We need to help wake up my mom and make her understand, Pah. Poor Lathan, if she continues not to be considered by her own grandmother".

Once again Leo was silent to Andra's words. It was not an easy thing to agree with what Andra said because Vio's unstable emotions could make things worse

"I understand that Papa is very worried about my mom. But if we don't try it, then we won't know what kind of development mama is now, Pah".

Andra tries to convince Leo slowly so that he can let Vio fight his grief and accept the fact that Lea is gone.

Leo fell silent with one hand propping his chin. He considered what Andra said.

"You're right, but Papa is still afraid if later mom's health even drop"

"That's how Pah. How about we consult with your doctor first? If you're allowed to go to Lea's grave, then we'll go there"

"Alright, Papa agrees. We'll consult with your doctor first"

"Yes, Pah".

Eventually Leo and Andra agreed to consult the doctor first.

...****************...

Meanwhile, Lathan School.

Lathan and her friends are on break. As usual, he was busy with his tablet. Suddenly a teacher walked up to Lathan.

"Lathan, is your wound any better? Why don't you let me in for the next few days?" ask a teacher who approached Lathan.

Lathan lowered her head writing down what she wanted to say.

"I'm getting better. There is only a healing stage left" Lathan wrote on her tablet.

"really? But what I see, you're trying hard to show that you're okay. Like something you're hiding. Did something happen to you?" the teacher said confidently.

Lathan looked at the teacher with a cynical look.

"How did you know that I was? My mother is not close to me. My mom only met me when I was teaching in class. We never spend any time together and have a chat or anything"

Lathan firmly said that the teacher did not know about him even though his voice was not too loud.

Teacher Lathan was stunned to hear the answer from her protege.

"Mother didn't mean that. I just don't want you to keep your own problems. You can share your problems with Mom".

Lathan's teacher insists that Lathan share her problems.

"Yes, if you don't have a problem. But if something happens to you or maybe you receive bad treatment from your stepmother, you can talk to Mom".

Lathan is getting annoyed at hearing the nonsense from her teacher.

"My mom is not that kind of person. My mom loves me very much. Although she is not my birth mother, she treats me like her own child. Sorry ma'am, if there's nothing else to talk about, I'll go back to class. Excuse me".

Lathan spoke out loud and left her teacher.

"Pity. Surely the boy had been subjected to unpleasant treatment from his stepmother, therefore he had always been aloof and did not dare to socialize".

Teacher Lathan continued to talk to herself while watching Lathan walk further and further away. He did not realize that there were other fellow teachers listening to his words.

"Mom Jane? What are you talking about?" ask another teacher

"Eh? Vina Ma'am? That, Mom. I noticed that since Mr. Radit remarried, Lathan has spent more time alone with his tablet. He was never seen socializing with his other friends. Maybe there's something hard she's dealing with at home".

Ms. Jane began to tell Lathan about her suspicions with a worried look on her face.

Ms. Vina listened carefully as she looked at Lathan's back.

"Are you sure about what Ms Jane said? Maybe Lathan would rather be alone, right?" said Ms. Vina trying to convince.

"Definitely, Mom. All I know is that Lathan is a cheerful and smart boy. But since her father married, she has changed. He also always asked to go home quickly. Maybe he was not allowed to play first by his parents now, right?"

Ms. Vina nodded her head many times in response to what her colleague said.

"Is that right? If what you're worried about is true, then we should try to tell Mr. Radit what happened to his son, right?" said Bu Vina full of determination.

"That's it, Mom. How about we find evidence about Mr. Radit's wife's crime? If it is proven that he committed violence or exploitation on Lathan, then we can ask the child protection agency to take action. Moreover, they are not ordinary people, do not rule out the possibility also if they cover the ugliness of their home with good that is always displayed in public?"

Ms. Jane makes her own speculations about the relationship between Andra and Lathan. While Miss Vina just nodded her head many times responding to Ms. Jane while considering her words.

"But, Miss Jane, how can we find evidence about Lathan's mother? He rarely visited school. If they visit, they'll just pick up Lathan, after which they'll leave the school.We won't have the chance to meet and ask Lathan directly". said Bu Vina expressed her confusion.

"Mom Vina was right too. Do we need to visit his house and ask people directly around their house?"

Ms. Jane gave her opinion to Ms. Vina in a calm and confident manner.

"Yes, we can do that. We can come to Mr. Radit's house and ask about the family's relationship with the neighbors around their house".

While Vina and Jane are considering how to investigate Lathan and Andra's relationship, there are others listening to their conversation.

"I heard from Ms. Jane and Ms. Vina, she said Lathan received bad treatment from her stepmother"

"Correct? Maybe you heard it wrong"

"Cannot be. I heard myself when Jane and Vina were talking about how to investigate Andra and Lathan. If proven violent, they will ask for help from the protection agency"

Soon strange rumors about Lathan being abused by her stepmother spread widely in school. They started talking about Lathan and Andra.