Lucy, their strict stepmother, never let Nate and Gina visit their mother’s grave and never explained why. One day, they sneaked out of the house and went to the cemetery. When they finally got to their mother’s grave, they couldn’t believe their eyes. Someone was sitting there, crying. It was Lucy.

Angry and confused, Nate and Gina confronted her. “Why do you get to visit Mom’s grave, but we can’t?” Nate demanded. Gina added, “You never even told us why!”

Lucy looked up at them with tears in her eyes. She broke down, sobbing. “Your mother… she was my best friend,” she began. “We were inseparable in college, but then life took us in different directions. We promised each other that if anything ever happened to one of us, the other would take care of our family.”

She paused, wiping her tears. “I thought I was protecting you by keeping you away. I didn’t want you to see me break down like this. I miss her so much, and I thought I was honoring her by being strong for you.”

Nate and Gina were silent for a moment, then they both hugged Lucy. “We’re a family,” Gina said softly. “We should visit Mom’s grave together.”

From that day on, they visited the grave together, sharing stories and memories. The bond between them grew stronger, and they found comfort in each other. Lucy was no longer just the strict stepmother; she was a loving guardian who cherished their mother as much as they did.