Menantu Pahlawan Negara by Sarjana

Chapter 4

Aurelia arrived early at the Civil Affairs Bureau, finishing her bread just as Linda unexpectedly showed up.

“Ms. Linda, what brings you here?” Aurelia inquired.

Linda smiled as she spoke, “I couldn’t bear to miss such a significant

With that, she reached into her bag and handed Aurelia a carefully wrapped gift, emphasizing the importance of the occasion.

“Aurelia, going forward, Leslie will lean on you quite a bit. Consider this a small gesture of a mother–in–law’s affection,” Linda conveyed, her eyes radiating warmth.

Perplexed, Aurelia opened the gift to find a five hundred–thousand–dollar cheque.

She looked at Linda with disbelief, saying, “This is too much. That’s not necessary.”

Linda stopped Aurelia from returning the check. She smiled and said, “It’s not too much. You deserve it.”

“Me… Deserving?”

Aurelia widened her eyes. Lately, she had been bombarded with words like, “You’re about to be an orphan, who would want you? Who would still like you? Who would protect you?”

Her boyfriend of three years betrayed her, and even the caregiver bullied her.

She had thought she was about to be abandoned by the world, but at this moment, she felt a long–lost warmth.

Aurelia, who had been holding back for a long time, teared up.

There were too many words in her mind, but she didn’t know where to start.

“Ms. Linda, thank you.”

“Silly child, I know you’re going through a tough time. I understand you may be reluctant to ask me for help. Soon, we’ll be a family, and you don’t have to pretend to be tough in front of me. Accept it with peace of mind,” Linda said, gently patting Aurelia’s head.

Aurelia felt a warm sensation in her chest.

No matter how much they gave, those who truly loved you never seemed enough, while those who didn’t love you felt like they took too much.

Such an example was the Martinez family.

Unwilling to give and wanting even more from her.

As Linda spoke, she suddenly leaned closer to Aurelia’s face.

“You’re getting married today, and you’re not wearing makeup?” she asked.

Aurelia shook her head and asked, “Isn’t makeup not allowed for ID photos?”

Linda chuckled heartily, “Why are you such an honest child? Something as important as a lifetime commitment can’t be taken so casually. Luckily, I brought some makeup. I’ll give you

a makeup look that enhances your natural beauty.”

Upon hearing this, Aurelia couldn’t suppress a wry smile. Linda was familiar with the concept of pseudo–natural makeup

Before Aurelia could refuse, Linda’s foundation had already been applied to her face. She had no choice but to let Linda do her makeup.

A few minutes later, Linda looked at Aurelia with satisfaction.

“Aurelia, you’re naturally beautiful. Why don’t you dress up more often?”

“Ms. Linda, you don’t have to comfort me.”

Linda’s

considered particularly beautiful, at

complimented her on her looks, but things changed after getting together with

gradually abandoned the practice, at most opting for a

to speak when a

captivated by the figure

It was Leslie.

exuded a casual, laid–back vibe, dressed in a black shirt and trousers with a

his smooth hair, and his deep, handsome features gleamed in the morning

Leslie turned his

head and

lingered on Aurelia’s face, showing

she the same woman from

with only a few freckles as

rosy glow in the sunlight, presenting a delicate allure that starkly contrasted

day.

his eyes caught the sight of the fifty–thousand check

she was asking for

and approached to

to get back to

straight into the hall.

meeting. Hurry up,” Leslie interrupted and

no favorable feelings toward her. Even

anything for Linda’s sake

The

getting married

photos, the entire process

marriage certificate and looked at the photo on

before she could believe she

must be acknowledged that Leslie

didn’t look bad either. She hadn’t expected the civil affairs bureau’s camera

approached to admire the couple’s

beautiful couple. My judgment is indeed

a key from her bag and handed it to

key to Leslie’s apartment. Move in today, cultivate your relationship, and

Linda!” Aurelia hesitated, feeling too embarrassed to look at

calling me ‘Miss‘? Call me Mom,” Linda

don’t tease me like

Aurelia felt awkward.

mother–in–law who pressures her daughter–in- law to have two kids in three years. But

Aurelia earnestly, almost pleading

about Linda’s kindness to her, Aurelia couldn’t bear

now, and legally

couldn’t just take the money without fulfilling her

about taking things

I’ll move

felt a cold and piercing gaze and

She looked back.

What’s he looking at?

moving in and planning to discuss

eyebrow in mild

had quite the audacity. Was she

in so eagerly?”

withdrew his gaze and said coldly, “I’m heading back

displeased, caught hold of

the company

Leslie nodded indifferently. “Yes.”