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.”

thought of Linda’s words

wasn’t considered particularly beautiful, at least not in her own

her college days, some people had complimented her on her looks, but things changed after getting

her lack of skill in applying makeup. As her workload increased, she gradually abandoned the practice, at most opting for a touch of lipstick for

about to speak when a black

captivated by the figure stepping out of

It was Leslie.

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

ascended the steps, a gentle breeze tousled his smooth

turned his head and caught her gaze, causing Aurelia to

lowered her head and nervously tugged

lingered on Aurelia’s face, showing no

same woman from

with

Aurelia’s face lit up with a gentle, rosy glow in the sunlight, presenting a

day.

of the fifty–thousand

asking for money

nudged by Linda and approached to

to get back

straight into the hall.

a meeting. Hurry

Leslie truly harbored no favorable feelings toward her. Even his casual acknowledgment felt

refrained from saying anything for Linda’s sake

The

married that

photos, the

the marriage certificate and looked at

a few seconds, her mind went blank before she could believe she

be acknowledged that Leslie

hadn’t expected the civil

admire the couple’s

My judgment

Linda took a key from her bag and handed

the key to Leslie’s apartment. Move in today, cultivate your relationship, and let me have

too embarrassed

me ‘Miss‘? Call

don’t tease

Aurelia felt awkward.

her daughter–in- law to have two kids in three years. But since you’re already married, are you planning

almost pleading for

Linda’s kindness to her,

had the marriage certificate now, and legally married couples living separately wouldn’t

couldn’t just take the money

things one step at

I’ll move in

she felt a cold and piercing

She looked back.

What’s he looking at?

thoughts about Aurelia moving in and

eyebrow in mild

dared to scrutinize him so boldly. She indeed had quite

moving in so

said coldly, “I’m heading back to

caught hold

company

Leslie nodded indifferently. “Yes.”