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 words as

considered particularly beautiful, at least not in

on her looks, but things changed

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

you…” Linda was about to speak when a

by the figure

It was Leslie.

in a black shirt

his smooth hair, and his deep, handsome features gleamed

long as Leslie turned his head and caught her

head and nervously

on Aurelia’s face, showing no sign of

same woman from

complexion was unusually fair, with only a few

makeup on, Aurelia’s face lit up with a gentle, rosy glow in the sunlight, presenting a delicate allure that starkly contrasted with her pale and weary appearance from the

day.

Leslie approached, his eyes caught the sight of the fifty–thousand check in Aurelia’s hand, and

was asking

nudged by Linda and approached to greet him.

get back to

straight into the hall.

for a meeting. Hurry up,”

truly harbored no favorable feelings toward her.

from saying anything for Linda’s sake and followed Leslie into the

The

couples getting married that

out forms and taking photos, the

and looked at the

mind went blank before

that Leslie appeared exceptionally

She hadn’t expected the civil affairs bureau’s

to admire

My judgment

a round of compliments, Linda took a key from her bag and handed it to Aurelia in front

in today, cultivate your relationship, and let

Aurelia hesitated, feeling too

Call me Mom,”

don’t tease me

Aurelia felt awkward.

kids in three years. But since you’re already married, are you planning

earnestly, almost pleading for her to agree

Linda’s kindness to her, Aurelia couldn’t

had the marriage certificate now, and legally married

take the money

taking things one step at

I’ll move in

a cold and piercing gaze and turned to

She looked back.

What’s he looking at?

about Aurelia moving in and planning to discuss

eyebrow in

indeed had quite the audacity. Was

about moving in so eagerly?”

gaze and said coldly, “I’m heading back to

caught hold

company

Leslie nodded indifferently. “Yes.”