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 as

considered particularly beautiful, at least not in her

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

workload increased, she gradually abandoned the

to speak when a black Volkswagen pulled up,

by the figure stepping

It was Leslie.

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

ascended the steps, a gentle breeze tousled his smooth hair,

had been staring for too long as Leslie turned his head and caught her gaze, causing Aurelia to freeze

her head

on Aurelia’s face, showing no sign

she the same

was unusually fair, with only a

glow in the sunlight, presenting a delicate allure that

day.

caught the sight of the fifty–thousand check in Aurelia’s hand, and

was asking for money so

Linda and

get back to

straight into the hall.

Hurry

harbored no favorable feelings toward her. Even

for Linda’s

The

of couples getting married

forms and taking photos, the entire process took around

the marriage certificate and

blank before she could believe

that Leslie

look bad either. She hadn’t expected the civil affairs bureau’s camera to capture her in such a

admire the couple’s

beautiful couple. My judgment is indeed

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

Move in today,

too embarrassed to

me ‘Miss‘? Call

don’t tease

Aurelia felt awkward.

daughter–in- law to have two kids in three years. But since you’re already

looked at Aurelia earnestly, almost pleading for her to agree to

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

now, and legally married couples living separately

also couldn’t just take the money without fulfilling her

taking things one step

move in

she felt a cold and piercing gaze and turned

She looked back.

What’s he looking at?

having second thoughts about Aurelia moving in and planning to

raised an eyebrow in mild

quite the audacity. Was she so eager to move

in so eagerly?”

then withdrew his gaze and said coldly, “I’m

displeased, caught hold of

the company collapse

Leslie nodded indifferently. “Yes.”