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.”

of Linda’s

beautiful, at least not in her own

complimented her on her looks, but things

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

about to speak when a black Volkswagen

was captivated by the figure stepping out of

It was Leslie.

shirt and trousers with a couple of buttons undone at the

his smooth hair,

as Leslie turned his head and caught

self–conscious, she quickly lowered her head and nervously tugged at her

face, showing no

same

with

face lit up with a gentle, rosy glow in the sunlight, presenting a delicate allure that starkly contrasted

day.

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

asking for money

and approached to greet him.

to get back

straight into the hall.

for a meeting. Hurry up,” Leslie interrupted

feelings toward her. Even his casual

saying anything for Linda’s sake and followed Leslie into

The

married that day

the

marriage certificate and looked

her mind went blank before she could believe she had

must be acknowledged that Leslie

the civil affairs bureau’s camera to capture her

to admire the

My judgment is indeed

from her bag and handed it to Aurelia in

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

too embarrassed

Call me Mom,”

tease me

Aurelia felt awkward.

her daughter–in- law to have two kids in three years. But since

earnestly, almost pleading for her to agree to

Linda’s kindness to her,

the marriage certificate now, and legally married couples living

just take the

was thinking about taking things one

move

she felt a cold and piercing gaze and turned to

She looked back.

What’s he looking at?

moving in and planning to

raised an eyebrow

indeed had quite the audacity. Was she so eager to move into his

moving in so

and said coldly, “I’m heading back to

displeased, caught hold of

company

Leslie nodded indifferently. “Yes.”