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

her college days, some people had complimented her on her looks,

often commented on her lack of skill in applying makeup. As her workload increased, she gradually abandoned

speak when a black Volkswagen pulled

was captivated by the figure stepping

It was Leslie.

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

his smooth hair, and his deep, handsome features

had been staring for too long as Leslie turned his head

her head and

Aurelia’s face, showing

the same woman

with only a few freckles as

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

day.

fifty–thousand check in Aurelia’s hand, and

asking for

Linda and approached to

need to get back to f

straight into the hall.

Hurry

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

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

The

couples getting married that day

the entire process took around twenty

marriage certificate and looked at

her mind went blank before she

that Leslie appeared exceptionally

the civil affairs bureau’s camera to

to admire the couple’s

couple. My judgment is indeed

of compliments, Linda took a key from her bag

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

hesitated, feeling too embarrassed to look

‘Miss‘? Call me Mom,” Linda

tease

Aurelia felt awkward.

her daughter–in- law to have two kids in three years. But since you’re already married, are you planning to live separately? What do you think,

earnestly, almost pleading for her

to her, Aurelia

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

the money

thinking about taking things one step

I’ll move in

cold and piercing gaze and turned to look at

She looked back.

What’s he looking at?

he having second thoughts about Aurelia moving in and planning to

raised an eyebrow in mild

had quite the audacity. Was she so

about moving in so eagerly?”

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

displeased, caught hold

company collapse without

Leslie nodded indifferently. “Yes.”