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

beautiful, at least not in her

college days, some people had complimented her on her

often commented on her lack of skill in applying makeup. As her workload increased, she gradually abandoned the practice, at most opting

you…” Linda was about to speak when a black

was captivated by the figure stepping

It was Leslie.

a black shirt and trousers with

he ascended the steps, a gentle breeze tousled his smooth hair, and his deep, handsome features gleamed

too long as Leslie turned his head and caught her gaze, causing Aurelia

her head and nervously tugged

on Aurelia’s face,

same woman from

unusually fair, with only a

lit up with a gentle, rosy glow in the sunlight, presenting a delicate

day.

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

she was asking for money so

Linda and approached to greet him. “Hi,

need to get back

straight into the hall.

for a meeting. Hurry

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

for Linda’s sake and followed Leslie

The

getting married that day was

and taking photos, the entire process

received the marriage certificate and looked at

a few seconds, her mind went blank before she could

must be acknowledged that Leslie appeared

civil affairs bureau’s camera to capture her

approached to admire the couple’s marriage

a beautiful couple. My judgment is

compliments, Linda took a key from her bag and

in today, cultivate your relationship, and let me

feeling too embarrassed to

‘Miss‘? Call

don’t tease

Aurelia felt awkward.

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

earnestly, almost pleading for her to agree to

to her, Aurelia

certificate now, and legally married couples living separately

the money without fulfilling

about taking things one step at

move

she said this, she felt a cold and piercing gaze

She looked back.

What’s he looking at?

having second thoughts about Aurelia moving in and

raised an eyebrow

dared to scrutinize him so boldly. She indeed had quite the audacity. Was she so eager to move

moving in so eagerly?”

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

caught hold

company

Leslie nodded indifferently. “Yes.”