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

beautiful, at least not in

on her

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

to speak when a black Volkswagen pulled up, interrupting

by the figure stepping

It was Leslie.

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

the steps, a gentle breeze tousled his smooth

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

quickly lowered her head and nervously

Aurelia’s face,

the same woman

fair, with only

sunlight, presenting a

day.

fifty–thousand check in Aurelia’s hand, and his expression

she was asking for money so

and approached to

need to get back to

straight into the hall.

meeting. Hurry up,” Leslie interrupted and

feelings toward her.

refrained from saying anything for Linda’s sake and

The

married

and taking photos, the entire process took around twenty

and looked

her mind went blank before she could

that Leslie appeared exceptionally

expected the civil affairs bureau’s camera to capture her in such

admire the couple’s

a beautiful couple. My judgment is

a key from her bag and handed it to Aurelia in front of

the key to Leslie’s apartment. Move in today, cultivate your relationship, and let me have my grandchildren

hesitated, feeling too embarrassed

calling me ‘Miss‘? Call me Mom,”

tease me like

Aurelia felt awkward.

the kind of mother–in–law who pressures her daughter–in- law to have two kids in three years. But since you’re already married, are you planning to live separately?

earnestly, almost pleading for her to agree

about Linda’s kindness to her, Aurelia

and

the

about taking things one step at

move

and piercing gaze

She looked back.

What’s he looking at?

second thoughts about Aurelia moving in

eyebrow in

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

about moving in

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

displeased, caught

company collapse without

Leslie nodded indifferently. “Yes.”