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

considered particularly beautiful, at least not in her own

complimented her on her

she gradually abandoned the practice, at most opting

was about to speak when a black Volkswagen

the figure

It was Leslie.

a black shirt

a gentle breeze tousled his smooth

Leslie turned his head and caught her gaze,

somewhat self–conscious, she quickly lowered her head and nervously

on Aurelia’s face, showing no sign

the same woman

with

sunlight, presenting a delicate allure that starkly contrasted

day.

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

she was asking for money

Linda and approached to greet him.

need to get back

straight into the hall.

meeting. Hurry up,”

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

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

The

of couples getting married that day

forms and taking photos, the entire process took around twenty

the marriage certificate and looked

seconds, her mind went blank before she could believe she had

that

hadn’t expected the civil affairs bureau’s camera to capture her in such a

admire the couple’s marriage

My judgment is indeed

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

apartment. Move in today, cultivate your relationship, and let

feeling too

calling me ‘Miss‘? Call me Mom,”

tease

Aurelia felt awkward.

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

Aurelia earnestly, almost pleading for her to agree to

kindness to her, Aurelia couldn’t bear to

now, and legally married couples

couldn’t just take the money without fulfilling her

taking things one step at

move in

and piercing gaze and

She looked back.

What’s he looking at?

second thoughts about Aurelia moving in

eyebrow in mild

She indeed had quite the audacity. Was she so eager

moving in so eagerly?” Leslie

gaze and said coldly, “I’m heading back

caught hold

the company collapse

Leslie nodded indifferently. “Yes.”