Hi Ex, Your Uncle Is My Hubby Now - Chapter 62: Chapter 62

Her face twisted in agony, but she forced it down. Then, looking Anthony dead in the eye, she offered a cryptic line, completely deadpan. "My name's not important."
Anthony rubbed his sore arm, scowling at Valerie. "Are you this violent with everyone, or am I just lucky?"
"Nope. I only get rough with idiots," Valerie replied, flashing a mischievous grin.
Anthony was speechless.
Yeah, that one landed. Hard.
He gave her a dark look and walked out, still nursing his pride.
A moment later, Irene came over with her briefcase and ran right into him.
"What happened to your arm?" she asked, eyes narrowing at his left side.
Anthony's face looked like he'd just swallowed a lemon. "Your iron-fisted bestie—does she have rage issues or something?"
Irene immediately put two and two together. She bit back a laugh and said, "She's got a short fuse, yeah. Word of advice—don't mess with her. When she's in a mood, even stray dogs on the street get kicked."
Anthony's expression darkened. "Did you just call me a dog?"
"No," Irene grinned. "You're a princess." She burst into laughter and left him fuming as she headed into the lounge.
Before Irene could say a word, Valerie cut in, clearly annoyed. "You didn't tell me your business partner was Anthony."
"You know him?" Irene blinked—she was sure she'd never mentioned Anthony to Valerie before.
But if Valerie could call him by name, she clearly knew who he was.
Then Valerie dropped a bomb. "Anthony is married to my cousin."
"…Wait, what?" Irene was stunned.
"Anthony? The golden boy from the Viremont City? Your cousin's husband?"
After Valerie's father Layton Ward passed away, she was sent to live with her aunt's family in Draymont City. Irene had met her cousin Jaycee a few times back in school.
Jaycee was unforgettable—always wearing her hair in a sleek high ponytail, eyes sharp with confidence from years of taekwondo training.
She doted on Valerie and was generous to a fault. Whenever she came to pick Valerie up from school, she'd take Irene along for coffee.
Later, she moved to Viremont City for work. Last Irene heard, she'd become a bodyguard for the heir of a wealthy family.
Then came the surprise announcement—she'd married that heir, becoming the lady of a prestigious household.
But after college, Irene lost contact. She hadn't heard anything since.
Now, finding out that this cousin—Jaycee—was Anthony's late wife? Irene could barely believe it.
Valerie leaned back against the sofa, throwing an arm over her forehead.
Her voice was quiet, strained with emotion. "Four years ago, my cousin joined Anthony's father and older brother on a trip to a border region. They were inspecting a rare metal mining project—something with major potential for semiconductor research, really high-value stuff.
"But during that trip, they were ambushed by rebel forces from a neighboring country. My cousin managed to get Anthony's father and brother out…but she didn't make it. She got caught in the crossfire and was surrounded. They say she was captured and executed—brutally."
Just a few words, but they landed like a gut punch.
Jaycee's death wasn't just tragic—it was heroic.
"Why didn't you ever tell me?" Irene asked softly.
"It was classified," Valerie replied. "We signed NDAs. I wasn't allowed to talk about it."
If she hadn't run into Anthony today—if those painful memories hadn't come rushing back—Valerie probably still wouldn't have said a word.
No wonder Anthony looked so hollow when he mentioned his late wife at the memorial. That kind of grief couldn't be faked.
Jaycee's death wasn't just about protecting her in-laws. It was a sacrifice for something far bigger—for national security.
What man wouldn't be haunted by a woman like that?
Chances were, Anthony would never truly move on from the web Jaycee had left behind.
"I don't think he recognized you," Irene murmured.
Valerie brushed her hair back, revealing her heavily made-up face. "Looking like this? I don't blame him."
Fair enough.
"Come on," Irene said, standing. "Let me treat you to beef steak. If food can't heal the soul, nothing can."
She dragged Valerie to the nearest restaurant, where they also saw a comedy performance put on by invited actors.
Valerie ended up laughing until her cheeks turned pink—and for a little while, at least, she forgot the ache in her heart.