Hi Ex, Your Uncle Is My Hubby Now - Chapter 63: Chapter 63

With her mood lifted, Valerie's appetite returned.
She gripped the knife, cutting the steak as she casually updated Irene. "The number's registered under a guy named Kevin—Amaris's so-called fiancé.
"Abandoned as a baby. Raised by an old man who collected scrap for a living. Almost dropped out of middle school, but guess who paid for his high school and college? Dorian.
"After graduation, he started a security training company in Halverra City. Oh, and he and Amaris? High school classmates. Their thing wasn't a secret—everyone back then knew."
Valerie couldn't stand Dorian, but she had to admit—his schemes were flawless. "That man's a master manipulator. Honestly, I don't blame you for getting played so badly. That kind of setup? Even your underwear didn't survive."
Because really—who would've guessed that Amaris, living in Halverra City with her high school classmate Kevin, was secretly involved with Dorian?
The whole thing was airtight. Irene had been nothing more than a pawn. And pawns never see the board until it's too late.
"Sincerely loving someone isn't the crime," Valerie said flatly. "The problem is always the cheating scumbags.
"There's still real love out there. Just because one guy turned out to be garbage doesn't mean the whole world reeks."
She was genuinely worried Irene would give up on love altogether.
Because no matter what, life was meant to be lived with fire.
Irene could feel how much Valerie cared. After a pause, she looked Valerie in the eye and said sincerely, "Valerie, I swear I won't waste my life. You don't need to worry about me."
"That's all I needed to hear.
"Oh, right—Rini, what happened to Kevin in the previous life?" Valerie asked, genuinely curious about Kevin's fate.
Irene clicked her tongue. "They got married, and not long after, Amaris got pregnant. Right before she gave birth, Kevin died in a car accident.
"She went into labor from the shock, gave birth to a son. Then she brought the kid back to Eldraeth City and moved in with her family. A few months later, she married the widowed Dorian, thanks to a little matchmaking.
"Oh—and later they had a daughter. Named her Irene Barnes."
Valerie's jaw dropped. "Ugh. That is so twisted." She suddenly lost all interest in her food.
Then Irene asked, "So... what does Kevin even look like?"
Valerie replied honestly, "Not bad, honestly. Strong features, rugged vibe. Guy's got abs for days—definitely looks like he's good in bed."
Irene could practically picture him.
As Valerie was about to pop a slice of lamb into her mouth, Irene asked, "Do you think he… visits escorts?"
"What?" Valerie choked. The meat burned her tongue.
She quickly reached for her iced juice and gulped it down.
After catching her breath, she said, "I don't know why you're asking, but he's got a reputation for being strict—total self-discipline. Private life? Clean as a whistle."
Irene's smile was faint and unreadable. "Amaris's gorgeous—soft, sweet, the delicate type. When she cries, she melts hearts. When she smiles, it's like spring.
"She's exactly the kind of woman a guy like Kevin would fall for. And you're telling me he's been living with her, holding back, staying 'virtuous'? Please.
"I'd bet money—he's into her. Big time."
"You've got a point," Valerie nodded. "So what's the plan?"
Irene set her fork down. "I've decided to be the better person."
"I mean it. No one who loves that deeply deserves to be hurt like that. Kevin's clearly all-in. I'm gonna help him win her back."
Valerie gave a dramatic thumbs-up. "Genius. But how do you help them?"
She frowned. "With someone like Dorian in the picture, why would Amaris ever look twice at Kevin?"
"Easy," Irene said calmly. "All I have to do is keep Dorian stuck here—tie up his time, block his access to Halverra City. Let Amaris stew in paranoia.
"Then I'll feed Kevin just enough 'evidence' to think Dorian has fallen for me—and is ready to dump Amaris for me.
"And what do you think he'll do then?"
Valerie slapped the table, eyes gleaming. "Pounce! He'll make his move, steal the girl, and turn the fake engagement into a real romance!"
Irene snapped her fingers. "Exactly."
They shared a look—mischievous, calculating—and broke into matching grins.
"Rini, watching you scheme against cheaters and homewreckers is honestly hot. You should never date again. Love makes you dumb. Look how smart you are now!"
Irene didn't argue.
She took a long sip of her painfully sour lemonade and nodded solemnly. "I'm never getting married. If I get lonely, I'll just hire eighteen male models and have my fun.
"Love dulls the mind. Staying single keeps it sharp."
"To freedom!" she declared. "Valerie, cheers to us—two badass single women forever!"
Valerie stuck out her tongue. "Okay but… can I not be single forever? I still kinda want a man."
Irene was speechless.
"Traitor."
She raised a hand. "Waiter! Beers—two, please!"
Maybe it was the chili. Maybe it was the beer. Maybe it was the bitter lemon talking.
But by the time they stumbled out of the restaurant, they were arm-in-arm, tipsy, and glassy-eyed.
Both completely wasted. Valerie had her arm looped tightly around Irene's shoulders, clinging to her like a koala. "Rini… life is short, the night is shorter. I'm not going home. I'm off to find myself a male model."
She was a doomed undercover agent.