Hi Ex, Your Uncle Is My Hubby Now - Chapter 69: Chapter 69

She said with a wry smile, "When the time comes, remember to bring double flowers—some for me, and some for my dad."
Irene tried to laugh, but her eyes welled up first. She snapped, "Shut up! Even after you're gone, you're still thinking about my money?"
She grinned and teased, "How about I bring a few hot male models to dance before your grave every year? I'll switch up the styles each time so you won't get bored!"
"That'd be perfect! Just grab some life-size cutouts of male celebrities from the mall and pay them to dance for me—then I can finally say I've hooked up with my idol," Valerie teased, still being picky.
Irene rolled her eyes. "Oh, you're so shameless!" she teased, then immediately asked, "So, who's your celebrity crush?"
Valerie grinned and said, "Young Leonardo DiCaprio."
Irene rolled her eyes. "Oh, you wish!"
The constant banter made the journey fly by, and soon, they exited the highway.
As they waited at the red light, Valerie abruptly said, "After this, I won't be back for quite some time. If I do return... it means mission accomplished."
Valerie added quietly, "If I don't come back... then I never will."
Valerie reached for her backpack in the back seat.
She clutched it tightly to her chest, her eyes downcast, unable to meet Irene's gaze.
Irene's hands trembled on the steering wheel, so lost in her emotions that she didn't even notice the light had turned green. Only when the cars behind her kept honking did she finally drive forward and pull over to the roadside.
Irene switched on the hazard lights, unlocked the doors, and stayed silent.
Valerie gripped the door handle, then turned back for one last look at Irene. "I'm off now, Rini. Take care."
After getting out of the car, Valerie, her head bowed, made her way toward the subway entrance without looking back.
Watching Valerie's figure recede in the rearview mirror, Irene was suddenly haunted by the horrific memory—Valerie plunging from the 26th floor, blood splattering across the tops of her feet.
Irene squeezed her eyes shut, tears streaming down her cheeks.
Suddenly, Irene bolted from the car and charged after Valerie.
She shouted, "Valerie!"
Valerie turned back in surprise, only to see Irene remove the lucky necklace from her own neck and place it around Valerie's.
Valerie gasped in surprise as she tried to take off the necklace. "This is the lucky necklace you've worn since you were a child—Your grandmother got it just for you. It keeps you safe, Irene. Don't give it to me!"
Irene gently caught Valerie's hand.
Valerie paused, then turned to look at Irene with hesitation in her eyes.
Irene gently touched the cross on the lucky necklace, her voice thick with emotion. "I once gave this to Dorian. But now, I want you to have it.
"Valerie, I've never been blessed with good fortune. But I want to give you every last drop of luck I've got.
"Keep it, dear. It'll put my mind at ease."
A surge of emotion welled up from deep within Valerie's chest, spreading through her entire body. She no longer refused and simply said, "Alright, I'll keep it."
Watching Valerie disappear into the subway entrance, Irene finally wiped away her tears and turned to leave.
After seeing Valerie off, Irene took the long way home before heading back to the apartment to have lunch with Ruth.
At the dining table, Ruth noticed the lucky necklace was missing from Irene's neck. Her face grew serious as she asked, "Where's your necklace?"
"I gave it to Valerie," Irene said plainly.
"You gave it to her?" Ruth looked a little surprised.
But knowing Valerie's background and witnessing her transformation over the years, Ruth had her suspicions.
She didn't blame Irene for giving the lucky necklace to Valerie without permission. Instead, she reassured her, "That necklace was blessed by the priest of Byress Church in Viremont City—it will keep Valerie safe."
"Next time I get the chance, I'll go to Byress Church in Viremont City and get you another one," Ruth said. After a moment's thought, she shook her head and added, "This time, I'll ask for a love charm—may your romantic journey be smooth and blessed."
Irene burst out laughing. "Oh Grandma, stop pulling my leg! The Byress Church in Viremont City is basically a national landmark. Their priest is such a big deal—you think ordinary folks like us can just waltz in and meet him?"
Irene had visited Byress Church back when she was studying in Viremont City.
Irene gave a self-deprecating smile. 'Let alone the priest, I never even got to meet any of the senior churchmen there.'
"Pfft, suit yourself then," Ruth chuckled along with her.