Hitched & Hitched Again: A Comedy of Marital Mayhem novel Chapter 1431

After the officers left, Tarquin asked Elysia to take the kids home first.

He still needed to head back to the old family house with the monks.

Elysia offered him a few words of comfort, then led the kids and her parents away.

Winona and Blossom left with them, while Keaton and Booker stayed behind.

It wasn’t until they’d left the cemetery that Winona finally blurted out,

“Jeez, today was intense, Elysia. I had no idea your folks were national heroes! I’ve never even heard a whisper about it before.”

Elysia replied,

“I only found out today, too. Tarquin told me they gave their lives for the safety of the people, but I don’t know the details.”

Winona looked shocked.

“I always thought the Bradford family had them killed over the inheritance. I mean, your dad was the sole heir, right?”

Blossom nodded quickly.

“Same here. That’s what everyone’s been saying all these years!”

“Seems like they must’ve been on some top-secret mission abroad or something,” she added, “otherwise, why would there be so many military bigwigs at the funeral?”

Clayton, who was driving, let out a sigh.

“Not all heroes get the spotlight. They kept this under wraps for over twenty years. Must’ve been tough on them.”

Elysia frowned,

“All these years, the Bradfords’ rumors made her out to be someone she wasn’t. People who didn’t know the truth judged her so harshly. But now—now the country’s set the record straight.”

After today, no one would dare say another bad word about her.

She was a recognized national hero.

She died for her country and her people—a true martyr.

Anyone who insulted her now would be going against the nation itself.

Everyone in the car nodded in agreement.

Only Elliot, sitting quietly, knew the real reason his grandparents were considered heroes.

He knew about the eighth-generation virus, but he couldn’t say a word.

That was classified—no good would come from talking about it.

His mind was racing: had they found any new clues about the virus or the mysterious figure today?

“…We couldn’t sleep.”

Elysia walked over and knelt down to ruffle their hair.

“Worried about your dad?”

Both boys nodded in unison.

“…Yeah.”

Elysia smiled softly.

“Don’t worry. Burying your grandparents was sad, but for your dad, it was also a relief. He won’t be broken up about it.”

The boys nodded again, reassured.

Just then, they heard movement downstairs. Spotting Tarquin coming in, all three hurried to meet him.

He was still in his black suit from earlier, looking a little worn out, but his eyes were gentle.

“Why aren’t you all asleep yet?” he asked.

Elysia watched him carefully, finally relaxing when she saw there was no sadness on his face.