Dear Ex-wife Marry Me by Twin Bridge

After delivering his awkward attempt at humor, Abner was at a loss for words. In Shirley's presence, he always seemed to lose his

knack for conversation.

Shirley had intended to pass him sfood, as she had in the past, but a sudden realization stopped her cold; things between

them had changed too much to go back to the way they once were.

Silence descended upon the room.

Maja felt that lan's kindness wouldn't take long to repay. She touched her belly subconsciously, drawing lan's attention away from

Abner's failed joke. His concern was immediate.

"You okay?"

"Just a bit off. I need sfresh air," she said.

"Lethelp you."

Together, they stood and left the private dining room.

Their departure only heightened the awkwardness between Shirley and Abner.

He poured her another cup of tea, while she observed the long fingers that gracefully handled the teacup.

The first tShirley had seen Abner, he was lanky and pale, clearly malnourished. It had taken a year of care to nurse him back to

health.

a word after final exams? Did my parents

"No."

time, his fingers slowly gripping

n"Shirley" beca lump in

lips twitched into a reluctant smile as she reached out to ruffle his hair. Only after the gesture did she realize

a 24-year-old man. Embarrassed, she

My parents were harsh back then,

you always seemed so busy. Whenever I

behind a screen, I can't read your expressions. You were always hard to read, and I worried that I'd

a teenager, Abner had been fiercely independent. Shirley had practically had to teach him everything

from his rural

glanced at his face, concerned she'd upset him by messing up his hair. Just as she was about to apologize, he

in closer. He had a stubborn streak, but

was about to ask what he

spotting Abner leaning in, head

something?"

side, clenched into a

strode over to his seat, grabbed his forgotten phone, and headed out with a

the bill. Maja's feeling a

Abner would've

lan who insisted on treating them? What kind of nonsense was leaving without paying

waste tcalling over a waiter. He had the eerie feeling that every second counted, as if ghosts

him.

standing outside for air, watched him hurry