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.

you take off without a word after final exams? Did my parents give

"No."

cquicker this time, his fingers slowly gripping

in his throat

she reached out to ruffle his hair. Only after the gesture did she

a 24-year-old man. Embarrassed, she quickly withdrew

parents were harsh back then, said spretty mean stuff before I could

contact, and you always seemed so

were

teenager, Abner had been fiercely independent. Shirley had practically

from his

she'd upset him by messing up his hair. Just as she was about to

his head in closer. He had a stubborn streak, but

was about to ask what he was

spotting Abner leaning in, head close

or something?" lan's brow furrowed in

dangling at his side, clenched into a

over to his seat, grabbed his forgotten phone, and headed

bill. Maja's feeling a bit off, so I'm

wasn't there, Abner would've hurled a

them? What kind of nonsense was leaving without paying the

the eerie feeling that every second counted, as if

him.

standing outside for air, watched