Dear Ex-wife Marry Me by Twin Bridge

Athena liked him so much-and yet she'd actually slapped him.

Tyler pressed his hand to his cheek, feeling the sting where her palm had landed.

All the frustration and humiliation he'd bottled up suddenly welled over,

threatening to spill out as hot tears.

Athena watched as he nearly kicked the bedroom door off its hinges. Her expression turned even colder.

"Get out."

Not only had she hit him, now she wanted him gone.

He lashed out with his foot again, kicking the door harder this time. "I'm not going anywhere! I want to see what you're hiding in this master bedroom!"

Athena grabbed his arm and pulled him back. "Tyler, are you out of your mind?"

Five red finger marks stood out on Tyler's cheek. Hearing her words, harsh and final, made him ache with more than just indignation; there was a sharp sadness too.

He hadn't agreed to break up. She was the one who'd said it was over, but in his mind, they were still together. They were still a couple.

Why shouldn't he be allowed in his girlfriend's bedroom? He'd come over so many times, and every single time, this door was locked tight. That only made him more curious.

Then there were the things Bert had said about how maybe Athena's feelings for him weren't real, about how maybe there was someone else. Tyler was terrified it could be true, that all the affection Athena had shown him was meant for another

man.

soup for him when he was sick, warmed his bed on cold nights. How could all that be for

Let me

since the small beauty mark on

you don't stop, get out.

Tyler was stunned. He couldn't believe she'd actually threaten

his face going pale. But Athena didn't hesitate—she pulled out her phone and, right in

she was serious, Tyler panicked. He kicked the door again, harder

wood finally gave way with

glare, he

room-its decor matched the rest of the apartment. But on the vanity, a photograph caught

woman

glowing with youth and happiness.

tiny, perfectly placed beauty mark on his nose-

a thick photo album. Every page, another picture of

same man.

crazed as he tore open the closet, rummaging desperately for more

and a few old trinkets-gifts from other people, clearly

all this time, stored away

give up, Tyler went back to the bed and snatched up the album. He flipped through it, page

candid shot, each one brimming