Dear Ex-wife Marry Me by Twin Bridge

Kerwin started dating Athena their freshman year of college. One summer, they went to the beach together. It should've been a perfect day, but when a kid got swept out by the waves, Kerwin didn't hesitate—he jumped in to save him. The kid made it out fine, but Kerwin was rushed to the ER and never came back.

He really died, just like that.

Tyler found it almost absurd. He laughed, but the sound faded, and his smile drooped at the corners. He reached for another cigarette, only for Bert to snatch the pack off the table and toss it straight into the trash. "Seriously? How many have you had today? And did you forget we're in a hospital? No smoking."

Tyler rolled his eyes and turned back to stare out the window, uninterested in arguing.

Bert, meanwhile, couldn't help but leaf through the report again, shaking his head in disbelief. “Talk about cruel fate. Two people in love, just out enjoying a day at the beach, and then-bam—one of them is gone. Can you imagine being the one left behind? How do you ever forgive yourself? You'd replay it a thousand times: If only we'd gone somewhere else, if only we hadn't gone at all... Still, Kerwin-he died in the year Athena loved him most. And he loved her just as much."

He vanished from Athena's life at eighteen. After that, it didn't matter who came along-no one could ever compare to Kerwin.

Life just has a twisted sense of humor sometimes.

Bert shrugged, and his earlier judgment of Athena softened. After all, Tyler himself had said from the start it was just a fling for him-now he was the one tangled up, unable to let go, while Athena had already moved

on.

you notice? Kerwin died the same year you had your surgery. Weird coincidence, huh?

he's some saint. And guess what? The kid's mom took him home right after-never showed her face again. Was it worth it? Hell,

the report aside, a hint of regret in his voice. “That's people for

just snorted. In his

out an apple. “You want something to

He grabbed his cane,

knew better than to argue and followed

But as soon as they got

remembered the file he knew Kerwin was still Athena's deepest wound. Tyler was twisting the knife just for

the other end, it wasn't much—she probably hung up. Tyler just

the road, but couldn't resist giving advice. "If you actually want her back, maybe stop acting like

hear yourselfmagine some even

at you if your true love died. You'd lose your mind."

out the window. After a long silence, he finally

way, at least she'll remember

it's with hate, he thought. He'd take that, if love wasn't an