The cab driver clearly didn't buy her story. As Athena prepared to get out, he kept on with his concerned advice.

"Listen, sweetheart, your boyfriend seems like a good guy. That car following us? Bet it's his, right? Even after a fight, he's worried about you riding home alone."

Athena glanced down the street and, sure enough, spotted Tyler's car parked a short distance away.

But she didn't go to him. Right now, her mind was consumed by a need to uncover the truth from all those years ago.

Back in her apartment, Athena immediately pulled out her phone, searching online for information about that actor-Adam. But all she could find was his name; any details about his family were vague at best.

With nowhere else to turn, she messaged a few old contacts from the tabloid circuit, hoping someone might have dug up more about Adam's background.

Despite all her years in showbiz, Athena had never really built up much of a network. She disliked socializing, and now, faced with this investigation, she found herself at a loss.

She sat on her couch, wired some money to those reporters, but the information that came back was frustratingly sparse. No one seemed to know how to reach Adam's mother or his younger brother.

Athena's anxiety grew. She finally had a few leads, but now she was stuck, unsure how to move forward.

She crossed to the window and peered out. Tyler's car was still parked below.

If it were Tyler, with his connections, he'd probably have the answer in no time.

She drew a deep breath, thoughts spinning, but in the end, her decision was made. She grabbed her keys and headed out.

Downstairs, she stopped in front of Tyler's car. He was in the driver's seat, lost in thought, but when he saw her, surprise flashed across his face.

Athena tapped on the window. Tyler rolled it down right away. "Tyler."


He opened his mouth, clearly expecting her to tell him to leave.

But Athena's gaze lingered on his face. She noticed a tiny mole had reappeared

at the tip of his nose-exactly where it used to be.

For some reason, her heart ached at the sight.

She'd barely noticed during their talk earlier that he'd gone and had the mole put back. Typical Tyler-always the player pretending to have turned

Lover

a new leaf Why bother with this charade?

s

Her emotions tangled, but she couldn't help but ask, "So, your mole is back again?"

Tyler stiffened, like a cat whose tail had just been stepped on.

"It's my face, isn't it? I can do what I want with it! If I want to put it back, I will. What's it got to do with you? What, you came down here to kid kick me out? Newsflash, you don't own this street-I can park wherever I want." s

He was halfway through his tirade when Athena suddenly leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss to his lips.

It was as fleeting as a spring shower, but Tyler's pupils shrank as if struck by lightning. Every sharp word died in his throat.


A moment later, Athena walked around and slid into the passenger seat.

"You-"

"You-"

He stammered twice, lips trembling, utterly lost for words.

Athena buckled her seatbelt, leaned back, and said, "Let's not stay here. Take me home with you."

Tyler drove back in a daze,

half-convinced he was dreaming More than once he glanced over at the passenger seat, wondering if he was hallucinating from missing her so much. s

When they finally pulled up outside his house, he gripped the steering wheel in silence, making no move to get out.

Athena turned to him. "What kind of soup do you want tomorrow? I've learned a few new recipes lately."

That simple question hooked Tyler so completely, he forgot to breathe.

He didn't dare ask why Athena had suddenly changed her mind, or why she was

being kind again. He just followed her inside, his heart pounding.

In the bedroom, his hands moved with practiced ease, undressing her.


Athena didn't resist.

Tyler lost himself in her, clutching her as if afraid she'd vanish, kissing her over and over. He couldn't bear to let her go-not even as dawn broke through the window.

Chapter 2197

Athena was truly exhausted. More than once, she nearly drifted off to sleep, only to be jolted awake by what they were doing.

She gazed at Tyler, who was sprawled over her, his cheeks flushed with color and sweat streaming down his brow.

For all his faults, Tyler certainly kept himself in good shape.

She cupped his face in her hands, suddenly realizing she really did prefer him with that little mole. If it disappeared, she doubted she'd even want to speak to him.

But as Tyler looked at her, his eyes turned red and watery.

Damn it.

She couldn't deny it she did love that mole.

Thank God he'd had it put back.

He pulled her close, pressing his lips to hers with a desperate hunger, as if he wanted to merge her into himself completely.

Athena ended up sleeping through most of the day. She'd planned to get up early and make some soup, but after the way Tyler had kept her up half the night, she simply didn't have the strength to drag herself out of bed.

the last rays of sunset were painting

and heard him on the

business. So what if it's embarrassing? It's my life, not yours. And don't push me—I'm not

everyone had asked him about it. He'd just shrugged and said it was his

long before he went and had the mole put back, and of

a word about it, except to snap at Bert,

Tyler wouldn't have broken up with Athena so soon after they started seeing each

Bert had the sense to try to talk some sense

she suddenly comes back? Doesn't that seem fishy? I'm not against you two getting back together, but if she's just going to hurt you again, maybe it's time to move on. You've never really

a jerk, sure, but he had

past, neither of them had exactly been

Athena's attitude was odd. But did it

her real reason for

oversized T-shirt he could see the faint marks left on

calm, her

drunk, he let slip that five million suddenly appeared in his

his fork, saying nothing.

was she still obsessing over someone who

out, but he knew if he did, she might just walk

glass of milk, misery

help you investigate everything that happened with Kerwin. But you have to

"What terms?"

dropped his gaze, tracing the rim of his glass with his finger.

as he seemed to weigh his

ticked by

"Marry me."

thinking she must have misheard. Everyone knew Tyler didn't

"What?"

instinctively, her disbelief plain.Chapter

he finished speaking, he stood up, grabbed his suit jacket from the back of the chair,

table, unmoving. For once, she didn't want

left the house, he headed straight

door, he was greeted

Tyler kicked the mess aside and dropped

room, lost in a passionate embrace. When they noticed Tyler, Bert recoiled

"Tyler?"

arms shrieked-clearly, she hadn't expected anyone to walk in at such a

lit a cigarette,

forehead with a sigh and gently coaxed the

to collect her clothes, head down, and

bath towel, Bert strode over and slumped down next

there, cigarette dangling from his fingers, looking utterly defeated. Bert frowned, puzzled. Weren't he and Athena back on good

say it— honestly, you


stubbed out his cigarette, his voice rough. "She only changed her attitude because she wants

juice, took a swig, and shrugged. "What's the point of digging into some guy's death after all these years? Even if she gets answers, nothing

before you know it."

to s

it—the men who lost their wives seemed to bounce back

them never really moved

between men and women,

Years ago, his older sister had died in childbirth: When the

save her or

chose the baby, saying she wanted the child to stay with the

then, his sister

had been close. Bert thought for sure his brother-in-law would raise that child with devotion after her passing. But within a year, the man had found someone new. The new woman hated the sight of the toddler so

are fickle, Bert thought. He was no exception. He


women insisted on torturing

just held on to Tyler, she could

rest of her days. Instead, she insisted on digging into her first love's death, keeping a wedge between herself and

cigarette, but Bert snatched it away and tossed it

Chapter 2199

and Bert couldn't be bothered to ask any more

up killing time playing video games, Tyler glancing at his phone every now and

finally rang.

but at those words, he

out on the couch, raised his voice

almost here, man. I can't eat all that

heading home. Athena made soup," Tyler

picking up a

half an hour, was back

the door, the familiar, comforting aroma

the kitchen, apron tied around her waist, bustling

like that, Tyler felt his eyes sting. He realized then how little he

to be selfish for a few more years-keep her by his side for just a

with nothing, making sure she'd never be

didn't even love him. If something happened to him, it probably wouldn't affect her

the kitchen. "What kind of soup is it?

he'd actually come home, ladled some soup into a small bowl

drinking with Bert

Bert much, and quickly shook his

with someone else," he said. Then, after a

two of them sitting together at the dinner table-it had been

quietly

to marry me? You know I'm only

he replied

"Alright then. If we're getting married ters get a prenup Let's add up what

cent from Tyler if they divorced. She just didn't want him to worry about it she figured a prenup would put his mind

bowl, silent

a long time, Athena assumed his quiet meant he agreed.

asked, "If I died tomorrow, would you be

a miracle. And with the way Tyler

s

CUMS

never liked his reckless lifestyle-it felt like he was

he didn't seem to value the time he'd been

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