Dear Ex-wife Marry Me by Twin Bridge

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.

By the time she finally woke, the last rays of sunset were painting the windows gold.

She rolled over and heard him on the phone.

"Yeah, that's right. I had the mole restored. Mind your own business. So what if it's embarrassing? It's my life, not yours. And don't push me—I'm not in the mood."

Back when Tyler had the mole removed, everyone had asked him about it. He'd just shrugged and said it was his body, his choice.

But it wasn't long before he went and had the mole put back, and of course, people got curious-why the change of heart?

Tyler refused to say a word about it, except to snap at Bert, who knew the truth.

If Bert hadn't egged him on, Tyler wouldn't have broken up with Athena so soon after they started seeing each other.

At least Bert had the sense to try to talk some sense into him.

"Look, man, when you landed in the hospital after your breakup, she didn't even visit you. And now 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 dated before, maybe that's why you're so stuck. Why don't we just go out and clear your head for a bit?"

Bert was a bit of a jerk, sure, but he had Tyler's back.

In the past, neither of them had exactly been upstanding citizens.

Tyler wasn't stupid-he knew Athena's attitude was odd. But did it matter? Whatever she wanted, he was willing to give it.

But when dinner came and Athena finally revealed her real reason for coming back, Tyler nearly lost it.

He looked at her face across the table. Even through her oversized T-shirt he could see the faint marks left on her skin from last night, but her words were cold, detached. s

Athena's expression was calm, her tone unwavering.

"I want you to look into Adam's mother and younger brother for me. Kerwin drowned trying to save his brother. When Adam was drunk, he let slip that five million suddenly appeared in his mother's account back then. I want to know if someone paid for Kerwin's life." s

Tyler gripped his fork, saying nothing. Kerwin. Again-Kerwin!

Why was she still obsessing over someone who was gone?

He felt a wave of frustration rising, tempted to lash out, but he knew if he did, she might just walk out and never come back.

He stared down at his glass of milk, misery churning in his chest.

"I'll do it," he said finally, "I'll help you investigate everything that happened with Kerwin. But you have to agree to my terms, too."

"What terms?"

of his

bobbed as he seemed

ticked by

"Marry me."

have misheard. Everyone knew Tyler

"What?"

her

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

For once, she didn't want to think about anything. She was

Tyler left the house, he headed straight to

opened Bert's front door, he was greeted by clothes

aside and dropped onto

room, lost in a passionate

"Tyler?"

shrieked-clearly, she hadn't expected anyone to

cigarette,

gently coaxed the woman, telling her

clothes, head down,

nothing but a bath towel, Bert strode over and slumped

you at least give me a heads-up before you drop by next time?" Tyler sat there, cigarette dangling from his fingers, looking utterly defeated. Bert frowned, puzzled. Weren't he

phone this morning? I'll say it— honestly, you

stubbed out his cigarette, his voice rough. "She only changed her

guy's death after all these years? Even if she gets answers, nothing will change. The dead don't come back,

before you know it."

to s

seemed to bounce back fast, playing the field

of them

real difference between men

family. Years ago, his older sister had died

whether to save her

the child to stay with the

then, his

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 just couldn't

women insisted on

she just held

rest of her days. Instead, she insisted on digging into her

Bert snatched it away and tossed it in

Chapter 2199

be bothered to

time playing video games, Tyler

the evening that his phone finally rang. Athena was calling. "The soup's ready. Are you coming

been feeling low all day, but at those words, he

couch, raised

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

heading home. Athena made soup," Tyler

up a hint of pride in Tyler's

hurry and, within half an

he opened the door,

apron tied around her

Tyler felt his eyes sting. He realized then how little he truly

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

nothing, making sure she'd never be

If something happened to him, it

as he stepped into the kitchen. "What kind

actually come home, ladled some soup into a small

you out drinking with Bert

she didn't like Bert much, and quickly

with someone else," he said. Then,

food, setting out a plate for him and serving some rice. The two of them sitting together at the dinner table-it had been so long since they'd

to say anything to shatter the calm. He quietly sipped his soup, and just as he was

I'm only doing this to get to

know," he replied

get a prenup Let's add up what I've saved and what you've saved over the years-keep itfair.

they divorced. She just didn't want him to worry about it she figured a prenup

down at his bowl, silent and lost in

his quiet meant he agreed. But then,

up and asked, "If I died tomorrow, would you be

a miracle. And with

s

CUMS

like he was squandering

and come back, yet he didn't seem to value

her frown and purse her lips, he realized just how

dull ache settled in his chest, and he fell silent, sipping the last

But after his shower, he walked into his bedroom and saw

of inspiration struck him-he'd

realize she'd never laughed so freely in

bed, Tyler kept thinking about her

from his usual crew, asking if he wanted to go out for drinks. Tyler ignored them. All he

rolled over, facing

still awake, her mind caught on the idea of marriage—especially since the groom was Tyler, something she'd never

to marry me, why don't we go get our marriage license

wait

down the line. She hadn't expected him to be so eager. For a moment, she didn't know how to respond, but after a

she might change her mind, decide she didn't want to get married after all, or lose interest in finding out what really happened to Kerwin. If that happened, what excuse would he

broke, he was up, pulling on a new suit. He finally found time to

"Getting married today."

value was obvious-Bert

you're not joking, right? You're actually doing it? Athena

was speechless, as if watching Tyler march headlong into disaster-worse, he

group chat with lan and the others. Silence at first, then

was the most dramatic. He sent five reaction gifs in

offered up some congratulations. Tyler, feeling more than

snapped a picture of their marriage certificate, posted it on Facebook, and sent it to

manage to get married? He tagged several people just to make sure it was real. But once Tyler showed off the official certificate, Beck fell silent,

"The bride's really unlucky."

back. He decided to treat everyone in Greenfield to dinner that

showed up-old friends from their circle. Ian came with Maja, having left their kid

who barely looked up from her food, except

Chapter 2201

found herself suddenly overwhelmed with emotion, but for a moment, she

hint of awkwardness, until Carol Miller started chatting with Athena Zade about the TV shows she'd filmed. That's when Maja realized Carol had actually watched Athena's series. The tension in Athena's posture visibly eased, her features softening as she opened up to

there's just an unspoken

Carol reached for

few episodes? I remember

being genuine their eyes give

truly loved her work. She remembered every plot

cut off all contact. It still stung; she knew

But now, with Carol reaching out, she felt a rare

things going on at the time," Athena explained quietly. "My agency froze my contract, so I couldn't keep filming. That's why my character had

a shame! That character was such a fan favorite. If you'd finished the role, I bet your

laughed, her eyes crinkling

women stood together, chatting and laughing, Tyler slipped away

out, he caught a glimpse of Athena's relaxed, carefree

him outside. Tyler paused, not

to their wives, shot

said quietly, almost to himself, "Let

like that when she was

his tracks, memories of his own past with Maja flickering through his mind. Love was

don't we all head back to your place

visibly relaxed. "Yeah,

hurried ahead to

lan alone for

"Honestly, I

you'd drop to your knees the moment you

drew in a deep breath. "Do you have

exactly your biggest fan. If I'm too nice to you, I'll be

let out a dry laugh. "Whipped, are

you spend half your life trying to figure out what Carol likes and buying her gifts, just to sta

things better anymore.

acquiring several rival companies. The business press was singing his praises, calling his latest projecthe industry's next big thing. But who would've guessed that the same

Ian

arrangements, and everyone piled into their cars, heading to

backseat. Carol's outgoing nature shone through as she immediately started