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?"

Tyler dropped his gaze, tracing the rim of his glass with his finger. His Adam's

apple bobbed as he seemed to weigh his words.

A minute ticked by before he spoke.

"Marry me."

Athena blinked, thinking she must have misheard. Everyone knew Tyler didn't believe in marriage.

"What?"

She responded instinctively, her disbelief plain.Chapter 2198

After he finished speaking, he stood up, grabbed his suit jacket from the back of the chair, and walked straight out the door.

Athena remained seated at the dining table, unmoving. For once, she didn't want to think about anything. She was exhausted.

house, he

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

aside and dropped onto the

of the room, lost in a passionate embrace. When

"Tyler?"

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

lit a cigarette, ignoring

a sigh and gently coaxed the woman, telling her it was time

to collect her clothes, head down, and hurried

but a bath towel, Bert strode over and slumped down

from his fingers, looking utterly defeated. Bert frowned, puzzled. Weren't he and

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

rough. "She only changed her attitude because she wants to find out the

and shrugged. "What's the point of digging into some guy's death after all these years? Even if she gets answers, nothing will change. The dead don't come back, That's why I don't get women sometimes. If a guy loses his

before you know it."

to s

their circle knew it—the men who lost their wives seemed to bounce back fast, playing the field

of them never really

difference between men

Years ago, his older sister had died

save

she wanted the child to stay with the

his sister

a year, the man had found someone new. The new woman hated the sight of the toddler so that precious ruit of love" became an eyesore. To please his new girlfriend, Bert's brother-in-law sent the child to live with the Frost family and took off

was no exception. He just couldn't

women insisted on

just held on to Tyler,

on digging into her first love's death, keeping a wedge between herself and Tyler

Bert snatched it away and tossed it in

Chapter 2199

couldn't be bothered to ask any

killing time playing video games, Tyler glancing

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

day, but at those words, he dropped his controller without hesitation and headed for the

on the couch, raised

are you going? The food delivery's almost here, man. I can't eat all that

Athena made soup," Tyler

picking up a hint of

left in a hurry and, within half an hour, was back

as he opened the door, the familiar, comforting

apron

He realized

he wanted was to be selfish for a few more years-keep her by his side for just a while

away with nothing, making sure she'd never

happened to him, it probably wouldn't

he stepped into the kitchen. "What

some soup into a small bowl and set it beside

out drinking with

Bert much, and quickly shook his

with someone else," he said. Then, after

some rice. The two of them sitting together at the dinner table-it had been

calm. He quietly

really sure you want to marry me? You know I'm only doing this to

he replied

we're getting married ters get a prenup

sign anything, she'd never take a cent from Tyler if they divorced. She just didn't want him

his bowl,

his quiet meant he

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

surviving ten years after a procedure like that was a miracle. And with the way Tyler drank and stayed up late he probably didn't

s

CUMS

was squandering a

back, yet he didn't seem to value the time he'd

when he saw her frown and purse her lips, he realized just how hard

ache settled in his chest, and he fell

in a separate room. But after his shower, he walked into his bedroom and saw her there, getting ready to dry

of inspiration struck him-he'd never dried a womChapter

while, then seemed to realize she'd never

side by side in bed, Tyler kept thinking about her smile. He tossed

if he wanted to go out for drinks. Tyler ignored them. All he could think about was that Athena had agreed to marry him-did that mean they could get the

over, facing

was still awake, her mind caught on the idea of marriage—especially since

said quietly, “since you agreed to marry me,

wait another

be at least three months 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 long pause,

to get married after all, or lose interest in finding out what really happened to Kerwin. If that happened, what excuse

all night. As soon as dawn broke, he was up, pulling on a new suit. He finally found time

"Getting married today."

shock value was

joking, right? You're actually doing

as if watching Tyler march headlong

group chat with lan and the others. Silence at

dramatic. He sent five reaction gifs

some congratulations. Tyler,

picture of their marriage certificate, posted it on Facebook, and sent it to his group chats.

to get married? He tagged several people just to make sure it

"The bride's really unlucky."

too good a mood to fight back. He decided to treat

came with Maja, having left their kid at home. Abner Olson was there, along

Dylan was there too. He'd come to visit Maja and had brought along a sweet-looking girl who barely looked up from her food, except to bear shyly at Dylan now and then Dylan, as

Chapter 2201

emotion, but for a moment, she didn't know what to

when Maja realized Carol had actually watched Athena's series. The tension in Athena's posture visibly eased, her features softening as she opened

there's just an unspoken

finally wound down, Carol reached for Athena's hand before they left

episodes? I remember thinking

when someone's being genuine their eyes give it

work. She remembered every plot

seeing Doris kiss Tyler Bennitt, she'd cut off all contact. It still stung; she knew things could never go back to how

now, with Carol reaching out, she felt a rare sense of

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 to

shame! That character was such a fan favorite. If you'd finished the

eyes

and laughing, Tyler slipped away

he came back out, he caught a glimpse of Athena's relaxed, carefree smile —and his

Raymond and Felix Brown were waiting for him outside. Tyler paused, not moving

men, eager to get to their wives, shot him

said quietly, almost to himself, "Let her enjoy her laughter a

rarely smiled like that when

of his own past with Maja flickering through his

don't we all head back to your place tonight? It's been ages since we've

visibly relaxed. "Yeah, let's

ahead to

lan

narrowed his eyes. "Honestly, I never thought he'd

you'd drop to

you have to take a jab

not exactly your biggest fan. If I'm too nice to you, I'll be sleeping in the guest room

dry laugh. "Whipped, are

half your life trying to figure out what Carol likes and buying her gifts, just to sta on her good side. Honestly, I envy you. At least you have a target to aim for. Look

things better anymore. We're like an old married

several rival companies. The business press was singing his praises, calling his latest projecthe industry's next big

fell silent. Ian had hit a

finished making arrangements, and everyone piled into their

nature shone through as she immediately started quizzing Athena about every

I heard on that show you worked on, the

open-minded, but flaunting something like that publicly was

long time ago-Athena always seemed wrapped in a deep, impenetrable loneliness, especially when she was alone. It was

until he

Athena wanted to just let go, to leave everything behind. He had no idea what kept her going, what reason she clung to, or how much longer she'd be able to hold on. Sometimes, she seemed more

was because she seemed so

more he found himself caring about what she thought and

seated with Carol on her left

when Maja and lan's scandal blew up, it was all anyone

had always assumed Maja was proud, even a little cold, but after meeting her today, she realized there was a quiet gentleness about her, a core of resilience that

in the garden, not coming in to interrupt, and every so often, they'd send

grabbed

you should come out with us more often. Don't spend all your time with men. With men, the more you settle, the more they

no idea Athena and Tyler's marriage was nothing more than a business arrangement. In her mind, she was

moment, then finally asked, "But what if I'm only

were Tyler's friends. If they found out the marriage was just a calculated deal, wouldn't

how nice it was to have friends.

situation was resolved, she'd find some excuse to divorce Tyler, leave Greenfield, and

paused before responding. "Isn't that even better?" Carol said. "At least you won't get

with a dramatic roll

but laugh, catching Maja nodding in emphatic agreement out of the corner

weight lifted from Athena's chest-so this

it was already one

Standing

leave and out of nowhere

the door, Athena