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.

As soon as Tyler left the house, he headed straight to Bert's place.

When he opened Bert's front door, he was greeted by clothes strewn all over the living room floor.

Unfazed, Tyler kicked the mess aside and dropped onto the couch.

Bert was tangled up with a woman on the other side of the room, lost in a passionate embrace. When they noticed Tyler, Bert recoiled in shock, instantly losing interest.

"Tyler?"

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

Tyler lit a cigarette, ignoring them both.

Bert rubbed his forehead with a sigh and gently coaxed the woman, telling her it was time to leave.

She scrambled to collect her clothes, head down, and hurried out.

Wearing nothing but a bath towel, Bert strode over and slumped down next to Tyler.

"Man, can 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 and Athena back on good terms last night? Why did Tyler look like he'd just lost everything?

phone this morning? I'll say it— honestly, you look better with that mole. The women

"She only changed her attitude because she

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 true love, he'll

before you know it."

to s

bounce back fast, playing the field without a care.

of them

difference between men and

thought about his own family. Years ago, his

whether to save her or

child to stay with

then, his sister

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

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

women insisted

was being foolish too. If she just held on to Tyler, she

insisted on digging into her first

but Bert snatched it

Chapter 2199

Bert couldn't be bothered

ended up killing time playing video games, Tyler glancing at

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

had been feeling low all day, but at those words, he dropped his controller without hesitation

on the couch, raised his voice in

The food delivery's almost here, man. I can't eat

home. Athena made soup," Tyler

picking up a hint

a hurry and, within half an

door, the familiar, comforting aroma hit

apron tied around her

He realized then how little

her by his side for just a while longer. After that, everything

nothing, making sure she'd never be burdened

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

swirled in Tyler's mind as he stepped into the kitchen. "What kind of soup is it? Smells amazing,"

some soup into

you out drinking with

assumed she didn't like Bert much, and quickly

said. Then,

out the rest of the 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

the calm. He quietly sipped his soup, and

marry me? You know I'm only doing this to get to

he replied

we're getting married ters get a prenup Let's

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

bowl, silent and lost in

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

I died tomorrow, would you

surgery. Realistically, 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 have

s

CUMS

liked his reckless lifestyle-it felt like he was squandering a life others would

back, yet he didn't seem to

but when he saw her frown and purse her lips, he realized just how hard this question was for

chest, and he fell silent, sipping the last of

a separate room. But after his shower, he walked into

flash of inspiration struck him-he'd

for a while, then seemed to realize she'd never laughed so

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

them. All he could think about was that Athena had

over,

marriage—especially since the groom was Tyler, something she'd never

said quietly, “since you agreed to marry me,

couldn't wait

hadn't expected him to be so

all, or lose interest

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

"Getting married today."

was obvious-Bert called him

joking, right? You're actually

speechless, as if watching Tyler march headlong

the news in his group chat with lan and the others. Silence at first, then a flurry of

of course, was the most dramatic. He sent five reaction

offered up some congratulations. Tyler, feeling more than satisfied, picked Athena up

than ten minutes. He snapped a picture of their marriage certificate, posted it on Facebook, and

people just to make sure it was real. But once Tyler showed off the official certificate, Beck fell silent, leaving only

"The bride's really unlucky."

to fight back. He decided to

Ian came with Maja, having left their

looked up from her food, except to bear shyly at Dylan now and then Dylan, as stoio as ever just handed

Chapter 2201

suddenly overwhelmed with emotion, but for a moment, she didn't know what

a 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 Carol. Carol

just an unspoken understanding between

reached for Athena's hand before they left the

a few episodes? I remember thinking she shouldn't have been killed

when someone's being genuine their eyes give it

her work. She

seeing Doris kiss Tyler Bennitt, she'd cut off all contact. It still stung; she knew things

with Carol reaching out, she felt a

my contract, so I couldn't keep filming. That's why my

favorite. If you'd finished the

eyes crinkling

the women stood together, chatting and laughing, Tyler slipped away

caught a glimpse of Athena's

waiting for him outside. Tyler paused, not moving toward them

eager to get to their wives, shot him

a cigarette, hesitated, and said quietly, almost to himself,

smiled like that when she was

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

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

visibly relaxed. "Yeah, let's

hurried ahead

and lan alone for a

narrowed his eyes. "Honestly, I never thought

over. "Yeah, and who would've guessed you'd drop to your knees the moment you

"Do you have to

biggest fan. If I'm too

out a dry laugh. "Whipped, are

lan grinned. "Not like you're any better. I hear you spend 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 at

things

riding high at work lately, 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 man,

silent. Ian had

finished making arrangements, and everyone piled

through as she immediately started quizzing Athena about every bit

you worked on, the director and the producer got together. Weren't they

some people were open-minded, but flaunting

impenetrable loneliness, especially when she was

understood it until he learned

no idea what kept her going, what reason she clung to, or how much longer she'd be able to hold on.

her at first was because she seemed so distant, so empty of the warmth and vitality that drew him

the more he paid attention, the more he found himself caring about what she

with Carol

lan's scandal blew

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 ran

and every so often, they'd send over little

suddenly grabbed

often. Don't spend all your time with men. With

more than a business arrangement. In her mind, she was earnestly teaching Athena

finally asked, "But what if

they found out the marriage was just a calculated

to have friends.

was resolved, she'd find some excuse to divorce Tyler,

Carol said. "At least you won't get hurt. When I heard you were marrying

a dramatic roll

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

weight lifted from Athena's chest-so this is

the time everyone finally left, it was

Standing

and Maja get ready to leave and out of nowhere a wave of reluctant

the door, Athena

years since she'd felt this

car, then suddenly turned around and pulled

forget to come hang

it took

was quiet again, she turned

friends are really nice," she

a minor actress, and alt of them were so accomplished men and women alike. In their world, she

everyone had treated her with genuine kindness, not the forced politeness she was used

seem to care at all

opened her mouth to say something, then thought better of it

inseparable. She never imagined there was this whole other story

years and never once had she seen his parents

Who would pay five million dollars for someone to take his

behind her and lift the weight

did you find

him to pay for his little brother's treatment, but he'd refused, so that

you can come with

had known Tyler for years, but she'd never seen

them without a second thought. At least, that's what the tabloids claimed. They said someone from the Bennitt family had crossed Maja, and Tyler had walked away on

family, seemed indifferent toward romance, but he was genuinely loyal to

know what kind of person Tyler was, but now that she was working with him, she knew she'd see

did as promised he took her to

knew that after the child was rescued, both he and his mother disappeared, and Kerwin was rushed into emergency care. The scene had been pure chaos, and only

this before; she knew how dark and complicated people could be.

heart was pounding the

promise. He had no obvious flaws,

life studying, doing research, developing

imports anymore.

fo .net

of grand ambition only the young could say out