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?

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

changed her attitude

after all these years? Even if she gets answers, nothing

before you know it."

to s

who lost their wives seemed to bounce back fast, playing the field without a care. But the few women

of them never really

a real difference between men

about his own family. Years ago, his

to save her

she chose the baby, saying she wanted the child to stay with the man she loved-a living symbol

then, his sister

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 that precious ruit of love" became an eyesore. To please

Bert thought. He was no exception. He just

insisted on

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

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

but Bert snatched it away and

Chapter 2199

silent, and Bert couldn't be bothered to ask any

killing time playing video

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

low all day, but at those words,

couch, raised his voice

you going? The food delivery's almost here, man. I

heading home. Athena made soup," Tyler

a hint of pride in

half an hour, was back

as he opened the door, the familiar, comforting aroma hit

in the kitchen, apron tied around

eyes sting. He realized

wanted was to be selfish for a few more years-keep her by his side for just a while longer. After that, everything he owned would

everything. He'd walk away with nothing, making

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

kitchen. "What kind of

come home, ladled some soup into a small bowl

you out drinking with

she didn't like Bert much, and quickly

else," he said.

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

to shatter the calm. He quietly sipped his soup, and just as

to marry me? You know I'm only doing

he

down her spoon and looked him straight in the eye. "Alright then. If we're getting married ters get a prenup Let's add up what I've saved and

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

bowl, silent

Athena assumed his quiet meant he

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

ten years after a procedure like that was a miracle. And with the way

s

CUMS

felt like he was squandering a life others would give anything

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

he saw her frown and purse her

chest, and he fell

he expected Athena would want to sleep in a separate room. But after his shower,

of inspiration struck him-he'd never dried a

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

in bed, Tyler kept thinking about her smile.

messages from his usual crew, asking 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

over,

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

me, why don't we go

wait

thing would 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

all, or lose interest in finding out what really happened to Kerwin. If that happened, what excuse would he have left to keep

as dawn broke, he was up, pulling on a new suit. He finally

"Getting married today."

value was obvious-Bert called

You're actually doing it? Athena said yes?"

if watching Tyler march headlong into disaster-worse,

and the others.

most dramatic. He sent five reaction gifs in a row, all expressing

then finally offered up some congratulations. Tyler,

minutes. He snapped a picture of their marriage certificate,

people just to make

"The bride's really unlucky."

too good a mood to fight back. He decided

their circle. Ian came with Maja, having left their kid

sweet-looking girl who barely looked up from her food, except to bear shyly at Dylan now and then Dylan, as stoio

Chapter 2201

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

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 understanding between

down, Carol reached for

your character only appear for a few episodes?

when someone's being genuine their

Carol truly loved her work. She remembered every plot twist,

seeing Doris kiss Tyler Bennitt, she'd cut off

now, with Carol reaching out, she felt a rare

explained quietly. "My agency froze my contract, so I couldn't keep filming. That's why my character had

fan favorite. If

laughed, her eyes crinkling with genuine

stood together, chatting and laughing, Tyler slipped away to

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

were waiting for him outside. Tyler paused, not

men, eager to get to their wives, shot him a puzzled look as he

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

that when she was

past with Maja flickering through his mind. Love was always the thing that hurt

head back to your place

"Yeah,

ahead to

left Felix and lan alone for a

I

and who would've guessed you'd drop to your knees the moment

have to take a jab at me every single time we

can I say? Maja's not exactly your biggest fan. If I'm too

dry laugh. "Whipped,

your life trying to figure out what Carol likes and buying her gifts, just to sta on her good

each other, I don't even know how to make things better anymore. We're like an old married couple, all

latest projecthe industry's next big thing. But who would've guessed that the same man, a powerhouse in the boardroom, would be

Ian had

Tyler finished making arrangements, and everyone piled into

the backseat. Carol's outgoing nature shone through as she immediately started quizzing Athena about every bit

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

people were open-minded, but flaunting something like that publicly was still taboo.Chapter

wrapped in a deep, impenetrable loneliness, especially when she was alone. It was as if she might vanish at any moment, dissolving

it until he learned what happened with

guess that there had been countless moments when 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

liked her at first was because she seemed so distant, so empty of the warmth

the more he found himself caring about

everyone was inside, Athena found herself seated with Carol on her left and

when Maja and lan's scandal blew

her today, she realized there was a quiet gentleness about her, a core of resilience

them chatted quietly together. The men stayed out in the garden, not coming in to interrupt, and every so often, they'd send over little snacks and fruit, as if they just knew to give the women their

grabbed Athena's

spend all your time with men. With men, the more you settle, the more they

business arrangement. In her mind, she was earnestly teaching Athena how to 'train'

finally asked, "But

were Tyler's friends. If they found out the

friends. But as soon as she calmed down, she reminded herself they came

she'd find some excuse to divorce

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

finished with a dramatic roll of her

in

Athena's chest-so this is what having friends

left, it was already one in the

Standing

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

the door, Athena

felt this way

suddenly turned around and pulled

come hang out with me and

froze, stiff and awkward, and it took

house was quiet

are really nice,"

and alt of them were so accomplished men and women alike. In their world, she was a nobody,

everyone had treated her with genuine kindness,

care at all about

envious of Tyler. She opened her mouth to say something, then thought

inseparable. She never imagined there was this

and never once had she

five million dollars for

whole ordeal behind her and lift the weight

find Adam's mother and

still wanted him to pay for his little brother's treatment, but he'd refused, so that woman was bound to show up

you can come with

years, but she'd never seen him so

At least, that's what the tabloids claimed. They said someone from the Bennitt family had

his family, seemed indifferent toward romance, but

really wanted to know what kind of person Tyler was, but now that she was

next day, Tyler did as promised he took her to

both he and his mother disappeared, and Kerwin was rushed into emergency care.

knew how dark and complicated people could be. She'd always thought Kerwin had just

was pounding the whole drive

full of promise.

research, developing new soybean technology so the country wouldn't

imports anymore.

fo .net

was the kind of grand ambition only the young could