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?

"What happened? Weren't you bragging on the phone this morning? I'll say it— honestly, you look better with that mole. The women always liked it too."

Tyler stubbed out his cigarette, his voice rough. "She only changed her attitude because she wants to find out the truth about Kerwin's death."

Bert grabbed a bottle of 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 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 have a new girlfriend

before you know it."

to s

Everyone in their circle knew it—the men who lost their wives seemed to bounce back fast, playing the field without a care. But the few women who lost their

husbands? Most of them never really moved on.

There was a real difference between men and women, Bert thought.

He thought about his own family. Years ago, his older sister had died in childbirth: When the doctors

asked whether to save her or thet

baby, she chose the baby, saying she wanted the child to stay with the man she loved-a living symbol of their love. s

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.

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

insisted on

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

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

it away and tossed

Chapter 2199

stayed silent, and Bert couldn't be bothered

up killing time playing video

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

words, he dropped his controller

couch, raised

delivery's almost here, man.

heading home. Athena

suddenly picking up a

hurry and, within half

soon as he opened the door,

the kitchen, apron tied

felt his eyes sting. He realized then how little

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

nothing, making sure she'd never be burdened

to him, it probably wouldn't

the kitchen. "What kind of soup is it? Smells amazing,"

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

you out drinking

Bert much, and

else," he said.

and serving some rice. The two of them sitting together at the dinner table-it had been so long since they'd had a

shatter the calm. He quietly sipped his soup, and just as he was finishing, Athena

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

he

the eye. "Alright then. If we're getting married ters get a prenup Let's add up what I've saved and what you've saved over the years-keep itfair. No one takes advantage of

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

stared down at his bowl,

assumed his quiet meant he agreed. But then,

looked up and asked, "If I died tomorrow,

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

s

CUMS

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

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

frown and purse her lips, he realized just how hard

dull ache settled in his chest, and he fell silent,

his shower, he walked into his bedroom and saw her there, getting ready to dry her

struck him-he'd never

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

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

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

over, facing

the idea of marriage—especially since the groom was Tyler, something she'd never imagined for

he said quietly, “since you agreed to marry me, why don't we

wait another

would be at least three months down the line. She hadn't expected him to be so eager. For a moment,

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 have left to keep her

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

"Getting married today."

was obvious-Bert called him

You're actually doing

if watching Tyler march

and the others. Silence at first, then a flurry of question

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

others took a few minutes, then finally offered up some congratulations. Tyler, feeling more than satisfied, picked Athena up and

whole process took less than ten minutes. He snapped a picture of their marriage certificate,

several people just to make sure it was real. But once Tyler

"The bride's really unlucky."

He decided to treat everyone in Greenfield to dinner

restaurant, a good crowd showed up-old friends from their circle. Ian came with Maja, having left

had brought along a sweet-looking girl who barely looked up from her food, except to bear shyly at

Chapter 2201

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

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

an unspoken understanding between

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

appear for a few episodes? I remember thinking she shouldn't have

someone's being genuine their eyes give

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

Doris kiss Tyler Bennitt, she'd cut off

Athena was alone. But now, with Carol reaching out,

froze my contract, so I couldn't keep filming. That's why my character had to leave

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

her eyes crinkling

the women stood together, chatting and laughing, Tyler slipped

he caught a glimpse of Athena's

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

eager to get to their wives, shot him

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

that when she was

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

we all head back to your place tonight? It's been ages since we've all

visibly relaxed. "Yeah, let's do

ahead to

lan alone for a

eyes. "Honestly, I

you'd drop to your knees

a deep breath. "Do you have to take a jab at me every single

I'm

dry

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 me

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

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

Ian had hit

and everyone piled into

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

on, the director

were open-minded, but flaunting something like that publicly was still

loneliness, especially when she was alone. It was as if she might vanish at any

it until he

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 like a ghost than a

Tyler hadn't liked her at first was because she seemed so

paid attention, the more he

found herself seated with Carol on her left and Maja

scandal blew up, it was all anyone talked about-impossible not

proud, even a little cold, but after meeting her today, she realized there was a

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

suddenly grabbed

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

nothing more than a business arrangement. In her mind, she was earnestly teaching Athena

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

Tyler's friends. If they found out the marriage was just

to have friends. But as soon as she calmed down, she reminded herself they came from different

find some excuse to

before responding. "Isn't that even better?" Carol said. "At least you won't get hurt. When I heard you were marrying him, I was honestly worried. Everyone knows

a dramatic

catching Maja nodding in

Athena's chest-so this

left, it was already

Standing

to leave and out of

the door, Athena

been years since she'd felt this way about anyone or

then suddenly turned around and pulled Athena

don't forget to come hang out with

stiff and awkward, and it took her a second to respond.

the house was quiet

are really nice,"

alt of them were so accomplished men and women alike. In their world,

with genuine kindness, not the forced

seem to care at

mouth to say

inseparable. She never imagined there was

known Kerwin for years and never once

dollars

this whole ordeal behind her and lift the weight off her

did you find Adam's mother and

still wanted him to pay for his little brother's treatment,

Tomorrow, you can come

for years, but she'd never seen him

thought. At least, that's what the tabloids claimed. They said someone

was distant with his family, seemed indifferent toward romance, but

to know what kind of person Tyler was, but now that she was working with

day, Tyler did as promised he took

Kerwin died, Athena hadn't had time to memorize the woman's face. She only 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 later did anyone realize that

this before; she knew how dark and complicated people could be. She'd always

heart was pounding the whole drive

of promise. He had no obvious flaws, got along with

his life studying, doing research, developing new soybean technology so the country wouldn't

imports anymore.

fo .net

was the kind of grand ambition only the young could

to start working under a leading

head throb. Anyone would have trouble forgetting someone like

at the end of a narrow alley. She followed Tyler

end, she finally saw

bitter, but there was a deep worry etched there too-no doubt for her

whole new lease on life She'd thrown herself into

to the

Chapter 2204

the hell are you

woman's voice trembled with fear, beads of

stopping just beside her. She pulled a photo

you remember this

the instant she saw the picture. Clearly, she

don't know him! I swear

business had taught Athena every trick in the book when it came to getting answers. She was

what are you

moment, she had no answer. Tyler had never seen this side of her before. He knew her

woman's fingers would probably

now.

There was

agitation washed over Tyler, and he barely contained his anger. "Let them handle the interrogation. All you

off his hand and slammed her

wanted to storm out, but he didn't. Instead, he dropped heavily into a nearby chair,

All of you! I'm calling

steady. "Who paid you to

hatred, as if she might lunge at Athena if given the chance. But

shifted to the boy lying on the bed. She strode

him-old enough to understand what was going on. And yet, he'd helped

hadn't played along, Kerwin would never have

or seven years old,

boy hit the floor with a thud and snapped

the photo again, thrusting it in front