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

his sister

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

He was no

insisted on

If she just held on to Tyler, she could

for the rest of her days. Instead, she insisted on digging into her first love's death, keeping a

Bert snatched it away and

Chapter 2199

Bert couldn't be bothered to ask any more

time playing video games, Tyler glancing at

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

day, but at those words,

out on the couch, raised his

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

heading home. Athena made soup,"

paused, suddenly picking up a

half an hour,

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

in the kitchen, apron tied around

her like that, Tyler felt his eyes sting. He realized

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

with nothing, making sure she'd

something happened to him, it probably wouldn't affect

the kitchen. "What kind of soup is

come home, ladled some soup into a small bowl

you out drinking with Bert

Bert much,

said. Then, after a beat, added,

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 had a

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

know I'm only doing this to get to the bottom

he

put 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

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 she figured a

down at his bowl,

long time, Athena assumed his quiet meant he

and asked, "If I died tomorrow, would you be even a little

like that was a miracle. And with the way Tyler drank and

s

CUMS

reckless lifestyle-it felt like he was

yet he didn't seem to value the time he'd been

for Athena's answer, but when he saw her frown and purse her lips, he realized just how hard

and he fell silent,

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

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

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

in bed, Tyler kept

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

rolled over,

mind caught on the idea of marriage—especially since the groom

he said quietly, “since you agreed to marry me, why

couldn't wait

hadn't expected him to be so eager. For a

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

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

"Getting married today."

shock value was obvious-Bert

right? You're actually doing it? Athena said

if watching Tyler march headlong into disaster-worse, he

with lan and the others. Silence at first, then

most dramatic. He sent five reaction

took a few minutes, then finally offered up some congratulations. Tyler,

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

couldn't believe it. How on earth did someone like Tyler manage to get married? He tagged several people just to make sure it was real.

"The bride's really unlucky."

in too good a mood to fight back. He decided to treat everyone in Greenfield to

restaurant, a good crowd showed up-old friends from their circle. Ian came with Maja, having left their kid at home. Abner Olson was there, along with Fitch and

barely looked up from her food, except to bear shyly at Dylan

Chapter 2201

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

Maja realized Carol had actually watched Athena's series. The tension

an unspoken understanding between

down, Carol reached for Athena's hand before

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

can always tell when someone's being genuine their

loved her work.

only ever had one friend-Doris-but after seeing Doris kiss Tyler Bennitt, she'd cut off all contact. It

reaching out,

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

fan favorite. If you'd finished the role, I bet

her eyes crinkling with genuine

chatting and laughing,

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

Raymond and Felix Brown were waiting for him outside.

eager to get to their wives, shot

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

smiled like that when she

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

Felix and suggested, "Why don't we all head back to your place tonight? It's been ages since we've all hung out together. Let's

visibly relaxed. "Yeah, let's do

hurried ahead

and lan alone

narrowed his eyes. "Honestly, I never thought

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

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

I'm too nice to you, I'll be sleeping

a dry

figure out what Carol likes and buying her gifts, just to sta on her good side. Honestly, I envy you. At least

other, I don't even know how to make things better

industry's next big thing. But who would've guessed

silent. Ian had

and everyone piled

sat together in the backseat. Carol's outgoing nature shone through as she immediately started

I heard on that show you worked on, the director and

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

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

understood it until he learned what happened

it, but he could 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

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

the more he found himself caring

found herself seated with Carol on her left

actually recognized Maja. Back when Maja and lan's scandal blew up, it was all anyone talked

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

in the garden, not coming in to interrupt, and every so

grabbed

more often. Don't spend all your time with

nothing more than a business

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

out the marriage

warmth, thinking how nice it was to have friends. But as

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

Carol said. "At least you won't get

a dramatic

in emphatic agreement

Athena's chest-so this is what having friends feels

left, it was already one in

Standing

out of nowhere a wave

the door, Athena

felt

her car, then suddenly turned

hang out with me and

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

the house was quiet again, she turned

are really

been anxious, knowing she was just a minor actress, and alt of them were so accomplished men and women alike. In their world, she was a

genuine kindness, not the forced politeness

didn't seem to care

of Tyler. She opened her mouth to say something, then thought better of it and fell silent.Chapter

She never imagined

known Kerwin for years and never once had she seen

pay five million dollars for someone to

just wanted to put this whole ordeal behind her and lift

did you find Adam's mother

his little brother's treatment, but he'd refused, so that woman was bound to show up again sooner

can come

years, but

that's what the tabloids claimed. They said someone from the

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

never really wanted to know what kind of person Tyler was, but now that she was working with him, she knew she'd see more sides of him than

Tyler did as promised he took her

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

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

pounding the

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

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

imports anymore.

fo .net

kind of grand ambition only the

about to start working under a leading expert, he

someone like

at the end of a

she finally saw the

and bitter, but there was a deep worry etched there too-no

her age; maybe that five million dollars had given her a whole new lease on life She'd thrown herself into one scheme after another spent money recklessly and now that the cash

to the son she'd

Chapter 2204

hell are

trembled with fear, beads of sweat dotting

her. She pulled a photo from her pocket-it was

you remember

of color the instant she saw the picture.

him! I swear I don't! Let me go,

the book when it came to getting answers. She was just about to grind the heel of her boot into the woman's hand when Tyler stepped in,

what are

had no answer. Tyler had never seen this side of her before. He knew her as gentle, tough,

hadn't stopped her, the woman's fingers would probably

now.

was nothing

contained his anger. "Let them handle the interrogation. All you need to

off his hand and slammed

heartbreak, the bitterness nearly choking him. He wanted to storm out, but he didn't. Instead, he dropped heavily into a nearby chair, watching Athena-no, this

you! All of you! I'm

cold and steady. "Who paid you to hire a hitman

as if she might lunge at Athena if given the chance.

gaze shifted to the boy lying on the bed. She strode over and, without hesitation, shoved

rescued 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,

a thud and snapped awake, his face pale

held out the photo again, thrusting it in front of