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

thought 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

fickle, Bert thought. He was no exception. He just couldn't

insisted

she just held on to Tyler, she could

into her first love's

cigarette, but Bert snatched it away and tossed it

Chapter 2199

couldn't be bothered to ask any

two of them ended up killing time playing video games, Tyler glancing at his phone

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

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

sprawled out on the couch, raised his

The food delivery's almost here, man. I

home. Athena made soup," Tyler

a hint of pride

within half an

the door, the familiar, comforting aroma

the kitchen, apron tied around

his eyes sting. He realized then how little

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

nothing, making sure she'd never be

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

mind as he stepped into the kitchen. "What kind of soup is it? Smells amazing," he asked, trying

some soup into a small bowl and set

you out drinking with

didn't like Bert much, and

he said. Then,

brought out the rest of the food, setting out a plate for him and serving some rice. The two of them sitting together at

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

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

know," he

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 what you've saved over the years-keep

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 prenup would put his mind at

stared down at his bowl, silent and lost

his quiet meant he agreed.

asked, "If I died tomorrow, would you

like that was a miracle. And

s

CUMS

he was

back, yet he didn't seem to value the

and purse

chest, and he fell silent, sipping the

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

struck him-he'd never dried a

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

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

go out for drinks. Tyler ignored them. All he could think about was that Athena had agreed to

rolled over, facing

on the idea of marriage—especially since the groom was Tyler, something

me, why don't

couldn't wait

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

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

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

"Getting married today."

value was

not joking, right? You're actually doing it? Athena said

if watching Tyler march headlong

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

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

finally offered up some congratulations. Tyler, feeling more

whole process took less than ten minutes. He snapped a picture of their marriage certificate, posted it on Facebook, and sent

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

"The bride's really unlucky."

a mood to fight back. He decided to treat

up-old friends from their circle. Ian came with Maja, having left their kid at

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 stoio as ever just handed her a napkin to

Chapter 2201

emotion, but for

dinner table still carried 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

an unspoken

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

in that last show you did—why did your character only appear for a few episodes? I remember thinking she shouldn't have been killed off so soon.

when someone's being genuine their eyes

Carol truly loved her work.

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

now, with Carol reaching out, she felt

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

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

laughed, her eyes crinkling with

stood together, chatting and laughing, Tyler slipped away to pay

out, he caught a glimpse of

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

get to their wives, shot him

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

like that when

own past with Maja flickering through his mind. Love was

Felix and suggested, "Why don't we all head back to your

relaxed. "Yeah, let's

ahead to

Felix and lan alone for

I

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

have to take a jab at

I'm too nice to you, I'll be sleeping in the guest

a dry laugh. "Whipped,

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

know how to make things

projecthe industry's next big thing. But

Ian

piled into their cars, heading to

as she immediately started quizzing Athena about every bit of

I heard on that show you worked on, the director and the producer got together.

world, some people were open-minded, but flaunting something like that publicly

a long time ago-Athena always seemed wrapped in a deep, impenetrable loneliness, especially when she was alone. It was as if she might vanish at any

until he learned what happened

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 like a ghost than

was because she seemed so

he paid attention, the more he found himself

Athena found herself seated with Carol on her left

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

after meeting her today, she realized there was a quiet gentleness about her, a core

men stayed out in the garden, not coming in to interrupt, and every so often, they'd send over little snacks and

grabbed

Don't spend all your time with men. With men, the more you settle, the more they take

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

moment, then finally asked, "But what

friends. If they found out the marriage was just a calculated

nice it was to have friends. But as soon as she calmed down, she reminded

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

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

finished with a dramatic roll of

Maja nodding in emphatic

chest-so this is what having

the time everyone finally left, it

Standing

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

the door, Athena

felt this way about anyone or

by her car, then suddenly turned around

come hang out

awkward, and it took

the house was quiet again, she turned

are really nice," she

just a minor actress, and alt of them were so accomplished men and

kindness, not the forced politeness she

didn't seem to care at all about

Tyler. She opened her mouth to say

Kerwin's parents were inseparable. She never imagined there was this whole other story beneath the

years and never once had she seen

Who would pay five million dollars for someone to take

put this whole ordeal behind her and lift

did you find Adam's mother

little brother's treatment, but he'd refused,

found them. Tomorrow, you can

known Tyler for years, but she'd never seen

ties with them without a second thought. At least, that's what the tabloids claimed. They said someone from

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

that she

day, Tyler did as promised he took her to see

and his mother disappeared, and Kerwin was rushed into emergency care. The scene had

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

was pounding the

died at the height of his youth, full of promise.

life studying, doing research, developing

imports anymore.

fo .net

was the kind of grand ambition only the

working

someone like him ust thinking back felt like tearing

stopped at the end of a narrow

end, she finally saw the woman from last night's

was sharp and bitter, but there was a deep worry etched there

whole new lease on life She'd thrown herself into one scheme

the son she'd

Chapter 2204

hell

voice trembled with fear, beads

stopping just beside her. She pulled a photo from her pocket-it was

remember

the instant she saw the picture. Clearly, she recognized

him! I swear I don't!

She was just

are

no answer. Tyler had never seen this side of her before. He knew her as gentle, tough, reserved, unwavering-but the cold fury that flashed in her eyes was

woman's fingers would probably be

now.

for Kerwin. There was nothing Athena wouldn't

and he barely contained his anger. "Let them handle the interrogation. All you need to do is wait for

shook off his hand and slammed her

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

woman shrieked, "I'll sue you! All of you!

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

her with pure hatred, as if she might lunge at Athena if given the

lying on the bed. She

rescued him-old enough to

played along, Kerwin would never

or seven years old, and already a

with a thud and

again, thrusting it in front