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

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 his new girlfriend, Bert's brother-in-law sent the

He was no exception. He just

insisted on torturing

she just held on to

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

lit another cigarette, but Bert snatched it away and

Chapter 2199

couldn't be bothered to

video games,

that his phone finally rang. Athena was calling. "The soup's ready. Are you coming home

been feeling low all day, but at those words, he dropped

out on the couch, raised his

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

Athena made

a hint of pride

within half an hour, was back

as he opened the door, the familiar, comforting

was in the kitchen, apron

sting. He

a few more years-keep her by his side for just a

He'd walk away with nothing, making sure she'd never

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

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

home, ladled some soup into a small bowl

out drinking

like Bert much,

he 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

to shatter the calm. He quietly

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

know," he replied

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 the other."

if they divorced. She just didn't

stared down at his bowl, silent and lost in

time, Athena assumed his quiet meant he agreed. But

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

a procedure like that was a miracle. And with the way Tyler drank and stayed up late he probably

s

CUMS

he was squandering a life others would give anything

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

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

in his chest, and he

night, he expected Athena would want to sleep in a separate room. But after his shower, he walked into his bedroom and saw her there, getting ready

flash of inspiration struck him-he'd never dried

laughed for a while, then seemed to realize she'd

Tyler kept thinking about her smile. He

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

rolled over,

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

agreed to marry me, why don't we go get

couldn't wait another

assumed this whole marriage 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

washed over Tyler. He'd been worried she might change her mind, 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 by his

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

"Getting married today."

was obvious-Bert called

joking, right? You're actually doing it? Athena said yes?"

Tyler march

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

five reaction gifs in a row,

some congratulations. Tyler, feeling more

certificate, posted it on

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. But once Tyler showed off the official certificate, Beck fell silent, leaving only

"The bride's really unlucky."

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

came with Maja, having left their kid at home. Abner Olson

Dylan was there too. He'd 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

Chapter 2201

but for a moment, she

atmosphere at the 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

there's just an unspoken understanding between

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

did your character only appear for a few episodes? I remember thinking she shouldn't have been killed off so soon. It felt so

someone's being genuine their eyes give it

work. She

she'd cut off

alone. But now, with Carol reaching out,

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

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

her eyes crinkling with

laughing, Tyler slipped away to

caught a glimpse of Athena's relaxed,

waiting for him outside. Tyler paused, not moving

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

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

rarely smiled like that when

tracks, memories of his own past with Maja flickering through

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

"Yeah, let's

hurried ahead to make

Felix and lan alone for a

eyes. "Honestly, I never

guessed you'd drop to your knees the moment

a deep breath. "Do you have to take a jab

biggest fan. If I'm too nice to you, I'll be

dry laugh.

what Carol likes and buying her gifts,

things better anymore.

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

silent. Ian

and everyone piled into their cars, heading to

as she immediately started quizzing Athena

that show you worked on, the director and the producer got

world, some people were open-minded, but flaunting

wrapped in a deep, impenetrable loneliness, especially when

really understood it until he learned

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

hadn't liked her at first was because she seemed so distant, so empty of the warmth and vitality

the more he found himself caring about

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

and lan's scandal blew up, it was all anyone talked about-impossible not to

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

to interrupt, and every so often, they'd send over little snacks and fruit, as if they just knew

grabbed

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

no idea Athena and Tyler's marriage was nothing more than a business arrangement. In her mind, she was earnestly teaching

moment, then finally asked, "But what

out the marriage was just

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

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

won't get hurt.

with a dramatic roll of her

in emphatic agreement out of the corner

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

left, it was already one

Standing

and out of nowhere a

the door, Athena

years since she'd felt this

then suddenly turned around and pulled Athena into

don't forget to come hang

and it took her a second

the house was quiet again, she turned to

friends are really nice," she

hadn't wanted to go to dinner earlier-she'd 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 nobody, barely

with genuine kindness, not the

to care at all about her

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

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

and never once had she seen his parents

pay five million dollars for someone to

wanted to put this whole ordeal behind her and lift the weight off

did you find Adam's mother

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

found them. Tomorrow, you can come with me to

known Tyler for years, but she'd

the Bennitt family's scandal broke out-Tyler had cut ties with them without a second thought. At least, that's what the tabloids claimed. They said someone from the Bennitt family had crossed

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

did as promised he

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 mother and son

be. She'd always thought Kerwin had just been unlucky. But if

heart was pounding

the height of his youth, full of promise. He had no obvious flaws, got along with everyone-people

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

imports anymore.

fo .net

the young could say out loud. But right

was about to start working under a leading

made Athena's head throb. Anyone would have trouble forgetting someone like him

car stopped at the end of a narrow alley. She

end, she finally saw

there was a deep worry etched there

her a whole new lease on life She'd thrown herself into one scheme after another

the

Chapter 2204

hell

woman's voice trembled with fear, beads of sweat dotting her

just beside her. She pulled a photo

remember this

the instant she saw the picture. Clearly,

don't know him! I swear I don't! Let me

came to getting answers. She was just about to

what are you

moment, she had no answer. Tyler had never seen this side of her before. He knew her as gentle, tough, reserved, unwavering-but the cold

woman's fingers would probably be

now.

There was nothing

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

shook off his hand and slammed her foot

nothing. He was torn between frustration and 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 stranger who wore her

All of you! I'm calling

her voice cold and steady. "Who paid you to hire

woman glared at her with pure hatred, as if she might lunge at Athena if given the chance.

to the boy lying on the bed. She strode

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

played along, Kerwin would never have

old, and already

hit the floor with a thud and snapped awake, his face

in front of him. "Do