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

Back then, his sister and

brother-in-law had been close. Bert 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 ruit of love" became an eyesore. To please his new girlfriend, Bert's brother-in-law sent the child to live with the Frost family and took off overseas. s

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

why women insisted on torturing themselves.

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

comfortably for the rest of her days. Instead, she insisted on digging into her first love's death, keeping a wedge between herself and Tyler forever.

Tyler lit another cigarette, but Bert snatched it away and tossed it in the trash.

Chapter 2199

Tyler stayed silent, and Bert couldn't be bothered to ask any more questions.

video games,

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

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

on the couch, raised

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

heading home. Athena made

up a hint of pride in Tyler's

left in a hurry and, within half an hour, was back

door,

the kitchen, apron tied around her

sting. He

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

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

to him, it

swirled in Tyler's mind as he stepped into the kitchen. "What

surprised he'd actually come home, ladled some soup into

drinking

she didn't like Bert much,

was with someone else," he said.

the food, setting out a plate for him and serving some rice. The two of them sitting together at the dinner table-it had

say anything to shatter the calm. He quietly sipped

marry me? You know I'm only doing this

he replied

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 what I've saved and what you've saved over the years-keep itfair. No one takes advantage of the

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

stared down at his bowl, silent

assumed his quiet meant he

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

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

s

CUMS

liked his reckless lifestyle-it felt like he was

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

but when he saw her frown and purse her lips, he realized just

in his chest, and he fell silent, sipping the last of his

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

struck him-he'd never

she'd never laughed so freely in front of

Tyler kept thinking about her smile. He tossed and turned,

them. All he could think about was that Athena had agreed to marry

over, facing

caught on the idea of marriage—especially

you agreed to marry me, why don't we

wait

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

to get married after all, or lose interest in finding out what really happened to Kerwin. If that happened,

night. As soon as dawn broke, he was up, pulling on

"Getting married today."

was obvious-Bert

actually doing it? Athena said

Tyler march headlong into disaster-worse, he was

in his group chat with lan and the others.

the most dramatic. He sent five reaction gifs in a

a few minutes, then finally offered up some congratulations. Tyler, feeling more than satisfied, picked Athena up and drove straight to City

of their marriage certificate, posted it on Facebook, and sent it to his group

someone like Tyler manage to get married? He tagged several people just to make sure it was real. But once Tyler

"The bride's really unlucky."

good a mood to fight back. He decided

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

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

Chapter 2201

found herself suddenly overwhelmed with emotion, but for

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 tension in Athena's posture visibly eased, her features softening as she opened

just an

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

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

being genuine

truly loved her work. She

seeing Doris kiss Tyler Bennitt, she'd cut off all contact.

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

"My agency froze my contract, so I

a shame! That character was such a fan favorite. If you'd

her eyes crinkling with genuine

the women stood together, chatting and laughing, Tyler slipped away

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

Felix Brown were waiting for him outside. Tyler

their wives, shot him a puzzled look as

quietly, almost to himself, "Let her enjoy her

smiled like that when

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

suggested, "Why don't we all head back to your place tonight? It's been

visibly relaxed. "Yeah, let's

ahead

lan alone for a

I never

you'd drop

breath. "Do you have to take

exactly your biggest fan. If I'm too nice to you, I'll be sleeping in the guest

out a dry laugh. "Whipped,

buying her gifts, just to sta on her good side. Honestly, I envy you. At least you have a target to

don't even know how to make things better anymore. We're like

been riding high at work lately, acquiring several rival companies. The business press was singing his praises, calling his latest projecthe industry's next big thing. But who would've

fell silent. Ian had

arrangements, and everyone piled into their cars, heading to

through as she immediately started

on that show you worked on, the director and the producer got together. Weren't they both

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

a long time ago-Athena always seemed wrapped in a deep, impenetrable loneliness, especially when she was alone. It was

never really understood it until

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

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

he found himself caring

was inside, Athena found herself seated with Carol

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

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

every so often, they'd send over little snacks

suddenly grabbed

time with men. With men, the more

Tyler's marriage was nothing more than a business arrangement. In her mind, she was earnestly teaching Athena how to

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

the marriage was just

Athena felt dizzy with warmth, thinking how nice it was to have friends. But as soon as she

situation was resolved, she'd find some excuse to

and Maja just paused before responding. "Isn't that even better?" Carol said. "At least you won't get hurt.

finished with a dramatic

but laugh, catching Maja nodding in emphatic agreement out of the corner of her

Athena's chest-so this

the time everyone finally left, it was already

Standing

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

the door, Athena

since she'd felt this way about anyone or

turned around and pulled Athena into a

to come hang out with

awkward, and it took her a second to

was quiet again,

friends are really nice,"

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

treated her with genuine kindness, not the forced politeness she was

to care at all about her

She opened her mouth to

inseparable. She never imagined there

known Kerwin for years and never once had she seen his

dollars

whole ordeal behind her and lift the

did you find Adam's

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

found them. Tomorrow, you can come

Tyler for years, but

At least, that's what the tabloids claimed. They said someone from the Bennitt family had crossed Maja, and Tyler had walked away

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

of person Tyler was, but now that she was working with him, she knew she'd see more sides of him than she'd

promised he took her

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

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

pounding the

had died at the height of his youth, full of promise. He had no obvious flaws,

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

imports anymore.

fo .net

only the

about to start working under

head throb. Anyone would have trouble forgetting someone

of

the far end, she finally saw the

a deep worry etched

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

the son

Chapter 2204

the hell are

voice trembled with fear, beads of sweat dotting

just beside her. She

remember this

drained of color the instant she saw the

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

had taught Athena every trick in 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

are you

she had 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.

There was nothing Athena

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

off his hand and slammed her foot down

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

"I'll sue you! All of you!

to

with pure hatred, as if she might lunge at Athena if given the chance. But the two bodyguards had her pinned

boy lying on the bed. She strode

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

hadn't played along, Kerwin would

years old,

hit the floor with a thud and snapped awake,

again, thrusting it in front of him. "Do you

twisted expression contorted the

huh?

.net

still didn't grasp the seriousness of the situation. He turned to

hold of my brother?

was it. The whole family-leeches,

Kerwin have died because

nearby chair, ready to bring it down on the boy, when

her grasp and set it

is, Athena. The moment anything involves Kerwin, you lose

a shaky breath, and spoke

a grotesque grin, her lips pressing into a

her own ears, to finally know which member of Kerwin's family had pulled the strings all those

expression darkened.

"Tyler!" she protested.

grabbed her by the arms and marched her back to the

in his shoulder hadn't hit anything vital, but blood was still seeping through

someone approached with a

ordered the hit was the Keller family's

fought tooth and nail for his position. Back then, he'd systematically eliminated his older brother and every other male relative standing between him and the top. The Kellers had always clung to tradition—inheritance passed only to sons. Daughters were never a threat, but any stray male relative was a ticking time bomb. So, even if Mr. Keller had never met Kerwin, even knowing Kerwin would likely never return to the Keller family,

after all these years, every ounce of power in the Keller family belonged to Marlon Keller. Two years ago, Marlon had shifted the family's focus back home,

easy feat. Revenge for Kerwin was a pipe

for generations. Even Tyler had to think twice before making a move