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, Tyler glancing at his

seven in the evening that his phone finally rang. Athena was calling. "The

words, he dropped his controller without hesitation and headed

out on the couch, raised his

here, man. I can't eat all

Athena made soup,"

suddenly picking up a hint of pride in Tyler's

a hurry and, within half an hour, was back at his

opened the door, the familiar, comforting aroma

the kitchen, apron tied around her

He realized then how little he

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

away with nothing, making sure she'd

If something happened to

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

come home, ladled some soup into a small bowl and set it beside

drinking with Bert

she didn't like Bert much,

I was with someone else," he said. Then, after a

serving some rice. The two of

didn't want to say anything to shatter the calm. He quietly sipped his soup, and just as he was finishing, Athena

You know I'm only doing this to get to the bottom of Kerwin's

he replied

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

take a cent from Tyler if they divorced. She just didn't want him to worry about it she figured a prenup would put

down at his bowl, silent and

Athena assumed his quiet meant he agreed. But

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

a miracle. And with the way Tyler drank and stayed up late he probably didn't

s

CUMS

felt like he was squandering a life others would give

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

and purse her lips, he realized

he fell silent, sipping the last

separate room. But after his shower, he walked into his

of inspiration struck him-he'd never dried

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

by side in bed, Tyler kept thinking about her smile. He tossed and turned, unable

phone buzzed with 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

over,

on the idea of marriage—especially since the groom

to marry me, why don't we go get our marriage license

couldn't wait another

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

worried she might change her mind, decide she didn't want to get married after all, or lose interest in finding out what really

he was up, pulling

"Getting married today."

shock value was obvious-Bert

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

as if watching Tyler march

the news in his group chat with lan and the others. Silence at

most dramatic. He sent five reaction

up some congratulations. Tyler, feeling more than satisfied,

picture of their marriage certificate, posted it on

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

"The bride's really unlucky."

a mood to fight back. He decided to treat

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

a sweet-looking girl who barely looked up from her food,

Chapter 2201

overwhelmed with emotion, but for

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 up to Carol. Carol shot Maja a quick wink, and Maja couldn't help

just an unspoken

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

did—why did your character only appear for a few episodes? I remember thinking she shouldn't

someone's being genuine their eyes give

truly loved her work. She remembered every plot twist,

off

with Carol reaching out, she felt a rare sense of

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 leave the show

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

laughed, her eyes crinkling with

chatting and laughing, Tyler slipped away

he caught a glimpse of Athena's relaxed, carefree smile

Brown were waiting for him

two men, eager to get to their wives,

a cigarette, hesitated, and said quietly, almost to himself, "Let

rarely smiled like that

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

to your place tonight? It's been ages since we've all hung out together. Let's

visibly relaxed. "Yeah,

hurried ahead to make

Felix and lan alone for a

narrowed his eyes. "Honestly, I

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

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

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

a dry laugh.

her gifts, just to sta on her good side. Honestly,

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

acquiring several rival companies. The business press was singing his praises, calling his latest projecthe industry's next big thing.

silent. Ian had hit

and everyone piled into their cars, heading to

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

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

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

deep, impenetrable loneliness, especially when she was alone. It was as if

until

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

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

the more he found himself caring about what she thought

Athena found herself seated with Carol

lan's scandal blew up, it was all anyone talked about-impossible

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

not coming in to interrupt, and every so often, they'd send over little snacks and fruit, as if

grabbed

with men. With men, the more you settle, the

business arrangement. In her mind, she was earnestly

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

the marriage was

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

Kerwin's situation was resolved, she'd find some excuse to divorce Tyler, leave Greenfield,

Maja just paused before responding. "Isn't that even better?" Carol said. "At least you won't get hurt. When I heard you were marrying

with a dramatic roll of

laugh, catching Maja nodding in emphatic

weight lifted from Athena's chest-so this is what

it was already

Standing

and Maja get ready to leave and out

the door, Athena

since she'd felt this way about anyone

paused by her car, then suddenly turned around and

come hang out with me and Carol,

it took her

the house was quiet again, she

friends are really nice,"

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,

genuine kindness, not the forced politeness

care at all about her

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

were inseparable. She never imagined there was

and never once had she seen his parents

Who would pay five million dollars for

behind her

find Adam's mother and

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

can come with me

years, but she'd never

when 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

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

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 she'd

Tyler did as promised

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

could be. She'd

heart was pounding the whole drive

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

say he'd spend his life studying, doing research, developing new soybean

imports anymore.

fo .net

of grand ambition only the young could say out

was about to start working under a leading expert,

memories made Athena's head throb. Anyone would have trouble forgetting someone like him ust thinking back felt like tearing at

car stopped at the end of a narrow alley. She

finally saw the woman from last night's

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

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

the son she'd

Chapter 2204

the hell are you

voice trembled with fear,

beside her. She pulled

remember this

of color the instant she

him! I swear I don't! Let me

getting answers. She was just about to grind the heel of

are you

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 something

her, the woman's fingers would probably be

now.

was nothing Athena wouldn't

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

and

frustration and heartbreak, the bitterness nearly choking him. He wanted to storm out, but he didn't. Instead, he dropped heavily

All of you! I'm calling

crouched down, her voice cold and steady. "Who paid you to hire a hitman back then? Do

as if she might lunge at Athena if given the chance. But the two bodyguards had her pinned to the floor, leaving

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

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

played along, Kerwin would

seven years old,

the floor with a thud and snapped

photo again, thrusting it in front of

twisted expression contorted the boy's features, his eyes

at swimming Why did I survive, huh? Maybe he should've minded ms OW! business: Are you planning to avenge him? It's been

.net

seriousness of the situation.

my brother? Is he

The whole

chill run through her. How could Kerwin have died because of people like this? It was so damn

chair, ready to bring it down on the boy, when a hand caught

chair from her grasp and set it

I see how it is, Athena. The moment anything involves Kerwin, you

yanked the knife from his shoulder, drew in a shaky breath, and spoke to

glanced at the young man whose face was twisted into a grotesque grin, her lips pressing into

Listina with her own ears, to finally know which member of Kerwin's family had pulled the

expression darkened. "Take

"Tyler!" she protested.

she didn't have a chance to struggle. Two guards grabbed her by the arms and marched her back

him to the hospital. The stab wound in his shoulder hadn't hit anything

waited, someone approached with a

confirmed it. The one who ordered the hit was the Keller family's second

of the family, had 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

power in the Keller family belonged to Marlon Keller. Two years ago, Marlon had shifted the family's focus back home,

no easy feat. Revenge for Kerwin was a pipe

Kellers had ruled for generations. Even Tyler had