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 phone

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

feeling low all day, but at those words,

sprawled out on the couch,

almost here, man.

heading home. Athena

suddenly picking up a

hurry and, within half an hour,

the door, the

in the kitchen, apron tied around her waist, bustling

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

he wanted was to be selfish for a few more years-keep her by his side for

away with nothing, making sure she'd never

to him, it

thoughts swirled in Tyler's mind as he stepped into the kitchen. "What kind of soup is it? Smells

come home, ladled some soup into a

you out drinking

like Bert much, and quickly shook

he said. Then, after a

of the food, setting out a plate for him and serving some rice. The two

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

know I'm only doing this to get

know," he replied

prenup Let's add

take a cent from Tyler if they divorced. She just didn't want him to worry

at his bowl, silent

Athena assumed his quiet meant he

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

that was a miracle. And with the

s

CUMS

liked his reckless lifestyle-it felt like he was squandering a life others would give anything to

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

frown and purse her lips, he

and he fell silent, sipping the last of

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

struck him-he'd never dried a womChapter

realize she'd

bed, Tyler kept thinking about her

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 had agreed to marry him-did that

rolled over,

still awake, her mind caught on the idea of marriage—especially since the groom was Tyler, something she'd

quietly, “since you agreed to marry me, why

couldn't wait

expected him to be so eager.

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

he was up, pulling

"Getting married today."

value was obvious-Bert called him

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

speechless, as if watching Tyler march headlong into disaster-worse, he

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

dramatic. He sent five reaction gifs

took a few minutes, then finally offered up some congratulations. Tyler, feeling more than satisfied, picked Athena up and

ten minutes. He snapped a picture of their marriage certificate, posted it on Facebook, and sent it to his group chats.

tagged several people just to make sure it was real. But once Tyler showed off the

"The bride's really unlucky."

to fight back. He decided to treat

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

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

Chapter 2201

found herself suddenly overwhelmed with emotion, but for a moment, she didn't

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

there's just an unspoken

the dinner finally wound down, Carol reached for Athena's

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

always tell when someone's being

realized Carol truly loved her work. She remembered every plot

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

with Carol reaching out,

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

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

laughed, her eyes crinkling with

chatting and laughing,

caught a glimpse

for him outside. Tyler paused,

wives, shot him a puzzled

almost to

rarely smiled like that when she

flickering through his mind.

look with 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

"Yeah, let's do

hurried ahead

Felix and lan alone for a

his eyes. "Honestly, I never thought he'd change

and who would've guessed you'd drop to your knees the moment you

you have to take a jab at me every single

your biggest fan. If I'm too

let out a dry

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

to each other, I don't even know how to make things better anymore. We're like an old married

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 guessed that the same man, a powerhouse in the

fell silent. Ian had hit

and everyone piled into

together in the backseat. Carol's outgoing nature shone through as she immediately started quizzing Athena about every bit of juicy gossip she

the director and the producer got

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

a deep, impenetrable loneliness, especially when she was alone. It

never really understood it until

had no idea what kept her going, what reason she clung to, or how much longer she'd be

because she seemed so distant, so empty

attention, the more he found

found herself seated with Carol on her left and Maja

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

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

coming in to interrupt, and every so often, they'd send over little snacks and fruit, as if they just knew to give the women

grabbed

come out with us more often. Don't spend all your time with men. With men, the

a business arrangement. In her mind, she was earnestly teaching Athena how

long moment, then finally asked, "But what if

If they found out the marriage was just a calculated deal,

moment, Athena felt dizzy with warmth, thinking how nice it was to have friends. But as soon as she calmed down, she reminded herself they came from

resolved, she'd find some excuse to

said. "At least you won't get hurt. When I heard you were marrying him, I

dramatic roll of her

in emphatic agreement out of the

from Athena's chest-so this is

it was already one in

Standing

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

the door, Athena

she'd felt this way about anyone

paused by her car, then suddenly turned around and pulled Athena into a

come hang out with me and Carol,

and it took her

was quiet again, she turned

friends are really nice," she

go to dinner earlier-she'd been anxious, knowing she was just a minor actress, and alt of

everyone had treated her with genuine kindness, not the

seem to care at

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

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

known Kerwin for years and never once

pay five million dollars for someone to take his

put this whole ordeal behind her and lift the weight

did you find

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

found them. Tomorrow, you can come with me to meet

known Tyler for years, but she'd never seen him so

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

indifferent toward romance, but he

know what kind of person Tyler was, but now that she was working with

as promised

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

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

was pounding the

of his youth, full of promise. He had no obvious flaws,

his life studying, doing research, developing new soybean technology so

imports anymore.

fo .net

was the kind of grand ambition only the young could say out loud. But right

working under a leading expert,

throb. Anyone would have trouble forgetting someone like him ust thinking back felt like tearing

car stopped at the end of a narrow alley. She followed Tyler

far end, she finally saw

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

million dollars had given her a whole new lease on life She'd thrown herself

the son

Chapter 2204

the hell are you

with fear, beads of sweat

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

you remember this

instant she saw the picture. Clearly, she recognized

I swear I don't! Let me go,

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, blocking

are

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 something else

hadn't stopped her, the woman's fingers

now.

Kerwin. There was

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

his hand and slammed

He wanted to storm out, but

All of you! I'm calling the

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

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

to the boy lying on the bed. She strode over

to understand what was going on. And yet, he'd helped

along,

old, and already

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

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

expression contorted the boy's

I survive, huh? Maybe he should've minded ms OW! business: Are you

.net

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

you get hold of my brother?

The whole family-leeches, every last one

Kerwin have died because

a nearby chair, ready to bring it down on the

from her grasp and set it

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

spoke to his bodyguards. "Take her home first.

a grotesque grin, her lips pressing into

ears, to finally know which member of Kerwin's

expression darkened. "Take

"Tyler!" she protested.

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

stab wound in his shoulder hadn't hit anything

someone approached with

who ordered the hit

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

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

feat. Revenge for Kerwin was a

Tyler had to think twice