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.

of them ended up killing time playing video games, Tyler

in the evening that his phone finally rang. Athena was

all day, but at those words, he dropped his controller without hesitation and headed

sprawled out on the couch, raised his voice

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

heading home. Athena made

paused, suddenly picking up a

half an hour,

opened the door, the familiar,

kitchen, apron tied

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

selfish for a few more years-keep her by his side for just a while longer. After that,

making sure she'd never be burdened

even love him. If something happened to him, it

"What kind of soup is it? Smells amazing," he asked, trying

ladled some soup into a small bowl and set it beside

out drinking with Bert

assumed she didn't like Bert much, and quickly shook

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

rest of the food, setting out a plate for him and serving some rice. The two of them sitting together at the dinner table-it had been so long since they'd had a moment like

shatter the calm. He quietly

I'm only doing

he

get a prenup Let's add up

they divorced. She just didn't want him to worry

down at his bowl, silent and lost

long time, Athena assumed his quiet meant he agreed. But

up and asked, "If I died tomorrow,

his heart surgery. Realistically, surviving ten years after a procedure like that was a miracle. And with the way Tyler drank and stayed up late he probably didn't have many

s

CUMS

never liked his reckless lifestyle-it felt like he was

he didn't seem to value the

he saw her frown and purse her lips, he realized just how hard

dull ache settled in his chest, and he fell silent, sipping the

room. But after his shower, he walked into his bedroom and saw her there, getting ready

of inspiration struck him-he'd never dried a

then seemed to realize she'd never laughed so freely in front of

night, as they lay side by side in bed, Tyler kept thinking about her smile. He tossed and turned, unable to

go out for drinks. Tyler ignored them. All he could think about was that Athena had agreed to marry him-did that mean they could get the

over, facing

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

me,

couldn't wait another

line. She hadn't expected him to be so eager. For a moment, she didn't know

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

broke, he was up, pulling on

"Getting married today."

value was

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

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

with lan and the

of course, was the most dramatic. He sent five reaction gifs

Tyler, feeling more than satisfied, picked

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

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."

mood to fight back. He decided to

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

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 just handed her a

Chapter 2201

Pennyfeather found herself suddenly overwhelmed with emotion, but for a

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

an unspoken understanding

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

last show you did—why did your character only appear for a few episodes?

someone's being genuine their eyes

Carol truly loved her work.

kiss Tyler Bennitt, she'd cut off all contact. It still stung; she knew things could never go back to how they

reaching out, she felt a rare sense

explained quietly. "My agency froze my contract, so I couldn't keep filming. That's why my character had to leave

favorite. If you'd finished the role,

her eyes crinkling

laughing, Tyler slipped away to

glimpse of Athena's

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

men, eager to get to their wives, shot

hesitated, and said quietly, almost to himself, "Let her enjoy her

smiled like that when she was

past with Maja flickering through his mind. Love was

look with Felix and suggested, "Why don't we all head back to your place tonight?

"Yeah, let's

hurried ahead

lan alone

eyes. "Honestly, I never thought he'd

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

have to take a jab at me every single time we go

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

let out a dry laugh. "Whipped,

hear you spend half your life trying to figure out what Carol likes and buying her gifts, just to

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

singing his praises, calling his latest projecthe industry's next big thing. But who would've guessed

fell silent. Ian had hit

finished making arrangements, and everyone piled into

shone through as

you worked on, the director and the producer got together.

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

when she was alone. It was as if she might vanish at any moment, dissolving into

understood it until

let go, to leave everything behind. He had no idea what kept her going, what reason she clung to, or how

because she seemed so distant, so empty of the warmth and vitality that drew

attention, the more he found himself caring about

was inside, Athena found herself seated with Carol

lan's scandal blew up, it was all anyone

assumed Maja was proud, even a little cold, but after meeting her today,

men stayed out in the garden, not coming in to interrupt, and every so often, they'd send over little snacks and fruit, as if they just knew to give the

suddenly grabbed Athena's

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

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

silent for a long moment, then finally asked, "But what if I'm only

women were Tyler's friends. If they found out the marriage was

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

resolved, she'd find some excuse

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

a dramatic

laugh, catching Maja nodding in emphatic

lifted from Athena's chest-so this is what

everyone finally left, it was already one in

Standing

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

the door, Athena

felt this

suddenly turned around and pulled Athena into a

hang out with me

it took her a second to

the house was quiet again, she

friends are really nice," she

alt of them were so accomplished men and women alike. In their world, she was a nobody, barely even

with genuine kindness, not the forced politeness she

to care

she found herself envious of Tyler. She opened her mouth to say something, then thought better of it and fell silent.Chapter

inseparable. She never imagined there was this whole other story

never once had

five million dollars for someone

whole ordeal behind her and lift the

find Adam's

for his little brother's treatment, but he'd refused, so

you can

for years, but she'd

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

seemed indifferent toward romance, but he was genuinely

that she was working with him, she knew she'd see more sides of him than she'd ever

promised he took her to see

time to memorize the woman's face. She only knew that after the child was rescued, both he and his mother disappeared, and Kerwin

like this before; she knew how dark and complicated people could be. She'd always thought Kerwin had just been

pounding the

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

doing research, developing

imports anymore.

fo .net

of grand ambition only the young could say out loud.

was about to start working under a leading expert, he

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

at the end of a narrow

end, she finally saw the woman from last

was a deep worry etched

than her age; maybe that five million dollars had given her a whole new lease on life She'd thrown herself into one scheme after

the son she'd

Chapter 2204

hell are

fear, beads of sweat dotting

stopping just beside her. She

you remember this

the instant she saw the picture.

I swear I don't! Let

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

are you

a moment, she had no answer. Tyler had never seen this side of her before. He knew her

woman's fingers

now.

There was nothing Athena wouldn't

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

and slammed her

bitterness nearly choking him. He wanted to storm out, but he didn't.

shrieked, "I'll sue you! All of you! I'm calling the

steady. "Who paid you to hire

hatred, as if she might lunge at Athena if given the chance. But

the boy lying on the bed. She strode

about six or seven when they first rescued him-old enough to understand what was going

he hadn't played along, Kerwin would

or seven years old, and already

a thud and

thrusting it in front of him. "Do

contorted the boy's features,

I wanted him dead. He just sucked at swimming Why did I survive, huh? Maybe he

.net

grasp the seriousness of the

of my brother? Is he gonna pay up

whole family-leeches, every last one

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

bring it down on the boy, when a

her grasp and set

involves Kerwin, you lose all sense and

yanked the knife from his shoulder, drew in a shaky breath, and spoke to his bodyguards. "Take her home first. Let

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

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

darkened. "Take her

"Tyler!" she protested.

guards grabbed

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

waited, someone approached

who ordered the hit was the Keller

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 belonged to Marlon Keller. Two years ago, Marlon had shifted the family's focus back home, building up a shipping empire and

easy feat. Revenge for Kerwin

had ruled for generations. Even Tyler had to