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.

The two of them ended up killing time playing video games, Tyler glancing at his phone every now and then.

It wasn't until seven in the evening that his phone finally rang. Athena was calling. "The soup's ready. Are you coming home for dinner?"

Tyler had been feeling low all day, but at those words, he dropped his controller without hesitation and headed for the door.

Bert, sprawled out on the couch, raised his voice in protest.

"Where are you going? The food delivery's almost here, man. I can't eat all that by myself!"

"I'm heading home. Athena made soup," Tyler replied.

Bert paused, suddenly picking up a hint of pride in Tyler's tone.

Tyler left in a hurry and, within half an hour, was back at his place.

As soon as he opened the door, the familiar, comforting aroma hit him.

Athena was in the kitchen, apron tied around her waist, bustling about.

that, Tyler felt his eyes sting. He realized then how little he truly wanted from

his side for just a while longer. After that, everything he

with nothing, making sure she'd

If something happened to

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

soup into a small bowl and set it

you out drinking with Bert

didn't like Bert much, and quickly shook his

else," he said. Then, after a beat, added, "No

some rice. The two of them sitting together at the dinner table-it had been so long since they'd

shatter the calm. He quietly sipped his soup, and just as he was finishing, Athena

sure you want to marry me? You know I'm only doing this to get to

know," 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

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

his bowl, silent

assumed his quiet meant

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

that was a miracle. And with the

s

CUMS

lifestyle-it felt like he was squandering

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

when he saw her frown and purse her lips,

settled in his chest, and he fell silent, sipping

sleep in a separate room. But after his shower, he

inspiration struck

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

lay side by side in bed, Tyler kept thinking about her smile.

Tyler ignored them. All he could think about

rolled over,

idea of marriage—especially since the groom was Tyler, something she'd

marry me, why don't we go get our

wait

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 after

or lose interest in finding out what really happened to Kerwin. If

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

"Getting married today."

shock value was obvious-Bert called him

actually doing it? Athena said yes?"

speechless, as if watching Tyler march headlong


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

the most dramatic. He sent five reaction gifs in a row,

others took a few minutes, then finally offered up some congratulations. Tyler, feeling more than

certificate, posted it on Facebook,

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

"The bride's really unlucky."

mood to fight back. He decided to

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

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 to wipe her

Chapter 2201

but

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

just an unspoken understanding

the dinner finally wound down, Carol reached

appear for a few episodes? I remember thinking she shouldn't have been killed off

always tell when someone's being genuine their

realized Carol truly loved her work.

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

reaching out, she felt a

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

favorite. If

laughed, her eyes crinkling with

chatting and laughing, Tyler slipped away to pay the

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

waiting for him outside. Tyler paused, not

their wives, shot him a puzzled

quietly, almost to himself, "Let her enjoy her

like that when

in his tracks, memories of his own past with Maja flickering

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

relaxed. "Yeah, let's do

hurried ahead to make

Felix and lan alone for

narrowed his eyes. "Honestly, I never thought

you'd drop to your knees the moment you met

He drew in a deep breath. "Do you have to take a jab at me every

not exactly your biggest fan. If I'm too nice to you, I'll be sleeping

a dry

grinned. "Not like you're any better. I hear you spend half your life trying to figure out what Carol likes and buying her gifts,

to each other, I don't even know how to make things better

The business press was singing his praises, calling his latest projecthe industry's next

fell silent. Ian had hit a

everyone piled

outgoing nature shone through as she immediately started quizzing Athena about every

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

some people were open-minded, but flaunting something like

ago-Athena always seemed wrapped in a deep, impenetrable loneliness, especially when she was alone. It was as if she might vanish at

until

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

liked her at first was because she seemed so distant,

paid attention, the more he found himself caring about what she thought

inside, Athena found herself seated with Carol on her left and Maja on her

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

had always assumed Maja was proud, even a little cold, but after meeting her today, she realized there was a quiet gentleness about her, a core of

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

suddenly grabbed

time with men. With men, the more

Athena and Tyler's marriage was nothing more than a business arrangement. In her mind, she was

fell silent for a long moment, then finally asked,

women were Tyler's friends. If they found out the marriage was just a calculated deal, wouldn't

how nice it was to have friends. But as soon as she calmed down,

find some excuse to divorce Tyler, leave Greenfield, and

responding. "Isn't that even better?" Carol said. "At least you won't get hurt. When

dramatic

catching Maja nodding in emphatic

Athena's chest-so this is

left, it was already

Standing

ready to leave and out of nowhere a

the door, Athena

years since she'd felt this way

then suddenly turned around and pulled

don't forget to come hang

and it took her a second to respond. Eventually, she

the house was quiet

are really

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

with genuine kindness, not the forced politeness she

didn't seem to care at all about

mouth to say something, then thought better

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

and never

dollars for someone

put this whole ordeal behind her and lift the weight off

find

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

found them. Tomorrow, you can come with me

Tyler for years, but

least, that's what the tabloids claimed. They said someone from

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

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

Tyler did as promised he took her to see

Athena hadn't had time to memorize the woman's face. She only knew that after the child was rescued, both he and his mother disappeared, and

she knew how dark and complicated people could be. She'd always thought Kerwin had just been unlucky. But if this


heart was pounding the whole drive

his youth, full of promise. He

developing new soybean technology so

imports anymore.

fo .net

was the kind of grand ambition only the young could

to start working under a leading

Anyone would have trouble forgetting someone like him ust

the end of a

she finally saw

was a deep worry etched there too-no doubt

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

to the son

Chapter 2204

hell are you

with fear, beads of

She

remember this

of color the instant she saw

know him! I swear

it came to getting answers. She was just about to grind the heel of her boot into the

what are you

before. He knew her as gentle, tough, reserved, unwavering-but the cold fury that flashed in

he hadn't stopped her, the woman's fingers would

now.

for Kerwin. There was nothing Athena

wave of agitation washed over Tyler, and he barely contained his anger. "Let them handle the interrogation. All you

and slammed her foot


torn between frustration and heartbreak, the bitterness nearly choking him. He wanted to storm out, but he

"I'll sue you! All of you!

paid you to hire a hitman back then? Do you remember what they

Athena if given the chance. But the two bodyguards

the boy lying on the bed. She strode over and, without

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

played along, Kerwin would

seven years old,

floor with a thud

the photo again, thrusting it in

expression contorted the boy's features, his eyes

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

.net


of the situation.

my brother? Is he gonna pay up

The whole family-leeches, every last one

Kerwin have died because of people like this?

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

the chair from her grasp and set it

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

from his shoulder, drew in a shaky breath, and spoke to his bodyguards.

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

needed to hear the truth about Listina with her own ears, to finally know which member of

darkened. "Take

"Tyler!" she protested.

have a chance to struggle. Two guards grabbed her by the arms and marched her back

the hospital. The stab wound in his shoulder hadn't hit anything vital, but blood was still seeping through

someone approached with a

one who ordered the

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

belonged to Marlon Keller. Two years ago, Marlon had shifted the

no easy feat. Revenge

ruled for generations. Even Tyler had to think twice


his brow, scanning through the files in his hands. Marlon Keller was reckless and ruthless, and anyone who'd crossed him had paid dearly. He was newly engaged to Maggie Olson, cousin

matter which side Athena landed on, she was out of her depth. Any one

beside Tyler

this won't be

with help from lan and Fitch Haskins, this

was his own mess-why drag his friends

things

were close friends, thot

famintertwined for years, ele

Everyone r

in the same

was ready to head back to the

when he returned and saw Athena's anxious face, a


she'd

did you find out? Who was behind it back

stayed silent as she strode right

didn't they? Who was it? Just tell

this the deal they'd made when they got

pushed her hand away. "You've been on edge for days. You should get some

didn't answer,

screamed that

He strode toward the door,

doesn't leave

off and causing any more

him to a bar, hoping to drown his frustration with a few drinks-and, as luck

doing here in

intent on ignoring Tyler, but

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