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.

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.

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

All he wanted was to be selfish for a few more years-keep her by his side for just a while longer. After that, everything he owned would be hers.

Absolutely everything. He'd walk away with nothing, making sure she'd never be burdened by him.

She didn't even love him. If something happened to him, it probably wouldn't affect her at all.

These thoughts swirled in Tyler's mind as he stepped into the kitchen. "What kind of soup is it? Smells amazing," he asked, trying to sound casual.

hena, surprised he'd actually come home, ladled some soup into a small bowl and set it beside him.

"Were you out drinking with Bert again?"

Tyler assumed she didn't like Bert much, and quickly shook his head.

"No, I was with someone else," he said. Then, after a beat, added, "No women."

brought out the 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

He quietly sipped his soup, and just as he was finishing, Athena

you really sure you want to marry me? You know I'm only doing this to get to the bottom of Kerwin's

he

and looked him straight in the eye. "Alright then. If we're getting married ters get a prenup Let's

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

his bowl, silent and lost in

long time, Athena assumed his

asked, "If I died tomorrow,

instantly reminded of his heart surgery. Realistically, surviving ten years after a procedure like that was a miracle. And with the way

s

CUMS

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

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

saw her frown and purse

settled in his chest, and he fell silent,

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

sudden flash of inspiration struck

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

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

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

rolled over, facing

on the idea of marriage—especially since

said quietly, “since you agreed to marry me, why don't we

wait

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 a

didn't want to get married after all, or lose interest in finding

didn't sleep a wink all night. As soon as dawn broke, he was up, pulling on a new suit. He finally

"Getting married today."

was obvious-Bert called him

actually doing it? Athena said

speechless, as if watching Tyler march headlong

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

He sent five reaction gifs in a row, all

Tyler, feeling more than satisfied, picked Athena up and drove straight

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

on earth did 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

"The bride's really unlucky."

a mood to fight back. He

a good crowd showed up-old friends from their circle. Ian came with Maja, having left their kid at

there too. He'd come to visit Maja and had brought along a sweet-looking girl who barely looked up from her food, except

Chapter 2201

with emotion, but for a moment, she didn't know what

of awkwardness, until Carol Miller started chatting with Athena Zade about the TV shows she'd filmed. That's when Maja realized Carol had actually watched Athena's series. The tension in Athena's posture visibly

an unspoken

reached for Athena's hand before they left the

did—why did your character only appear for a few episodes? I remember thinking

always tell when someone's being genuine their eyes give

her work. She remembered every plot twist,

Bennitt, she'd cut off all contact.

with Carol reaching out, she felt a rare

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

character was such a fan favorite. If you'd finished the

her eyes crinkling with

women stood together, chatting and laughing, Tyler slipped

a glimpse of Athena's relaxed,

waiting for him outside. Tyler paused, not moving toward them

to get to their wives, shot him a puzzled look as

said quietly, almost to himself, "Let her enjoy her laughter

smiled like that when she was

memories of his own past with Maja flickering through his mind. Love was always the thing that

with Felix and suggested, "Why don't we all head back to your place tonight? It's been ages since we've all

"Yeah, let's do

ahead

and lan

eyes. "Honestly, I never thought

would've guessed you'd drop to your

breath. "Do you have to take a jab at me every single

If I'm too nice to you, I'll be sleeping in the guest room

a dry laugh.

spend half your life trying to figure out what Carol likes and buying her gifts, just to sta on her good side. Honestly, I envy you. At least you have a target to aim for. Look at me

how to make things better anymore. We're like an

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 boardroom, would be so

silent. Ian had hit

and everyone piled into their

the backseat. Carol's outgoing nature shone through as she

I heard on that show you worked on, the director and

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

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

never really understood it until he

leave everything behind. He had no idea what kept her going, what reason

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

the more he paid attention, the more he found

found herself seated with Carol on her left and Maja on her

actually recognized Maja. Back when Maja and lan's scandal blew up, it was all

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 resilience

and every so often, they'd send over little snacks and fruit, as if they just knew

grabbed

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

nothing more than a business arrangement. In her mind, she was earnestly

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

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

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

excuse to divorce Tyler, leave Greenfield, and

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

with a dramatic roll of her

catching Maja nodding in emphatic agreement out of the corner of

Athena's chest-so this is what having friends feels

finally left, it was already

Standing

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

the door, Athena

felt this way about anyone

by her car, then suddenly turned around and

don't forget to come hang out with me and

stiff and awkward, and it took her a second to respond.

quiet again, she turned to

really nice," she

actress, and alt of them were so accomplished men

treated her with genuine kindness, not the forced

care at all about

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

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

Kerwin for years and never

would pay five million dollars

just wanted to put this whole ordeal behind her and lift the weight off her

did you find Adam's

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

you can come with me to

Tyler for years, but she'd never

remembered 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 crossed Maja, and Tyler had walked

seemed indifferent toward

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

next day, Tyler did as promised he took her to see

She only knew that after the child was rescued, both he and his mother disappeared, and Kerwin was rushed into emergency care. The scene had been pure chaos, and only later did anyone realize that mother

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

pounding the whole

height of his youth, full of promise. He had

say he'd spend his life studying, doing research, developing new soybean technology so the country

imports anymore.

fo .net

only the young could say out loud. But

about to start working under a

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

the end of a narrow alley.

far end, she finally saw the woman from

a deep worry etched there too-no doubt for

given her a whole new lease on life She'd thrown herself into one scheme after another spent money recklessly and now

the

Chapter 2204

the hell are you

woman's voice trembled with fear, beads of

She pulled a photo from her pocket-it

you remember

color the instant she saw the picture. Clearly, she

I swear I

book when it came to getting answers. She was just about to grind the heel

what are you

she had no answer. Tyler had never seen this side of her before. He knew her as

her, the woman's fingers would

now.

for Kerwin. There was nothing Athena

his anger. "Let them handle the interrogation. All you need to

and slammed her

nearly choking him. He wanted to storm out, but he didn't. Instead, he dropped heavily into

"I'll sue you! All of you! I'm

down, her voice cold and steady. "Who paid you to hire a

at her with pure hatred, as if she might lunge at Athena if given the

bed. She strode over

seven when they first rescued him-old enough to understand

hadn't played along,

years old, and already a

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

it in

contorted the boy's

He just sucked at swimming Why did I survive, huh?

.net

still didn't grasp the seriousness of the

hold of my brother?

whole family-leeches, every last one

through her. How could Kerwin have died

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

chair from her grasp and set it aside. "You're

Athena. The moment anything involves Kerwin, you lose all sense and forget

a shaky breath, and spoke to his bodyguards. "Take her home

was twisted into a grotesque grin,

her own ears, to finally know which

expression darkened. "Take her

"Tyler!" she protested.

guards grabbed her by the arms and marched her back to

signaled for someone to take him to the hospital. The stab wound in his shoulder

waited, someone approached with

who ordered

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

Two years ago, Marlon had shifted the family's focus back home, building up a shipping

feat. Revenge for Kerwin

ruled for generations. Even Tyler had to think twice before

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 to Abner

depth. Any

man beside

won't be

enough. Even with help from lan and Fitch Haskins, this would

mess-why drag

complicate things further, Maja

were close friends, thot

famintertwined for years, ele

Everyone r

the

wound was stitched up, Tyler was ready

he returned and saw Athena's anxious

she'd

out? Who

silent as she

dug up the truth, didn't they? Who was it?

they'd made when they got

"You've been on edge for days. You

answer, but

that TylerChapter

it, the angrier he became. He strode toward the door, pausing only to give

doesn't leave

running off and

bar, hoping to drown

was Maggie doing

her side was Abner. Abner kept his eyes fixed ahead, clearly intent on ignoring Tyler, but at the sight of him, Abner

a distraction, pushed open the door to a private booth. "Care to join

in. Maggie followed quickly, trying to maintain her air of haughty confidence, but she

Olson family years ago, crushing dissent with an iron fist. There were

couch, her hands pressed against her knees. When Abner finally spoke, his tone was casual but carried

the wedding planning with

lap. Just the mention of Marlon made her

him punishing someone. Blood was splattered across the floor, but nobody in

the spot. When she woke up, she'd

That bastard Marlon!

cruelty, she really did like him—otherwise, she never would have betrayed her own family and told him about Kerwin all those

She'd survived only by clinging to Abner's protection, and she

couldn't just kill her outright,

as Mrs. Keller, she could

when Maggie didn't answer right

voice trembling, "It's in two months. Everything's ready, cousin, you don't

He simply didn't like Maggie-she acted timid, but she was always scheming behind the scenes Honestly, it

losing

from them, Tyler sat silently, staring into his glass. He'd shared plenty of

kicked out

Maggie made up an excuse

corner, her expression twisted into something

number. Elsa picked up

Kerwin was the golden boy everyone's favorite, the one who seemed untouchable. But Kerwin only ever had eyes for

couldn't have him, then that

in Greenfield now. Want to