Dear Ex-wife Marry Me novel (Maja) novel Chapter 2156

As Tyler spat out his last few words, he hung up without waiting for a reply.

Anna finished her cigarette in silence, watching the smoke curl toward the ceiling. Before long, Athena returned from the market, arms full of groceries.

She headed straight for the kitchen and began to prepare dinner.

Tyler stood in the doorway, just watching her as she bustled around the small space.

He lingered there for a while, saying nothing. Athena could feel his gaze prickling against her back until, finally, he moved. He walked over and wrapped his arms around her waist.

“You really plan on cooking for me at this hour? Aren’t you tired?”

He wasn’t the kind of person to overthink things. After his last major surgery, he’d promised himself that he’d do whatever he wanted in this life, never letting anything—or anyone—hold him back. Family, love, friendship... to him, all of that was fleeting. All he cared about was making himself happy.

He never knew how much time he had left, so he lived for the moment, grabbing at any scrap of joy he could find.

Ian’s words earlier had finally made him realize it—he actually liked Athena. Maybe it wasn’t some grand, earth-shaking affection, but for him, it was rare enough to be precious.

No wonder she could always get under his skin. He only got angry because he cared.

If Athena liked him too, why not give it a shot? If she ever disappointed him, he could always walk away. After all, there were plenty of women out there—why tie himself down to just one?

Athena kept slicing vegetables, unfazed by his embrace.

Tyler leaned down and brushed his lips against her ear.

“You know, all this cooking and fussing... it’s just to make me care about you, right? Well, I care a little now. Happy?”

He smirked, picturing how moved she must be by his words.

But Athena only paused for a second before answering, calm as ever. “Happy.”

The smile faded from Tyler’s face. “Really happy?”

She looked as cheerful as someone at a funeral.

Frustration knotted in his chest. He squeezed her waist, harder than necessary. “Don’t turn things upside down. You’re cooking to get my attention, right? So now you’re ignoring me for the sake of dinner? Is it really worth it? I want you now.”

He buried his face in her neck, pressing a line of kisses against her skin.

He inhaled deeply, refusing to be the first to make contact. Instead, he called Doris, asking her to check in on Athena and see if she’d returned.

Doris was so surprised to hear from Tyler that she wondered if she was dreaming. Had Athena really gotten under his skin? No way.

She immediately called Athena, but there was no answer.

After Tyler left that night, Athena had gone straight to bed. The next day, she ran into Elsa.

Elsa wasted no time mocking her, then, as if it were nothing, mentioned that she had a ton of photos of Kerwin back in her hometown. “I took them myself, you know. I was obsessed with him back then, followed him around with my camera every day. There must be hundreds—at least. They’re still at my parents’ place. Here’s the address. Check under the bed, bottom drawer—you’ll find them there.”

There was a gleam of malice in Elsa’s eyes. Athena knew she had other motives but didn’t care. She only had one group photo of Kerwin, but she remembered Elsa’s relentless crush—always lurking in the shadows, snapping pictures. It was entirely possible she had a whole stash.

True or not, Athena had no choice—she had to go.

Elsa thought she was bluffing. But when she saw Athena actually board the bus headed to her hometown, Elsa burst out laughing, standing on the curb.

That bitch. She didn’t deserve Kerwin, and now she wanted to play the heartbroken lover? If only Athena would just disappear from this world forever.