Dear Ex-wife Marry Me novel (Maja) novel Chapter 2168

When Tyler came downstairs after washing up the next morning, he found Athena already absorbed in a cookbook.

There was always something reassuring about her presence.

She was quiet, almost serene—so much so that it was hard to imagine a woman like her surviving even a few years in show business.

How did she manage to stay so unbothered, so mild and unambitious, in such a cutthroat world?

But then he remembered what she’d told him: she’d entered the industry just to get closer to him. The thought made something in his chest go soft.

After they finished breakfast together, Athena picked up a novel and asked him what he’d like for dinner.

Tyler flopped down, resting his head in her lap. “I actually have dinner plans tonight,” he said, gazing up at her. “Come with me?”

Her body tensed. She hesitated, then gently ran her fingers through his hair.

“No, thanks. I don’t really like noisy events.”

He grinned. “Then how did you handle all those parties and toasts back when you were acting?”

“I just endured it.”

“And now?”

“I don’t have to act anymore,” she replied quietly, “and besides, you’re my boyfriend.”

That simple statement delighted Tyler; he couldn’t help but smile.

“Oh? So this is how you flirt with your boyfriend, huh?”

He sat up, kissed her lightly on the lips, and then lay back down with a contented chuckle.

That little beauty mark near his nose made him look even more roguish, especially with his playful, smiling eyes. It was impossible to look away.

Athena’s fingers kept moving gently through his hair. Tyler used to spend most of his time out—dinners with friends, searching for inspiration, hammering out new screenplays. He’d always found his own home a little too empty.

But now, with Athena here, he found he didn’t really want to go out at all.

He’d never realized how comforting it could be to just soak up the sunlight at home, feeling the warmth seep into his bones until even his restlessness faded.

He spent the whole week lazing around the house with Athena, until finally Bert called to check in—sounding more than a little suspicious.

Back when everyone kept tabs on each other, a whole week without a night out was unheard of—unless you were locked away writing, and Tyler’s latest show had just premiered and broken records. He was supposed to be taking a well-earned break, not hiding out at home.

Bert narrowed his eyes, shushing the people around him. “How about this: I heard Athena made some decent money back when she was acting. If you can get her to buy you something worth half her savings, we’ll believe you don’t actually care about her.”

Men’s bets could be childish, but pride was pride.

To Athena, it didn’t seem like a big deal—she could always make it up to herself later.

After the call, Tyler turned to her. “How much did you make in all those years acting?”

Athena put her book aside, thoughtfully checking through her bank accounts.

She’d been under contract, so her cut wasn’t huge, but she’d managed to save about three million dollars, including a bit from smart investments. If she sold off some assets, she could pull together the full amount.

“Three million,” she said simply.

“I’ve got my eye on a watch,” Tyler said, half-joking, half-serious. “One and a half million. Would you buy it for me?”

Athena didn’t even hesitate. “Of course. Just send me a picture and I’ll have Doris call her contacts and order it for you.”

Her quick agreement caught Tyler off guard; suddenly, the bet with Bert didn’t seem quite so harmless.

One and a half million might be pocket change for him and Bert, but it was half of Athena’s hard-earned savings—money she’d endured so much to make. Just to win a bet, was he really going to ask her to spend half her fortune?