Dear Ex-wife Marry Me novel (Maja) novel Chapter 2233

A glint of amusement flickered in Marlon’s eyes as he sat down beside her without hesitation.

“All right, I’ll eat.”

The menu arrived in no time, and the priciest item was only a couple of dollars per skewer.

Athena started explaining, “Everything here is handmade—real ingredients, no shortcuts. The broth is slow-cooked for hours, nothing artificial, just pure flavor. It’s honestly delicious. If you’ve got a big appetite, we could just order one of everything. I bet we could finish it all between the two of us.”

Marlon had never tried anything like this before, and his curiosity was piqued. He went ahead and ordered everything on the menu.

Soon, the owner brought over two huge bowls. The broth was creamy white, dotted with a swirl of chili oil—absolutely mouthwatering.

Athena took the first bite, her eyes lighting up with satisfaction. She fanned her mouth with her hand, clearly having burned herself from eating too quickly.

Marlon snorted, picked up his fork, and dug in.

The first taste was a revelation—surprisingly good. He shot Athena a look, intending to say something, but she was too absorbed in eating, silent as she polished off her bowl.

The two of them finished everything in companionable silence, and Athena got up to pay.

Marlon overheard the owner’s wife quoting the bill—just under fifteen dollars for the whole meal.

Not even twenty bucks. He felt a surge of annoyance. When Athena returned, he spoke up, his tone dry.

“This is what you took me out to eat?”

“Mr. Keller, you told me to treat you to a meal. Since I’m paying, I get to choose. Besides, I’m broke right now.”

She said it without a hint of embarrassment, leaving Marlon momentarily speechless.

His car had already been towed and needed repairs at the shop. Athena’s car was gone too, so the two of them stood by the curb, waiting for a cab.

Athena’s phone rang—Tyler calling to ask where she was.

“I’m out eating with a friend,” she answered.

That “friend” was Marlon.

Marlon heard every word. He smirked, “Since when am I your friend?”

Marlon just shook his head and let out a laugh.

“All right, see you, Athena.”

He had a feeling they’d be seeing each other again soon. He needed to get to the bottom of something—was Athena really the Keller family’s illegitimate daughter? There must be a reason Grandma Edith was acting so strangely.

Maggie’s words still nagged at him.

Athena lingered at the entrance of the mall, wandering inside just to kill time. She had no real interest in shopping; she just wasn’t ready to go home yet, not ready to face Tyler.

She also didn’t want Tyler to get suspicious. If he found out she was deliberately getting close to Marlon, he’d lose his mind.

But that was exactly what Athena intended to do. If Tyler wouldn’t give her the truth, she’d find it herself—and make sure everyone who’d wronged Kerwin paid for it.

After a quick lap around the mall, her phone rang again—Tyler, for the second time that evening.

Tyler had been on edge lately, ever since Athena’s fall at the wedding. Grandma Edith had even invited Athena over to the Keller estate again, which was completely out of character for her. Tyler had sent people to snoop around, but the Kellers were keeping things tight-lipped.

He couldn’t shake the feeling that things were spiraling out of his control—and there was nothing he could do to stop it.