Dear Ex-wife Marry Me novel (Maja) novel Chapter 2213

Maggie stepped forward, looping her arm through Athena’s with the easy intimacy of old friends.

“I’m glad you’re not upset. I never imagined we’d run into each other again after all these years—and on my birthday, no less! We should definitely get together more. I hardly know anyone in Greenfield, and you and I go way back.”

“Absolutely,” Athena replied with a warm smile.

Tyler slipped an arm around Athena’s waist, visibly pleased. He hoped she’d make more friends—anything to keep her mind off Kerwin.

Kerwin’s situation was a mess. All Tyler had uncovered so far was that Marlon was behind it. And with Marlon’s influence—combined with the Olson family’s backing—it would take more than just determination to go up against them. Even Tyler found the prospect daunting; he could only hope Athena wouldn’t do anything reckless.

Maggie leaned in, her voice barely above a whisper in Athena’s ear.

“It’s been years, but I never thought you’d stoop to this—latching onto a man just to get by. I wonder if Kerwin, wherever he is, can rest in peace knowing what you’ve become.”

She twisted the knife with practiced ease, but Athena was ready for her.

“You’re about to be a married woman, Ms. Olson. Isn’t it a bit inappropriate to keep pining for someone from the past?”

The smile froze on Maggie’s lips, her mouth tightening at the edges.

Athena studied her wine glass, her words cold and cutting.

“With Marlon’s temperament, I doubt he’d appreciate his fiancée obsessing over another man. And from what I hear, you don’t have much standing in the Olson family. Abner barely seems to notice you.”

Athena, seizing the opportunity, decided to probe for information. “Is Marlon the only one left in the Keller family? Tyler mentioned he sent the rest of his relatives away.”

Carol seemed surprised by Athena’s curiosity but slipped easily into gossip. “Sent away? That’s putting it mildly. Most of them are under house arrest, really. The Keller family’s infighting was brutal—you wouldn’t believe how many assassination attempts Marlon survived. He did have a sister, you know. She was kidnapped as a baby, and rumor has it Marlon was partly to blame. If he cares about anyone, it’s probably that missing sister. He’s still searching for her, even now.”

Athena’s eyes gleamed with new understanding. She pressed on, “Besides Marlon, who holds the most sway in the Keller family?”

“Grandma Edith. She practically raised Marlon, but she’s been ill lately. Losing her granddaughter is her biggest regret. Having Maggie around seems to have improved her health a little, though. That’s why Marlon treats Maggie so well—Maggie really knows how to win over the elders.”

So it wasn’t just gratitude—Grandma Edith relied on Maggie, and Marlon indulged her for that reason.

No wonder a man so indifferent to women would elevate Maggie to such importance.