Dear Ex-wife, Marry Me novel Chapter 1696

After Felix left the hotel, his phone buzzed with a call from Nathan.

"Hey Felix, where you at? You didn't crash at your place last night?"

"Yep."

Felix flicked his lighter and lit up a cigarette, expertly exhaling rings of smoke. "How'd you know I didn't make it home?"

"Well, I swung by your pad last night. I brought some burgers for late-night grub, but you were MIA, so I just wolfed it down solo. Did you finally seal the deal with that heiress you've been chasing? The Miller Group's golden girl?"

Nathan was in the loop about Felix's latest conquest, the sole heiress of the affluent Miller Group. Hooking up with her could be a game changer - it could mean getting his foot in the door of a fortune.

The CEO of the Miller Group was known for doting on his only child, the apple of his eye.

"I didn't."

Felix was blunt, a glance at the sky told him it was time to wrap this up. "We'll talk when I get back."

It was Saturday, and Nathan had the day off, so he lingered at home waiting for Felix.

Felix arrived swiftly, bumping into Nathan by the dumpsters. Nathan was tossing out the trash, navigating around puddles of filthy water that demanded careful stepping to avoid.

His face lit up at the sight of Felix.

"Coming straight from the hotel, huh? Spill it, man, did you really resist the temptation? You've got some serious willpower if you passed up a night with Miss Miller. You told me she wasn't exactly the shy type."

"She's not," Felix admitted, recalling Carol's forward advances with a visible distaste.

Nathan's face soured with envy. "Man, I swear, if I had your looks, I'd be juggling girlfriends left and right."

Nathan was your average Joe, standing at five foot nine, the epitome of ordinary. But he was Felix's best bud - the brother he never had.

They strolled to Nathan's place in the alley, a humble, snug home, but it was his - no rent like Felix had to deal with.

Felix had crashed at Nathan's before and knew the place well.

In the yard, Listina, Nathan's sister, sat in a wheelchair, her legs atrophied since childhood.

Nathan had been scraping by for years trying to afford her treatments, but it was clear her condition was irreversible. The siblings, like Felix, had no other kin, though Nathan had a fiancée in the hospital. He worked tirelessly to cover Listina's medical bills.

Felix knew Listina well. Before her hospital days, they'd all hang out together, sharing noodles, cheap beer on chilly evenings, skewers on the sidewalk, cursing Greenfield for crushing their dreams.

One snowy night, Listina had knitted Felix a scarf. They were broke but happy, their modest earnings enough to keep them afloat, luxury brands out of reach.

Receiving the scarf, Felix had seen Nathan turn green with envy, hugging Listina and professing his intent to marry her.