Dear Ex-wife Marry Me novel (Maja) novel Chapter 1338

Tyler's instinct kicked in at the moment he got the assignment from Ian—not to let anyone within his circle slip by unnoticed.

His gaze casually swept over Phelps's face, catching a full view only when the man turned his head slightly.

Nothing on his right ear.

He exhaled in relief. Lately, whenever he was around Phelps, something felt off.

Phelps claimed that the stress of surgery sometimes drove him to smoke a cigarette, but now, even without the scalpel in hand, he was puffing away like a seasoned pro.

Phelps seemed oblivious to Tyler's prying eyes, leisurely finishing his cigarette and flicking the butt into a nearby trash can.

"Tyler, did you use the melatonin I gave you?"

"Not yet. Been up all night writing the script; can't afford to sleep too deep. Might need to burn the midnight oil if inspiration strikes. But tonight, the script's done, I'll use it when I get home."

"Good, remember to get some rest."

Phelps's kindness had a different flavor than Eric's. If Eric was like a gentle spring brook, Phelps was the comforting warmth of a hearth.

Tyler had been swamped with his script-writing and now felt the weariness creeping in. Yet tonight, he had plans for a round of drinks.

He couldn't afford downtime; it would only bring back memories of Fitch. Just seeing that black and white profile picture made him feel suffocated.

He patted Phelps on the shoulder and strode away with a purpose.

Phelps stood there, watching his departure, an eyebrow arched ever so slightly.

After a riotous time at the bar, Tyler returned to his villa. He glanced at the bottle of melatonin on his nightstand.

Taking one pill out, he was about to swallow it when a spark of recollection flashed through his mind.

Memories surged back to a few years ago, when Ian was being pressured by his family to marry.

He hang around with a group of friends in a bar and the topic went to their future marriage and prospective brides.

Tyler, ever the playboy, boasted to others.

"See this mole on the tip of my nose? It’s a wanderer’s mole. I'm not cut out for marriage. Plus, no one in my family will press me on it. I'm destined to have my fun with the pretty ladies for life."

But now, struck by the memory, he froze.

Back then, he'd taken it as a mere joke and hadn’t bothered to inspect Phelps's ear closely.

And today, Phelps's earlobe was decidedly unmarked.

Was it really just a jest?

Though a rogue, Tyler was cautious by nature.

He put the pill back in the bottle and furrowed.

After a while, he took the bottle downstairs and handed it to a friend from another hospital to get it tested.

Tyler's complexion was ashen as he gave his instructions, dreading the possibility that his suspicions might be true.

Such a truth was too horrifying to face, and he was nowhere near ready to accept it.