Divorced CEO's Forgotten Wife Strikes Back (Riley and Bryce) novel Chapter 101

**TITLE: Dreams Refuse Gravity by Leo Arden Knox**
**Chapter 101: Resolve**

**Lucky Draw**

A deep furrow creased Bryce’s brow as he faced Kieran. “Kieran, even if we’re friends, you can’t just say things like that!” His voice held a mix of frustration and disbelief, as if he were trying to grasp the absurdity of the situation.

“What? I’m just being honest here,” Kieran shot back, his tone brimming with conviction. “You should’ve tossed those rings ages ago. You ought to be out shopping for new ones with Bella right now!” His words hung in the air, heavy with implications.

“Bella and I are just friends,” Bryce asserted, his voice firm but a hint of uncertainty flickered in his eyes.

“Oh, come on! You can say that around other people, but with just the three of us here, it’s practically a slap in Bella’s face!” Kieran exclaimed, his frustration palpable.

Bryce’s gaze shifted, landing on Bella, who sat quietly, her expression a mixture of discomfort and understanding.

Bella forced a strained smile, her eyes betraying a deeper emotion. “That’s Bryce and Riley’s wedding ring. They were married for three years before things fell apart. It’s only natural he would cling to it,” she explained, her voice softening as she continued, “Besides, Bryce and I really are… just friends.”

“Just friends? Give me a break,” Kieran scoffed, rolling his eyes dramatically. “If you hadn’t gone abroad back then, and if Riley hadn’t swooped in, Bryce would never have ended up with her. His heart has always belonged to you!”

“Really?” Bella’s voice was barely above a whisper, her eyes locking onto Bryce’s with an intensity that made his heart race.

Bryce felt a wave of confusion wash over him. He had genuinely believed that Bella was the only one who had ever held a place in his heart. Even after her return, he had gone out of his way to repay her for saving his life, feeling indebted to her in ways he couldn’t fully articulate. Yet, in recent days, his mind kept drifting back to those fleeting moments he had shared with Riley, especially her enigmatic words at the airport.

Was it really Riley who saved me that time?

“Bryce, why are you zoning out? Bella’s waiting for your answer,” Kieran prodded, snapping him back to reality.

Bryce opened his mouth to respond, but the words eluded him, leaving him momentarily speechless.

Bella’s eyes flickered with a hint of impatience before she said, “Whatever, let’s just drop it. But if I hadn’t left the country back then, we wouldn’t have lost those three years.”

“Bella, it’s just that my divorce is still fresh, so…” Bryce began, but his voice trailed off, the weight of his emotions pressing down on him.

“I get it,” Bella replied, her tone shifting to one of understanding. “Plus, my airline just granted me this extended break. Remember that offshore development in Carmel I mentioned? I’m free now, so I can take you there and introduce you to my mom’s family. They’re involved in that island project too.”

Bryce felt a spark of excitement ignite within him. “Bella, thanks for this,” he said, genuine gratitude spilling from his lips.

“Come on, you don’t have to thank me,” Bella replied, her smile brightening her features. She wanted to show him that if Riley could connect him with opportunities, she could do it even better.

Riley doesn’t even deserve to be compared to me.

Riley’s finger traced over Samuel’s name as she examined her parents’ death certificates alongside Samuel’s missing person report from the military.

“Rye, are you still thinking about Samuel?” Vince asked gently, his curiosity piqued. He had never met Samuel, as he had already been missing when he enlisted, but he had seen photographs.

“Yes,” Riley replied, her voice barely above a whisper. “I will find him, no matter what.” Her determination was fierce, igniting a fire within her.

“I’ll help track him down,” Vince offered earnestly, his eyes reflecting a sincerity that warmed Riley’s heart.

Riley met his gaze, a soft smile breaking through her resolve. “Samuel would be thrilled to know I have someone like you on my team. He’d totally claim you as his brother.”

Vince’s expression faltered, a frown creasing his brow.

Brother?

He had always played the role of her younger brother, getting closer to her than anyone else. But now, a nagging fear crept in—would he forever remain just that?

“What if I don’t want to be a brother?” he blurted out, the words escaping before he could catch them.