Divorced CEO's Forgotten Wife Strikes Back (Riley and Bryce) novel Chapter 106

**TITLE: Dreams Refuse Gravity by Leo Arden Knox**
**Chapter 106: A Debt Denied**

**Lucky Draw**

Riley shot a piercing glance at Bryce, her eyes like ice daggers. “Mr. Murphy,” she said, her tone frigid, “given the current state of our relationship, I think referring to me as ‘Ms. Anderson’ would be far more fitting.”

Bryce felt a jolt of surprise at her icy demeanor, an unexpected wave of discomfort flashing across his features. It was as if her words had struck him like a cold wind, leaving him momentarily speechless.

He pressed his lips into a tight line, gathering his thoughts before speaking again. “I came here to apologize for the incident at the airport. I had no idea your parents were martyrs. If I had known, I would have been there for you. I would have stopped Bella before she even reached the airport.”

But instead of softening her heart, his apology only fueled Riley’s disdain. “Oh, so you and Bella are on the same wavelength? If my parents weren’t martyrs, would it have been acceptable to disregard their memory, to trample on their ashes?”

Bryce’s composure faltered, his voice catching in his throat as he struggled to respond. “I…” he stammered, unsure of how to navigate the emotional minefield she had laid before him.

“If that’s all you have to offer, you can keep it. I’m done with this conversation,” Riley snapped, turning sharply on her heel, ready to walk away.

But Bryce, driven by a mix of desperation and determination, lunged forward, blocking her path. “Wait,” he insisted, his eyes locking onto hers with an intensity that was hard to ignore. “Tell me something. What did you mean back at the airport? That you pulled me out of the river?”

Riley met his gaze with equal intensity, her voice as cold and unyielding as steel. “So now I can’t even mention what I did? Bryce, if I hadn’t dragged you out of that river, do you honestly believe you’d be standing here right now, giving me grief?”

Without her intervention, he would have likely become nothing more than a ghost, lost to the depths of the water.

Bryce’s expression shifted, confusion and disbelief swirling within him. “How do you even know about me falling into the river and getting hurt? Are you saying this just to make me believe you’re my savior?”

Riley froze, caught off guard by his insinuation. She hadn’t anticipated him to twist her actions in such a way.

In that moment, a realization washed over her—worse than someone who failed to express gratitude was someone who refused to acknowledge their debts. From the instant she recognized him as the man she had rescued, she had made a conscious choice not to wield that knowledge against him. She had kept her silence for all these years, burying the truth deep within her.

If it hadn’t been for that chaotic scene at the airport, she would have likely taken that secret to her grave, never expecting to find herself in this confrontation.

Yet here he was, attempting to turn the narrative as if she were the one playing mind games.

“So you think I’m lying?” Riley scoffed, a bitter laugh escaping her lips, disbelief evident in her tone.

Bryce’s brow furrowed, tension radiating from him. “Aren’t you? The person who saved me wasn’t you. You said those things to make me feel guilty, to mess with my mind!”

She had been the one to pull him from the river. What on earth did Bella have to do with this?

“I came here seeking the truth,” Bryce said, his voice heavy with accusation, “Don’t try to manipulate me with this nonsense.”

“You’re saying Bella saved you?” Riley narrowed her eyes, scrutinizing him closely.

“Exactly,” Bryce replied, his tone resolute. “You didn’t see this coming, did you? I’ve known for a long time who my real savior is. So drop the act, Riley. Stop spinning these ridiculous lies.”

Riley let out a sharp, incredulous laugh. “Bryce, who’s the ridiculous one here?”

She had risked her life that night, diving into the raging river to pull him to safety. And now, he was convinced that Bella had been the one to rescue him.

“You’re the one who’s pathetic,” a voice interjected, dripping with disdain. “Riley, I never thought you’d stoop so low as to claim someone else’s heroics. Shameless.”

Riley turned to confront the source of the voice. Wren strode onto the small balcony, Bella trailing closely behind her, an air of superiority surrounding them.

Ignoring Wren completely, Riley’s gaze zeroed in on Bella, her focus unwavering. “So, you’re the one who told Bryce that you pulled him out of that river?”