Divorced CEO's Forgotten Wife Strikes Back (Riley and Bryce) novel Chapter 12

**Dreams Refuse Gravity**
by Leo Arden Knox

Riley’s gaze was locked onto Bryce, her heart pounding in her chest, a tumultuous mix of disbelief and anger swirling within her. How could he utter such words, so brazenly, without a hint of remorse? It was as if he had donned a mask of indifference, completely unfazed by the gravity of their situation.

Bryce’s audacity was a revelation, one that cut deeper than she had ever anticipated.

“If you care about Bella so much, why didn’t you just divorce me when she returned?” Riley’s voice was calm, yet each word sliced through the air like a blade.

Bryce’s expression faltered for a brief moment, confusion flickering across his face. “What do you mean?”

“If you had truly chosen Bella over me, you could have told me. You could have divorced me then, and I wouldn’t have stood in your way. Now, look where we are—her reputation is on the line because of your cowardice,” Riley replied, her tone unwavering but filled with underlying fury.

The irritation on Bryce’s face morphed into something darker. “I’m not divorcing you. I made a vow when we married, and I’ve held onto that promise. Riley, I swore I would never betray you.”

His words landed on her like a cruel jest, sharp and mocking, echoing in her mind long after he had spoken.

“Betray me?” she echoed, her voice rising in pitch, a mix of incredulity and fury. “You think you’ve stayed married out of some noble commitment? No, Bryce, you remained because you feared being labeled the man who abandoned the wife who helped him build his empire. You wanted both Bella and your precious reputation intact.”

Riley’s heart raced as she continued, “And if that vow meant anything to you at all, how could you stand by while your friends tore me apart, humiliated me at every turn? How could you skip picking up my parents’ ashes just because Bella’s mother twisted her ankle? My parents, Bryce! Because of your selfishness, I couldn’t even bring them home for a proper farewell!” Her voice cracked, raw with the weight of her pain.

Bryce’s complexion drained of color, her words striking a nerve that he could no longer ignore. For what felt like an eternity, silence enveloped them, the air thick with unspoken truths and accusations.

Finally, he spoke, his tone softer, almost vulnerable. “I know you’ve endured so much. I messed up, Riley. How about this? This weekend, I’ll go with you to pay respects to your parents. I owe them an apology for not being there when you brought their ashes home.”

Riley’s eyes narrowed as she scrutinized his olive branch, recognizing it for what it was—a desperate attempt to placate her.

With their divorce looming just weeks away, she had no desire for his hollow gestures. Yet, the thought of her parents not receiving an apology gnawed at her conscience.

“Fine,” she replied curtly, her voice devoid of warmth.

But when the weekend rolled around, Bryce once again failed to keep his word.

“I’m really sorry, but something urgent came up at the company. I have a crucial meeting,” he said over the phone, the guilt evident in his tone. “I can’t make it to the memorial. I promise, next time.”

“I understand,” Riley said, her voice flat as she hung up, the weight of disappointment settling heavily on her shoulders.

This time, anger eluded her; she was too exhausted to feel anything.

Disappointment, too, was fading into the background, a dull ache she had grown accustomed to.

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