Divorced CEO's Forgotten Wife Strikes Back (Riley and Bryce) novel Chapter 126

**TITLE: Dreams Refuse Gravity by Leo Arden Knox**
**Chapter 126: Put an End to This**

Riley’s expression darkened, her brow furrowing deeply as she processed the scene unfolding before her. Wren, ever the instigator, turned her attention to Bryce, who stood a mere stone’s throw away, flanked by Bella. With a playful lilt in her voice, she teased, “Hey, Mr. Murphy! Look who’s graced us with her presence. You mentioned wanting to hash things out with her face-to-face, right? Well, the moment has arrived!”

Bryce’s body tensed at Wren’s words, and he shot her a look that was a mix of confusion and irritation before his gaze shifted reluctantly to Riley.

Bella leaned in closer, her voice a soft whisper meant only for him. “Come on, Bryce. Don’t tell me you’re actually thinking of backing out now. If you really don’t want to go through with it, I won’t push you. But if you keep holding onto those old rings, you know people will start to talk. It’ll only make everything more uncomfortable.”

Bryce’s eyes locked onto Bella’s, the weight of her words settling heavily on him.

Yes, he and Riley were officially divorced. It was time to focus on Bella, to look forward and not back.

“I’m not backing out!” he declared, determination igniting his spirit. He reached into his pocket, retrieved the pair of wedding rings, and strode purposefully towards Riley.

As he approached her, he spoke with a gravity that matched the moment, “Riley, I think it’s time we put an end to this once and for all.”

Riley regarded him with a chilling gaze, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “I thought we already did that.”

Bryce extended his hand, revealing the two cheap wedding rings nestled in his palm, their metallic surfaces dull and unremarkable. “You left these on the nightstand when we got divorced. I believe it’s time to dispose of them.”

Riley’s eyes fixated on the rings, memories flooding back. They were such trivial pieces, purchased from a flea market, their worth a mere fraction of what love was supposed to symbolize. Back then, she had been so naïve, convinced that as long as he loved her, the price tag didn’t matter.

She had clung to his promise, “I’ll buy you a better ring when I make money,” believing in the sincerity behind his words. But reality had proven harsh; the truth was, a man who opts for a cheap ring from a market stall as a wedding band doesn’t truly value the commitment.

Even when Bryce eventually found success and wealth, the beautiful ring he bought was for Bella, not for her.

Riley’s gaze drifted from the rings to the striking emerald ring that adorned Bella’s finger. The green stone gleamed with a brilliance that seemed to mock her, a vivid reminder of everything she had lost.

“Riley, why are you staring at Bella’s ring? No matter how beautiful it is, it doesn’t belong to you,” Wren sneered, her voice laced with malice.

Sebastian, standing nearby, shot Wren a glance that was both lazy and dismissive. “You really do talk too much,” he said, his tone cool and unbothered.

A shiver ran down Wren’s spine, the memory of Sebastian’s grip on her neck flashing back, a reminder of the power he wielded.

Riley turned her focus to Sebastian, her tone firm. “This is my business, and I will handle it.”

Then, pivoting sharply to Wren, her voice turned sharp as a blade. “What makes you think that ring isn’t mine? Bryce bought it for Bella in secret while we were still married. I have every right to reclaim what’s rightfully mine.”

Caught off guard, Wren faltered. The crowd around them began to murmur, their gazes shifting towards Bryce and Bella, their perceptions altering as the truth began to unfold.

Bryce’s hand trembled, the rings nearly slipping from his grasp, as he felt the weight of the accusations.

Bella’s face hardened, her voice rising defensively. “How can you claim that ring is yours? It was bought with the money Bryce earned from his business! If you were half as capable, you’d buy your own instead of trying to snatch what others have worked hard for!”

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