Divorced CEO's Forgotten Wife Strikes Back (Riley and Bryce) novel Chapter 135

**TITLE: Dreams Refuse Gravity by Leo Arden Knox 135**
**CONTENT:**
**Chapter 135: Deal**

Riley locked her gaze with his, her tone unwavering. “No.”

“Is it because you don’t love me?” His voice wavered, a flicker of vulnerability surfacing in his eyes, betraying a hurt that cut deeper than she had anticipated.

“That’s exactly it,” she replied, her tone steady. “I don’t harbor those kinds of feelings for you, Mr. Torres. As I’ve mentioned before, I just emerged from a divorce. There are still countless things I wish to accomplish, and diving into a new relationship isn’t on my agenda right now.”

She cast a brief glance at the towel that shielded his head, then added, “You should really dry your hair yourself.”

Her fingers lingered at the edges of the towel, brushing against his damp hair. But before she could retract her hands, Sebastian moved with unexpected swiftness, capturing her hands beneath his.

“I won’t obstruct your path,” he murmured, his voice low and earnest. “But I can be your sword and your shield. I will walk with you through every challenge that life throws our way. I would stake my life on yours. No matter the trials ahead, I will never abandon you, never betray you.”

Riley felt a jolt of surprise at his words. They echoed in her mind, stirring emotions she had long buried. These were the very sentiments she had once yearned to hear from someone who truly understood her heart. And here was Sebastian, recalling every nuance of her past hopes.

Yet, his voice softened again, tinged with a hint of self-doubt. “Or is it that I’m just that terrible? So utterly awful that no matter what I do, you could never come to love me?”

“No!” Riley exclaimed, a wave of guilt crashing over her.

His eyes, previously clouded with uncertainty, sparkled with a glimmer of hope. “So, you will fall in love with me?”

Riley cleared her throat, feeling the weight of the moment. “What I meant to say is… you’re not a bad person.”

If he were truly terrible, he wouldn’t have shown up at her parents’ funeral, nor would he have stood resolutely by her side as they laid them to rest in the Martyrs’ Cemetery.

“And today, you even went into the ocean to save that child,” she added softly. “A truly horrible person wouldn’t have done that.”

Sebastian’s smile faded, replaced by a more somber expression. His voice turned reflective, almost wistful. “I only acted because you did. Until today, I never really believed life held much value. But because of you…”

He gently grasped her hand, bringing it to his cheek, his whisper barely audible. “Because of you, I was willing to change. Willing to strive to be a better person.”

In that moment, she radiated a purity that seemed untouchable, as if no shadow or blemish could ever mar her essence.

And he, in stark contrast, felt engulfed by darkness. Despite his outward charm, he was painfully aware of the corruption that lay at his core.

In the depths of his mind, he resolved that if she didn’t fall for him, he would find a way to make her.

*****

In the banquet hall, Bryce found himself engaged in discussions with government officials and affluent local businessmen from Carmel. Yet, his thoughts kept drifting, replaying the vivid image of Riley plunging into the sea to rescue the child.

She had acted with such decisiveness, without a moment’s hesitation. How many people in the world possessed that kind of courage?

Even though he had witnessed the child tumble into the water and felt an instinctive urge to dive in, Bryce couldn’t shake the nagging question—would he have actually jumped in to save the child, or would he have hesitated?

When he pondered that, he realized that hesitation seemed far more likely.

The mere thought unsettled him.

Could it be that Riley spoke the truth? With her swimming prowess and sheer bravery, if she had seen him struggling in the river, she undoubtedly would have leaped in to save him.

But if Riley wasn’t lying… then did that mean Bella had been the one to deceive?