Divorced CEO's Forgotten Wife Strikes Back (Riley and Bryce) novel Chapter 147

**Dreams Refuse Gravity by Leo Arden Knox**
**Chapter 147: A Real Relationship**

“Yes,” Sebastian replied, his voice unwavering and resolute.

Riley took a moment, nodding slowly as she processed the weight of their decision. “Alright, but we need to establish some ground rules,” she said, her tone serious. “First and foremost, if things don’t work out down the line, I want us to part ways on good terms. No bitterness, no animosity.”

“Agreed,” Sebastian affirmed, feeling a sense of relief wash over him.

“Secondly,” she continued, her eyes locking onto his with an intensity that made his heart race, “if you ever find yourself falling for someone else, even while we’re still together, I expect you to be honest with me. No hiding, no pretending. I won’t cling to you.”

The thought of betrayal sent a shiver down her spine, reminding her of the chaos she had endured with Bryce. She had no desire to revisit that tumultuous chapter of her life.

Sebastian’s brow furrowed slightly. The notion of loving anyone else felt foreign to him; Riley was the only one who occupied his heart. Yet, he met her gaze with sincerity and said simply, “Alright.”

“And one last thing,” Riley said, her voice steady as she leaned in closer, “and this is the most important rule. While we’re together, there can be no lies. If there’s deception, there can be no trust.”

Sebastian felt a chill run through him as her words settled in, each one purposeful and heavy. “If I ever find out you’ve lied to me, I will walk away without a second thought,” she warned, her expression fierce.

The thought of losing her sent a pang of dread through Sebastian. He envisioned that day as a descent into a darkness he couldn’t bear to imagine.

“I promise I won’t lie to you,” he assured her, his voice unwavering and filled with conviction. “From this moment forward, if you ask me anything, I will always respond with the truth. No deception whatsoever.”

His declaration felt like a solemn vow, a promise etched into the fabric of their relationship.

“Then let’s do this,” Riley said, a flicker of hope igniting in her chest.

As she contemplated her willingness to defend him, even against his father, she realized that perhaps her feelings for Sebastian were indeed something special. When he had questioned her about the truth of her words, she had denied any falsehood without hesitation, a testament to the growing bond between them.

In that moment, she recognized how deeply she cared for him. The thought of seeing disappointment etched on his face was unbearable.

From the very first encounter, when she had instinctively labeled Sebastian as dangerous, to the quiet moments they had shared, her admiration for him had blossomed into something more profound. There were times when his mere presence sent her heart racing, igniting a warmth within her that she could no longer ignore.

So perhaps, just perhaps, she truly liked him, even if it was just a little. Instead of resisting these feelings, maybe it was time to embrace them fully.

And the moment Riley uttered her agreement, a radiant smile broke across Sebastian’s face, illuminating his features in a way that took her breath away.

The glitch that had allowed that particular news segment to play was later dismissed by the event organizers as a mere technical error, yet Bella couldn’t shake the feeling that it was far too coincidental.

“That news brought back memories of the fire,” Bella admitted softly, her gaze dropping to the floor. “I witnessed someone burn to death right before my eyes. I tried to save them, but I couldn’t…” Her voice trembled as she spoke the word “burned,” her hands shaking with the weight of the memory.

Bryce instinctively took her hands in his, grounding her in the present. “I had no idea you went through something so traumatic,” he said, his heart aching for her.

“It’s okay,” Bella replied, a hint of sadness in her eyes. “After the fire, I sought counseling. I thought I had moved past it, but I guess it still lingers in the shadows.”

“No wonder you never mentioned it before,” Bryce said, his voice filled with understanding. “If that clip hadn’t aired by accident, I would have never known that my girlfriend was a firefighting hero. You’re truly incredible, and I can’t help but feel like I might not measure up.”

A flicker of unease crossed Bella’s face. “Don’t say that. The island conference didn’t go as planned, but the deal isn’t dead yet. Tomorrow, we’re visiting the Anderson Group. With your talent and Wren’s assistance, I have no doubt you’ll land the project.”

The Anderson family was a crucial player in the island development initiative, and as long as they were willing to support him, Bryce still had a legitimate shot at success.

“There are plenty of drone experts out there,” Bella added confidently. “Upgrading anti-jamming technology isn’t something only Riley can accomplish. Once we secure the project, we can find someone else to handle the tech—it’s no big deal.”