Divorced CEO's Forgotten Wife Strikes Back (Riley and Bryce) novel Chapter 159

**TITLE: Dreams Refuse Gravity**

**by Leo Arden Knox**

**Chapter 159: Private Investigator Garrett Doyle**

The bodyguard hesitated, momentarily taken aback by the unexpected inquiry, before responding with a firm conviction, “Ms. Anderson would never abandon you, sir. She put her life on the line for you. That has to carry some weight.”

Sebastian’s gaze flickered, a mixture of emotions swirling within him.

Indeed, she had placed herself directly in harm’s way. For him.

Yet, a darker thought began to whisper in the corners of his mind, insidious and cold.

But what if she had been assigned to someone else? Would her bravery have remained the same?

The dawn of a new day arrived, and Riley stirred from her slumber, her eyes fluttering open to the sight of Sebastian slumped beside her hospital bed, lost in sleep.

Her gaze lingered on his face, which appeared strikingly serene even in repose.

His brows were slightly knit together, and the long lashes cast delicate shadows beneath his eyes. There was a hint of tension etched into his features, as though he were wrestling with some unspoken worry even in his dreams.

Without a second thought, Riley reached out, her fingers instinctively wanting to smooth the crease that marred his brow.

But just as her fingertips were about to brush against his skin, his eyes snapped open, wide and alert.

In an instant, he grasped her wrist, reflexes kicking in, only to realize the nature of his actions. He released her immediately, his expression shifting to one of alarm.

“Sorry,” he murmured, his voice thick with sleep. “Did I hurt you?”

“I’m fine. It was my fault for waking you,” she reassured him, a soft smile breaking through. “When did you arrive?”

“This morning. Not too long ago,” he replied, still shaking off the remnants of sleep.

A frown creased her forehead. “So, you didn’t sleep at all last night, did you?”

If he had just come and already succumbed to sleep at her side, it was clear he was running on empty.

Sebastian offered a noncommittal hum, refraining from divulging the exhausting night he had spent darting between Carmel and Washington, working to dismantle the lingering threads of his father’s influence.

“How are you feeling? Did you get enough rest? Is your arm still hurting?” he asked, genuine concern lacing his words.

“I’m okay. I slept well enough. The pain is manageable,” Riley replied, her voice steady.

Determined to maintain a sense of normalcy, she sat up to freshen up, but Sebastian, with a gentle insistence, swept her into his arms, carrying her toward the bathroom.

“Sebastian! What are you doing? I can walk perfectly fine!” she protested, a mix of surprise and amusement dancing in her eyes.

“You’re injured. It’s my responsibility to help you,” he stated firmly, placing her down softly in front of the sink. Without hesitation, he took her toothbrush, uncapped the toothpaste, and squeezed a neat line across the bristles, a gesture both tender and oddly domestic.

Riley couldn’t help but think that if she hadn’t stopped him, he might have attempted to brush her teeth for her as well.

In a bustling downtown café, Bella found herself seated across from a man in his thirties, sharp-featured and exuding an air of quiet amusement.

“So, you’re the one Bryce hired to dig into what happened eight years ago?” she inquired, her voice steady despite the tension coiling in her stomach.

“That’s correct,” the man replied smoothly. “Garrett Doyle. Private investigator. Bryce and I go way back—same hometown. Just call me Garrett.”

He leaned back in his chair, a slow grin spreading across his face, his eyes glinting with a mix of charm and something sharper beneath the surface.

“I’ll be honest—I didn’t think you were the type to take credit for someone else’s actions. But Bryce? He genuinely believes you saved his life.”

Bella felt her heart race, tension knotting in her chest.

She had already suspected he might have unearthed the truth, but hearing it articulated so plainly made her pulse quicken.

“Do you have any proof?” she pressed, her voice barely above a whisper.

“I wouldn’t have mentioned it if I didn’t,” Garrett replied, his tone matter-of-fact. “I tracked down the woman Riley left behind that day—right after she pulled Mr. Murphy from the water.”

Bella’s stomach plummeted. The weight of the truth bore down on her, and she knew she could no longer deny it.

“She stayed until the ambulance arrived. She said Riley jumped in without a moment’s hesitation, dragged him out, performed CPR, and called 911. Then, Riley asked that woman to stay with him because she had to leave for an urgent mission.”

He let the words linger in the air for a heartbeat, then continued, “She remembers everything. Claimed she had never witnessed anyone so fearless. And more importantly…”