Divorced CEO's Forgotten Wife Strikes Back (Riley and Bryce) novel Chapter 17

**TITLE: Dreams Refuse Gravity by Leo Arden Knox**

**Chapter 17: At the Funeral Home**

Family. This single word had once been a beacon of hope for Riley, a concept she cherished with every fiber of her being.

Years ago, she had tied the knot with Bryce, dreaming of rekindling that elusive feeling of belonging, of warmth, of a true family. Yet, as the years unfurled, it became painfully clear that he was incapable of providing her with that sanctuary she so desperately sought. Instead of solace, he had gifted her a cascade of disappointments that weighed heavily on her heart.

A cold laugh escaped Riley’s lips, a hollow sound that echoed her feelings of disillusionment. “If I hadn’t saved Sebastian today, would you still be clamoring for my return to the company?” she inquired, her tone laced with a biting sarcasm.

Bryce let out a weary sigh, relief flickering in his eyes as he replied, “You’re the boss lady. The door’s always open for you.”

“Then can I make a grand announcement at the company that I’m the boss lady?” she shot back, her eyebrow arching in challenge.

Bryce fell into a contemplative silence, the weight of her words hanging in the air. After a moment that felt like an eternity, he finally responded, “We had agreed to keep our marriage under wraps for now and to reveal it when the moment is right.”

“Because if we spill the beans now, everyone will know about your affair during our marriage, right? The entire company is aware that Bella is your secret love, but no one knows we are married,” she stated bluntly, her voice unwavering.

Annoyance flickered across Bryce’s face, his frustration palpable. “Do you have to complicate things for me like this?” he snapped, his patience wearing thin.

“Complicate? Please! I’m actually making it simpler. I’m not coming back,” she retorted, her voice rising with conviction. “And at the equestrian center, I already told Sebastian that if he wants to express his gratitude, he can contribute to building a school for underprivileged children. So don’t even think about using me to secure that investment!”

Bryce’s anger simmered to a boiling point, and he chose to ignore her for the remainder of the night, the tension thick enough to cut with a knife.

The following day, Riley made her way to Lara’s company, her mind swirling with thoughts of the previous night’s confrontation. They struck a deal—Riley would officially join the team once her parents’ ashes were laid to rest back in their hometown.

During lunch, as Riley scrolled through Claire’s social media, a particular photo caught her eye.

In the image, a pair of hands—one cradling a bowl of steaming soup and the other holding a spoon laden with the fragrant liquid—stood out. The caption read: [My brother made soup for his future wife. It smells so good!]

A wave of realization washed over Riley as she stared at the picture, connecting the dots to Bryce’s earlier antics in the kitchen that morning. Memories flooded back of a time when she had been bedridden with a fever of 104°F, so sick she could barely lift her head from the pillow. In that moment of vulnerability, Bryce had merely brushed her off, burdened by work and leaving her to fend for herself.

“Thanks, but no thanks. I already told him that if he truly wants to show his appreciation, contributing to build a primary school for underprivileged kids would suffice,” Riley replied firmly, her resolve unyielding as she marched over to her car, opened the door, and slid inside.

Half an hour later, she arrived at the funeral home, her heart heavy with grief. Standing before the urn that held her parents’ ashes, she noticed that it was draped in a national flag, a poignant symbol of their lives.

“Mom, Dad, I once thought Bryce owed you an apology. I wanted him to come here, to pay his respects and say he was sorry. But… it doesn’t matter now, does it?” she whispered, her voice barely above a murmur.

The silence that enveloped her was deafening, a stark reminder of the void left in her life. She clasped her hands in prayer, bowing her head deeply in reverence for her parents.

“Just wait a little longer. I’ll bring you back to our hometown soon,” Riley promised softly to the urn, her heart aching with unfulfilled promises.

Suddenly, a voice broke through her thoughts. “Are you leaving this place?”

She turned, startled, her mind racing as she processed the unexpected interruption.