Divorced CEO's Forgotten Wife Strikes Back (Riley and Bryce) novel Chapter 170

**Dreams Refuse Gravity by Leo Arden Knox**
**Chapter 170: Care More About You**

Sebastian pressed his lips together in a firm line, his gaze dropping to his hands, which trembled slightly in his lap. The sight of his quivering fingers only amplified the storm of emotions swirling within him.

“Yeah, my hands are shaking,” he murmured, his voice barely rising above a whisper, as if he were afraid the admission might attract unwanted attention.

The source of his anxiety was unmistakable—a deep, gnawing fear that gripped his heart. It was the fear that Riley might find herself in peril during the rescue mission, and the agonizing thought that he wouldn’t be there to protect her only intensified his distress. It was as if that fear spread through him like wildfire, consuming every ounce of rational thought and leaving only raw emotion in its wake.

“So, I really love her that much,” he whispered, the words escaping his lips like fragile leaves caught in a breeze, barely audible yet profoundly impactful.

Chris, who had been standing nearby, caught the weight of Sebastian’s confession. The revelation struck him like a bolt of lightning. He had sensed Sebastian’s deeper feelings for Riley in the way he looked at her, the way his voice softened whenever her name was mentioned. But hearing him vocalize his love was an entirely different matter, one that left Chris momentarily speechless.

And what about Wren? Chris’s gaze flickered toward his niece, who was standing a few paces away. Her expression was a mixture of frustration and jealousy, her teeth clenched tightly, and her face twisted in a way that made it clear she was not pleased.

“Why?” she thought bitterly. “I lost an eye and still couldn’t win his heart. Yet, Riley gets to have Sebastian without sacrificing a thing! No way! I’m not going to stand for it!”

—

Two helicopters roared to life, taking off in quick succession, their destinations set for the accident site on the island. But as they approached, the winds began to howl, fierce and unpredictable, threatening to turn their mission into chaos. One miscalculated move could lead to catastrophe.

Bella, gripping the controls of her helicopter, felt cold sweat trickle down her palms, the reality of the situation pressing down on her like a heavy weight.

She was no novice; she had accumulated plenty of flight experience over the years. Sure, she was merely the co-pilot, and the captain made the critical decisions. But deep down, she held a quiet confidence, believing that if she were ever in the captain’s seat, she could handle those decisions with ease.

Yet, faced with the turbulent weather, doubt crept in, and she hesitated. The thought of flying through this tempest made her stomach churn. One wrong move in this wind-swept chaos could send them spiraling into the unforgiving sea below.

All she wanted was to outshine Riley, to prove herself, but not at the cost of her own safety.

“Ms. Sinclair, why aren’t we moving forward?” a rescue worker on the helicopter asked, confusion etched on his face.

Bella felt heat rise to her cheeks. “It’s far too dangerous here,” she replied, her voice strained. “We can’t fly through this.”

The rescue worker glanced at the helicopter ahead, which seemed to glide effortlessly toward their destination. “But that helicopter in front…” he began, but Bella cut him off, irritation flaring within her.

“That’s their decision, and this is ours. Maybe they’re just lucky and haven’t encountered any issues yet,” she snapped, casting a sharp look at him. “Are you questioning my judgment?”

The rescue worker fell silent, chastised.

Bryce, seated beside her, attempted to ease the tension. “Bella, don’t worry. I’m sure you can navigate us through safely.”

But Bella couldn’t shake the unease that gnawed at her insides. She licked her lips nervously, the taste of doubt lingering. If she pressed on, would they truly be safe?

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