Divorced CEO's Forgotten Wife Strikes Back (Riley and Bryce) novel Chapter 182

**TITLE: Dreams Refuse Gravity by Leo Arden Knox**
**Chapter 182: He Knew She Was Lying**

“The doctor mentioned they’re merely surface wounds,” Bella began, her voice slicing through the air with an edge that felt foreign. “But I refuse to let that matter! That kidnapper will pay for what he’s done. I’ll make sure he rots in prison for his actions. He will not escape justice!”

Bryce observed her intently, a growing sense of discomfort unfurling in his chest. The woman standing before him felt like a stranger cloaked in shadows, her words dripping with a bitterness he had never witnessed before.

“You can certainly pursue legal action against him,” he replied, his tone measured and cautious. “But you ought to be aware that this kidnapper might be the son of your deceased colleague. All he sought was the truth about his father. After all, you did leave him to die, didn’t you?”

Bryce had been privy to Riley’s frantic call to the police, piecing together the grim narrative that unfolded.

“What?” Bella’s body stiffened, her eyes widening in disbelief. “How do you know he’s my colleague’s son? And what do you mean, I left him to die? I don’t understand what you’re talking about!”

Bryce’s lips pressed together, feeling parched and heavy. You have no idea, do you? Everything was livestreamed after your abduction. The entire world witnessed your confession, where you admitted to standing by while his father perished.

Bella went rigid, her breath hitching in her throat as the implications of his words settled around her like a heavy fog.

After a long, stunned silence, she stammered, “Livestreamed? You’re saying… the entire incident was online?”

“Yeah,” Bryce confirmed quietly, the weight of the truth hanging heavily between them.

“No way! I didn’t see any cameras! I…” Bella’s expression darkened as memories of her frantic words after being taken flooded her mind. “Give me my phone! I need to see the footage!”

Bryce retrieved the phone she had dropped during the chaos, his heart heavy with the knowledge of what she was about to confront.

With trembling fingers, Bella unlocked the device and began her frantic search.

Although the kidnapper’s stream had been abruptly halted, the story had already gone viral. Clips from the livestream were scattered across social media like breadcrumbs leading to a dark truth.

It didn’t take long for Bella to find them.

There she was, battered and desperate, pleading for mercy, admitting to her complicity in allowing her colleague to burn. As the reality of her situation sank in, her face drained of color.

How could this be happening?

Bella had believed her confession was a private moment, an intimate exchange shared only with the man who had taken her.

She had planned to deny everything once the police came to her rescue.

But now, the entire world was aware of her failure to save a life.

In a frenzied panic, Bella scrolled through the comments that flooded in beneath the posts. They were a relentless tide of scorn and derision.

[What kind of firefighting hero is this? She’s disgusting!]

“Yes, you’re right! Just a little longer, and everyone will forget about this.” Bella clung to his words like a lifeline, her voice a frantic whisper as she attempted to convince herself of the possibility.

She had to believe that once the media frenzy subsided, she could reclaim her identity as the admired captain, living her life as if none of this had ever transpired.

“Bella, you should try to rest. Don’t dwell on this,” Bryce urged gently. “I need to head to the station to give my statement.”

As he turned to leave, Bella grasped his hand, her grip desperate and pleading. “Bryce, those things I said in the videos—they weren’t true!”

He halted, taken aback by her urgency. “What?”

“I didn’t abandon anyone!” Bella’s voice was a frantic plea, her eyes wide with desperation. “I only said those things to appease him, to survive! You believe me, don’t you?”

Bryce fell silent, the weight of her words settling over him like a heavy blanket. Deep down, he knew she was lying.

In the livestream, she hadn’t sounded like she was merely playing along. It felt more like a truth that had slipped out in a moment of vulnerability—and once her defenses crumbled, the confession had poured forth.

When he didn’t respond, Bella’s face twisted with panic. “You don’t believe me?”

“Bella,” Bryce said, his voice steady yet laden with concern, “even if you did make a mistake back then, even if you did let him die, I’m not here to judge you. I’ll stand by you.”

He stepped closer, taking her hand in his with a firm grip, as if anchoring himself to a promise that transcended their current turmoil. No matter what, she had once saved his life. And he had vowed to protect her, no matter the circumstances.