Divorced CEO's Forgotten Wife Strikes Back (Riley and Bryce) novel Chapter 193

**TITLE: Dreams Refuse Gravity by Leo Arden Knox**
**Chapter 193: It’s All Their Fault**

“What the…” Riley found herself momentarily paralyzed by surprise, her mind racing as she tried to process the situation unfolding before her. But as she noticed him lean in closer, a spark of realization ignited within her. A delicate blush began to bloom on her cheeks, warming her skin. “But I can just…”

The protest she attempted to voice felt trapped within her throat, as if the words had conspired against her. The pleading glimmer in his eyes made it nearly impossible to utter a refusal.

With a soft sigh escaping her lips, Riley made a decision. She raised the hand that he hadn’t captured in his own and wrapped it gently around Sebastian’s neck, feeling the warmth of his skin beneath her fingertips.

After all, he was her boyfriend.

If this was what he desired, then she would willingly oblige, her heart racing with anticipation.

In an instant, Sebastian’s lips met hers, igniting a fire within her. The kiss was more than just a mere connection; it was a passionate exchange that seemed to convey all the love he held for her. The taste of warm coffee lingered between them, mingling with the sweetness of the moment.

It was a kiss that felt eternal, charged with emotion, as if he were trying to communicate the depths of his affection without the need for words.

*****

Despite the harrowing experience of being kidnapped, Bella emerged from the ordeal with only a few minor abrasions. After two long days in the sterile hospital environment, she was finally ready to leave.

Waiting for her outside the hospital were her father, Logan Sinclair, her mother, Miranda, and her fiancé, Bryce.

As they stepped into the bright daylight, Bella’s fury was palpable. “I swear, I will ensure that kidnapper rots in jail! This isn’t something that can just be brushed aside. The humiliation he inflicted on me—he’ll pay for that, double! Bryce, I need you to find me a lawyer—no, not just any lawyer; I want the best to ensure he spends the rest of his life behind bars!”

“But Bella, that guy…” Bryce started, but before he could elaborate, Miranda shot him a disapproving look.

“Bryce, you’re not actually considering letting that kidnapper off easy, are you? You and Bella are engaged now. If you keep acting like this, how can I trust you with my daughter’s safety?”

Just as Bryce opened his mouth to explain his stance, a swarm of reporters descended upon them, cameras flashing like lightning strikes in a storm.

One reporter thrust a microphone towards Bella, his voice cutting through the chaos. “Ms. Sinclair, during your kidnapping, you admitted that you would let a senior colleague, who had shown you kindness, die. What were you thinking at that moment?”

Bella froze, her heart pounding in her chest as her face drained of color.

“Ms. Sinclair, please respond!” another reporter pressed, their urgency palpable.

“Rumor has it that the kidnapper is the son of your deceased colleague. Will you forgive him for the kidnapping?”

Miranda chimed in, “Exactly! You should have seen this coming. And look at my earrings and this bag! They cost a fortune, and now they’re ruined. As Bella’s fiancé, you owe me new ones.”

Their accusations and demands filled the air, overwhelming Bryce. Frustration bubbled up inside him, and he felt the weight of their expectations pressing down on him. And there was Bella, sitting silently beside him, offering no defense.

In that moment, Bryce was transported back to his time with Riley. He remembered how few people had ever pointed fingers at him or made demands. In contrast, his mother and sister had often criticized Riley, expecting her to bend to their whims.

It struck him like a bolt of lightning—had he ever truly stood up for Riley?

Like Bella now, he had likely remained silent, allowing the tide of discontent to wash over her without a word of support.

He recalled the times he had grumbled about Riley being unreasonable when she hesitated to cater to his family’s demands, insisting that as his wife, she should be more accommodating.

The weight of those memories pressed heavily on his chest, making it difficult to breathe.

Once they reached the hotel, Bryce ushered Bella’s parents to their room first, then led Bella to theirs.

As soon as they entered, Bella clung to him, her voice trembling with anxiety. “Bryce, what am I going to do? I’m finished. The press is going to tear me apart. It’s all that kidnapper’s fault—and Riley’s too. They’re both trying to ruin me!”