Divorced CEO's Forgotten Wife Strikes Back (Riley and Bryce) novel Chapter 24

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**TITLE: Dreams Refuse Gravity by Leo Arden Knox**
**Chapter 24: Stop Right There!**

At that moment, a group of guys ambled over, their casual demeanor unmistakable. They were none other than Bryce’s usual entourage, his loyal companions who seemed to thrive on mischief.

“Yo, Bryce! Bella’s been searching high and low for you at the exhibition hall. What are you doing hanging out here?” Kieran drawled, a teasing lilt in his voice as they approached, their laughter echoing in the air.

Bryce offered a half-hearted nod, a vague acknowledgment of their presence, and began to make his way toward the exhibition hall. His mind, however, was a chaotic storm of thoughts, swirling around the vivid memory of Riley soaring through the sky in that plane just moments ago.

As he meandered past the Cloud Airlines booth, Bella emerged from the throng of people, her expression a mix of concern and curiosity. “You seem a bit off. Is everything okay?” she inquired, her brow furrowing slightly as she studied him.

“Huh? Oh, it’s nothing… just been swamped with work stuff,” Bryce shrugged, attempting to dismiss her concern with a nonchalant wave of his hand.

“Then why not take a load off right here?” Bella suggested, patting the empty seat beside her with an inviting smile.

Bryce sank into the chair, the weight of the day pressing down on him. He took several long gulps of water, feeling the cool liquid wash over his dry throat. Gradually, he sensed the tension in his shoulders begin to dissipate, allowing him to breathe a little easier.

Just then, a massive LED screen flickered to life, showcasing the open-air ground behind the building. The aerobatic show was about to commence, and excitement crackled in the air.

“Too bad I’m still recovering from that fall. I would have loved to be up there,” Bella said wistfully, her eyes glued to the screen.

Bryce hesitated, his curiosity piqued. “Is it… really that difficult? Flying like that?” he asked, genuinely intrigued.

“It’s incredibly hard. Not just any pilot can put on a show like that,” Bella replied, a hint of pride lacing her words as she spoke of the skill involved.

Under normal circumstances, Bryce would have been quick to shower Bella with compliments, but as he reflected on Riley’s earlier performance, the words of praise caught in his throat, tangled with uncertainty.

Before long, the aerobatic show kicked off! Bryce’s eyes widened as he spotted the very plane Riley had flown earlier among the performers, cutting through the sky with grace and precision.

The camera angle was too distant to discern the pilot’s identity, but a strange intuition nagged at Bryce, whispering that it was indeed Riley behind the controls.

As he watched the breathtaking display, Bella suddenly chimed in, “Oh! Speaking of, Kieran mentioned seeing Riley earlier. Apparently, she said something like, ‘Flying’s no big deal.’ Can you believe that arrogance?”

Bryce pressed his lips together, feeling a surge of defensiveness. “What if she wasn’t being arrogant?” he ventured, his tone tentative.

Bella’s expression shifted to one of disbelief as she frowned, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “Bryce, are you seriously taking her side? Do you hear yourself? She’s never trained a day in her life, and now she thinks she’s a stunt pilot? Please.”

“I’m not taking her side, but what if… she actually can fly a plane?” Bryce countered, a hint of frustration creeping into his voice.

Bella’s face twisted into a mocking sneer, her eyes narrowing. “Oh, come on! What else could this be? Her flying a plane? You’re not just insulting me; you’re disrespecting all the professional pilots out there!”