Divorced CEO's Forgotten Wife Strikes Back (Riley and Bryce) novel Chapter 26

**TITLE: Dreams Refuse Gravity by Leo Arden Knox**
**Chapter 26: Not Anymore**

In a heartbeat, a storm of doubts and suspicions surged through Bryce’s mind, each thought crashing against the others like waves in a turbulent sea.

Claire’s voice cut through the tension like a knife. “Bryce, I’ve been saying it for ages! She’s acting all kinds of shady. Who’s to say how long this has been happening? A married woman being dropped off like that?”

The moment those words reached Amanda’s ears, she stormed over with a fire in her eyes, her anger palpable. “What did you just say? Are you accusing Riley of having an affair?!”

Without a moment’s hesitation, Amanda lunged forward, her hand raised, ready to strike Riley across the face in a fit of rage.

“I swear, you’re divorcing Bryce right this instant!” she shrieked, her voice echoing with fury.

But before Amanda’s hand could make contact, Riley swiftly grasped her wrist, her grip firm and unyielding.

“Well, if that’s what you call cheating,” Riley replied, her tone as frigid as ice, “then perhaps you should ask your son about his little passenger history. How many times has he taken Bella for a spin?”

Amanda’s face flushed with indignation. “Bryce! Are you hearing this? I raise my hand once, and she grabs me like a thug! This is outrageous! Divorce her! Cut her loose!”

Riley’s smile was cool, almost mocking, as if she were savoring Amanda’s distress.

“Sure,” she said, a hint of sarcasm lacing her words. “But if we’re going to do this by the book, he owes me half of everything. Ready to sign that check?”

“Nonsense! You’re the one who’s cheating! You don’t deserve a single cent!” Amanda spat, her voice dripping with venom.

Cursing under her breath, Amanda’s fury was now directed at Riley, but Riley finally understood the true reason behind Amanda’s explosive behavior.

So this was their game.

They wanted out, but not without the hefty payout they had schemed for in that clandestine divorce agreement.

Bryce’s expression darkened, shadows creeping over his features as he stepped closer. “Let go of my mom right now. She’s an elder! Even if she scolds you, it’s only proper. You shouldn’t treat her this way!”

Riley let out a derisive laugh. “Scold me a bit? Is that all your mom did?”

“Even if she slapped you a couple of times, so what? She raised me! She sacrificed everything for us. As my wife, can’t you just put up with it?” Bryce shot back, his annoyance palpable.

Riley’s smile morphed into something more derisive, as she recalled the countless times Bryce had shared tales of his mother’s struggles.

His father had passed away too soon, and it was Amanda Murphy who had tirelessly raised Bryce and his sister, all on her own.

That had always been the reason Riley had chosen to tolerate Amanda’s presence in the past.

“Bryce, so what? She’s never lifted a finger for me. I put up with her because I loved you. I thought we were united in this. But not anymore!” Riley declared with conviction, her words like daggers.

Bryce’s face darkened further, confusion mingling with anger.

Not going to tolerate it anymore… But why?

Was it truly because she had stopped loving him?

Or was there someone else now? Someone like…

Sebastian?

“What a load of nonsense! Is that how your parents raised you? With no manners whatsoever?” Amanda exploded, her face a mask of fury.

Parents?

Riley froze, a cascade of memories crashing over her. The faces of her own parents swam before her eyes, their kindness etched in her mind, the warmth of a family gathering before they’d departed for that peacekeeping mission.

Their love felt fresh, as if it had happened just yesterday.

Turning to Amanda with newfound defiance, she said, “My parents loved me. They taught me to walk with my head held high.”

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