Divorced CEO's Forgotten Wife Strikes Back (Riley and Bryce) novel Chapter 40

**TITLE: Dreams Refuse Gravity by Leo Arden Knox**

**Chapter 40: You Can Always Trust Me**

Riley was clearly in the throes of the drug’s effects, her body radiating heat and an acute sensitivity that made her hyper-aware of every sensation. Yet, despite the turmoil within, her eyes remained sharp and resolute, a striking contrast to the chaos around her. She was determined not to succumb to the seductive pull of desire, not even for a fleeting moment.

In that instant, Sebastian found himself captivated by her expression. His heart raced in his chest, each beat echoing a sense of something profound shifting within him. It was as if a veil had been lifted, revealing emotions he hadn’t acknowledged before.

After what felt like an eternity, Sebastian managed a smile, a flicker of warmth breaking through the tension. “Alright,” he said, his voice steady despite the whirlwind of thoughts. “I’ll take you to the hospital.”

*****

Bryce had never envisioned himself sitting in a police station, caught in a web of chaos that seemed to spiral out of control. The two men across from him had already spilled their secrets, their confessions tumbling out like marbles on a polished floor. They admitted, with a mix of shame and bravado, that Amanda and Claire had orchestrated this entire debacle, paying them handsomely to execute their plan. The evidence was undeniable, their phones displaying a trail of money transfers from Amanda that left no room for doubt.

Throughout the questioning, Amanda maintained her innocence with a fervor that bordered on desperation. “I only gave them money!” she insisted, her voice rising in pitch. “I had no idea they would go this far!”

Bella, on the other hand, was a master of denial. She feigned ignorance, her wide-eyed act almost convincing. But inside, a storm of rage brewed. These small-town fools couldn’t even manage a simple scheme without fumbling the details.

All the hints and nudges she had provided had been utterly wasted on them.

Bryce sat in the lobby, his thoughts a jumbled mess of frustration and anxiety. He had envisioned using the gala as a springboard for new business ventures, but instead, this catastrophe had obliterated his plans. Forget about scouting new projects; he would be fortunate if his current deals survived this fallout. The company’s stock was bound to plummet, and the weight of impending disaster pressed heavily on his shoulders.

“Wait, where’s Riley? Why isn’t she here yet?” he asked, his voice laced with concern.

“Ms. Anderson wasn’t feeling well, so she went to the hospital first. We’ll send someone to take her statement,” one of the officers replied, his tone matter-of-fact.

Bryce felt his stomach twist into knots as worry surged through him. Without a second thought, he grabbed his phone and dialed Riley’s number, his heart racing with each ring.

“Who is this?” Bryce frowned, a sense of dread creeping in as he recognized the voice on the other end.

“Sebastian.” The coldness in his tone sent a shiver down Bryce’s spine.

“Where’s Riley? Why do you have her phone?” Bryce’s voice trembled, anxiety clawing at him.

“Oh, she’s sleeping. Need something? I can pass it on when she wakes up,” Sebastian replied, his nonchalance only heightening Bryce’s unease.

Bryce’s grip on the phone tightened, a sickening feeling gnawing at him. The thought of Riley resting beside Sebastian was a bitter pill to swallow, one that twisted in his gut.

What does that even mean?

He couldn’t recall how the conversation ended, his mind a whirlwind of confusion and dread. Just then, Bella emerged from the interrogation room, her expression a mix of annoyance and exasperation.

“Bryce, this really has nothing to do with me,” she began, her voice steady but strained. “I might have mentioned wanting you to divorce Riley, but I had no idea they would actually go this far to make it happen.”

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