Divorced CEO's Forgotten Wife Strikes Back (Riley and Bryce) novel Chapter 6

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

**Chapter 6: I’m Done with You, Bryce**

Bryce felt the weight of Riley’s gaze like a heavy cloak draped over his shoulders, guilt flickering across his features like a candle’s flame in a draft. Every fiber of his being was still thrumming with adrenaline from the chaos that had just erupted around them.

When the gunshot had shattered the air, his body had reacted on instinct—his arms wrapping around Bella, pulling her close as if he could shield her from the very essence of danger itself. It was a reflex, one born of a deep-seated need to protect, yet now, as he gently pushed Bella away, he felt the gravity of the moment settle over him.

“I’ll make it up to Riley later,” he reassured himself, a flicker of hope igniting in his chest. “She’s always been easy to win over. A few sweet words, and she’ll soften.” The thought should have calmed him, but it was quickly eclipsed by a sudden wave of shock.

Riley’s lips moved, and the five words that escaped her mouth struck him like a fist to the chest. “Bryce Murphy, we are done.”

A sharp, knife-like pain lanced through his heart, twisting and turning with every beat. He could hardly comprehend the reality of her words.

“What’s wrong?” Bella asked, her brow furrowing in concern as she sensed the shift in his demeanor while still nestled in his embrace.

“Nothing… it’s nothing,” Bryce replied, forcing the words out through a suddenly dry throat. The denial felt flimsy, even to him. There was no way Riley would actually sever their bond, was there? Surely, he must have imagined it, the chaos of the moment playing tricks on his mind.

As the gunfire ceased, the Torres family’s security personnel burst into the restaurant like a swarm of hornets, quickly encircling the middle-aged gunman. Yet, the threat lingered, his weapon still trained menacingly on Sebastian, who stood there with a calm that was almost infuriating.

The atmosphere thickened with tension, everyone frozen in place, caught in a moment that felt suspended in time.

“Sebastian… my brother went bankrupt because of your Torres family. You destroyed his life. I’m here to make you pay!” The gunman’s voice was a venomous growl, each word dripping with unbridled rage.

“Is that so?” Sebastian replied, his handsome features betraying no sign of fear. Instead, he began to walk towards the gunman, a picture of serene confidence.

“Plenty of people want me dead. Think you can actually pull it off?” he taunted, his voice steady, as if they were merely discussing the weather.

“Don’t… don’t come any closer,” the gunman stammered, panic creeping into his voice as he realized Sebastian’s intent. “Take another step and I’ll shoot.”

But Sebastian didn’t falter; if anything, he quickened his stride, the air around them thick with anticipation as the crowd held its collective breath, eyes glued to the unfolding drama.

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