Divorced CEO's Forgotten Wife Strikes Back (Riley and Bryce) novel Chapter 72

**DREAMS REFUSE GRAVITY by Leo Arden Knox**

**Chapter 72: Memorial Hall**

As the airplane’s wheels touched down on the tarmac, Riley and Sebastian stepped out into the crisp air, filled with a mix of anticipation and trepidation.

Riley had taken the initiative days prior to secure a hotel room, hoping for some solitude before the storm of emotions that awaited her. But as she reached for her bag, Sebastian’s voice broke through her thoughts, firm yet casual. “You’ve been my bodyguard for three months now, so it makes sense for you to stay at my place.”

She hesitated, a knot forming in her stomach. “But… I have my parents’ funeral tomorrow. It could be awkward staying with you, Mr. Torres.” The weight of her words hung in the air, heavy with the grief she was trying to suppress.

Sebastian merely shrugged, his demeanor relaxed. “It’s fine. I already told you that you don’t need to watch me constantly. Just when you’re free. It’s only three months, and you did agree to this, Ms. Anderson.” His casual dismissal of her concerns made it hard for her to argue further.

Riley sighed, the internal battle raging within her. **I did promise Nicolas. Three months would fly by in the blink of an eye.** Reluctantly, she acquiesced, knowing deep down that she had little choice in the matter.

They were greeted by a local driver who whisked them away in a sleek car. As they settled into the backseat, Sebastian leaned forward, instructing the driver to take them to a high-end restaurant that had earned a reputation for its exquisite cuisine.

Riley gazed out the window, her eyes tracing the landscape that unfolded before her. The scenery was a stark contrast to the hustle and bustle of Washington. Carmel exuded a gentle, almost ethereal charm, with lush greenery flanking the roads and buildings that whispered tales of a bygone era. **How different this place feels from my memories.**

Her recollections of Carmel were vague, like fragments of a dream. She had moved to Washington with her parents during her primary school years, and her visits to this town had been few and far between. The last time she had come back was in high school, a somber trip to visit graves that felt like it happened eons ago.

Her parents had returned to Carmel several times after that, but she had always been tethered to school and work commitments, missing out on those precious moments. **Three years ago, they promised we would all return together after the peacekeeping mission.** But now, she found herself back in Carmel, carrying the ashes of her parents, a bitter reminder of promises unfulfilled.

As the car glided through the streets, a familiar sight caught her eye—a memorial hall nestled in the downtown area, standing proudly along the road.

“That memorial hall…” Riley murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.

The driver, sensing her interest, chimed in, “That’s the Anderson family’s memorial hall. They hold quite a legacy in Carmel. Thirty years ago, when the real estate market was just beginning to boom, a developer tried to buy that very land for two hundred million dollars. He even enlisted some shady characters to back him up.”

Riley’s heart raced as she listened, memories flooding back. “But the Anderson family rallied together from all corners of the country, declaring they would never sell the land left by their ancestors. It was a remarkable sight! In the end, the developer and his men had to retreat, and since then, no one has dared to lay claim to that land again.”

As the driver recounted the tale, Riley felt a whirlwind of emotions stirring within her. Her father, Dominic, had shared stories of that pivotal moment in their family history. The Andersons may not have been wealthy, but their unity was their greatest strength. They had drawn names from a hat to decide who would protect the memorial hall, ensuring that if it were ever sold, the clan would continue to look after their own.

But her grandfather had taken a different stance. He had refused to participate in the drawing altogether, brandishing a knife and proclaiming, “My son’s grown up; he doesn’t need the clan protecting him. My wife’s gone, and I have nothing holding me back. I’ll fight for our family until my last breath!” Dominic had always admired his father’s fierce spirit.

It was tragic that her grandfather had passed away in an accident soon after, leading Dominic and Bianca to Washington. Yet, no matter where they roamed, Carmel remained their roots, their anchor.

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