Divorced CEO's Forgotten Wife Strikes Back (Riley and Bryce) novel Chapter 89

**TITLE: Dreams Refuse Gravity by Leo Arden Knox**
**Chapter 89: Love Me**

**Lucky Draw**

“I don’t dislike you!” Riley declared firmly, her gaze locking onto his with a fierce intensity. “But I just went through a divorce. I’m not in the right headspace to develop feelings for anyone right now. Besides, you’re not even interested in me, are you?”

Sebastian raised an eyebrow, a playful smirk dancing on his lips. “What if I am? Would that change your mind and make you fall for me?”

Riley felt a jolt of surprise ripple through her. What was he really implying?

“I already told you, I’m not looking to fall for anyone. So even if you have feelings for me, it won’t matter because I won’t feel the same way!”

Sebastian leaned in slightly, his expression earnest. “What about in the future? Do you think you might fall for someone later on?”

Riley sighed, her shoulders slumping slightly as she contemplated the uncertainty of it all. “Who knows what the future holds?”

His eyes narrowed for a moment before a broad smile broke across his face. “Yeah, who knows what surprises the future might bring!”

*****

The day had been a whirlwind of chaos, and perhaps that was why Riley found herself wide awake in the stillness of the night.

10:45 PM

As she lay there, lost in her thoughts, a soft noise drifted from the adjacent room, pulling her from her reverie.

Startled, Riley shot upright in bed, her heart racing as she quietly slipped out of her room. She peeked around the corner and spotted Sebastian emerging from his room, his figure moving purposefully down the stairs.

When their eyes met, a flicker of surprise lit up his face. “You really are quite the diligent bodyguard,” he remarked, a hint of admiration in his tone.

“What are you doing up at this hour?” Riley questioned, her curiosity piqued.

Sebastian shrugged nonchalantly. “Just heading to the living room. Since you’re awake, why not join me for a drink?”

In the living room, he approached the wine cabinet with an air of familiarity. “What kind of wine do you prefer?” he asked, glancing back at her.

“I don’t drink,” she replied firmly. After all, her primary duty was to protect him. A drink could easily lead to a lapse in judgment.

He didn’t press the issue and instead poured himself a glass of deep red wine, lifting it to his lips with an almost reckless abandon.

Riley watched as he poured himself another glass, and then a third. It was as if he were not savoring the wine but rather gulping it down like a man parched for something deeper than just a drink.

This behavior was so unlike the composed Sebastian she had come to know.

Just as he reached for a fourth glass, she instinctively reached out, placing her hand over his. “Stop drinking. You know it’s not good for your health if you keep this up.”

He looked up at her, surprise etched on his features. “You’re worried about me?”

His calm demeanor masked an undercurrent of something more—perhaps a hint of vulnerability. Was it yearning?

His eyelashes fluttered slightly, and he asked, “Why not?”

“Do you really think you could ever love me?” Riley shot back, her voice steady despite the tumult of emotions swirling within her.

This time, Sebastian fell silent, contemplating her words.

“Feeling that spark means there’s a chance of falling in love. But as I’ve said before, the person I want to love is someone who’ll stand by my side, someone I can trust with my life. Someone who will never abandon me in my time of need and will never betray my trust!” she declared, each word ringing with conviction.

Unlike Bryce, who had always been preoccupied with another woman, disregarding all her efforts and breaking every promise he had made.

“Then if I could be that person you just described, would you allow yourself to develop feelings for me?” Sebastian murmured, his voice low and earnest.

“What?” Riley was taken aback, completely unprepared for such a bold statement from him.

Without waiting for a response, he leaned in closer, closing the distance between them.

Riley stiffened, her instincts screaming for her to retreat, but he whispered, “Stay still. Just let me rest on your shoulder for a moment.”

Caught off guard, she remained frozen in place as he lowered his head onto her shoulder.

Though a woman’s shoulders were not built like a man’s, hers felt unexpectedly sturdy. In that moment, when he leaned against her, he felt an overwhelming sense of safety, as if he were a child enveloped in his mother’s comforting embrace.

“I got a call from my father,” he suddenly blurted out, breaking the tension that hung in the air.