Divorced CEO's Forgotten Wife Strikes Back (Riley and Bryce) novel Chapter 93

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

**Chapter 93: Demon**

**Lucky Draw**

“Knock it off!” Riley’s voice sliced through the tension like a knife. In a swift motion, she yanked her hand free from Vince’s grip, then firmly pulled Sebastian’s hand away from Vince’s wrist.

Her eyes locked onto Sebastian’s, a serious intensity radiating from her. “You need to leave my friend alone, or trust me, you’ll be facing some serious consequences with me.”

With that, she turned her attention to Vince, her expression unwavering. “I’m going to be acting as Sebastian’s bodyguard for a while, so I’ll be sticking around him.”

Vince blinked in surprise, his eyebrows shooting up. “A bodyguard? Did he pressure you into this?”

“No,” she replied, her tone firm yet calm.

“Then what’s going on?” he pressed, curiosity piqued.

“I can’t say.” Just those three simple words were enough for Vince to grasp the gravity of the situation. It had to be some kind of covert mission, one that required discretion, and Riley was not about to divulge any details.

“Okay, I won’t pry. Just remember, tomorrow is your parents’ funeral. I’ll be waiting for you outside the memorial hall,” Vince said, his voice softening.

“Sure,” Riley replied, a hint of gratitude in her tone.

As she prepared to leave with Sebastian, Vince suddenly dashed forward, wrapping his arms around her in an unexpected embrace.

“What’s happening?” Riley exclaimed, taken aback by the sudden display of affection.

“Just reminiscing about how you’ve never changed, Rye. You’re still out there protecting the people you care about,” Vince murmured, his voice tinged with nostalgia.

The memory flooded back to him—she had stood by him during a time when he was burning with fever, barely conscious, yet she had carried him through the relentless snow, her determination unwavering.

“Don’t worry, we’ll be at the hospital soon. I’ve got you, nothing bad is going to happen!” Riley had assured him, her hair matted with sweat as she ran, her heart racing with adrenaline.

At that moment, everything felt surreal. Outside, the world was enveloped in a biting cold, yet within him, warmth blossomed, a flicker of hope igniting in the midst of despair.

“Rye, if you ever find yourself in trouble, I promise I’ll do whatever it takes to help you, no matter how difficult it gets,” Vince declared, his lips barely moving as he spoke, but the sincerity in his voice was unmistakable.

He resolved that if Sebastian dared to give her any trouble, even if that meant confronting the head of the Torres family, he would not hesitate to step in.

“I’m fine, really. You don’t need to worry about me. I’ve got to go!” Riley said, affectionately ruffling his hair before stepping away.

Reluctantly, Vince released her, his eyes lingering on her as she walked away.

Nearby, Lara, who had been observing the exchange, casually glanced over at Sebastian. To her surprise, she caught him watching Vince and Riley with an intensity that sent a shiver down her spine.

A flicker of jealousy danced in his eyes.

Jealousy?

The thought struck Lara like a bolt from the blue, leaving her momentarily stunned.

A guy like Sebastian, who seemingly had it all, wouldn’t be envious of anyone, would he? Perhaps she was misinterpreting things, allowing her imagination to run wild.

Meanwhile, Riley and Sebastian made their way back to the villa, the atmosphere thick with unspoken tension.

As they reached her room, Sebastian suddenly broke the silence. “What if I had actually broken Vince’s hand today?”

Riley frowned, her thoughts racing. “There’s no point in answering hypothetical questions like that. Right now, I’m your bodyguard, and that’s my priority.”

“What if you weren’t working as my bodyguard?” Sebastian pressed, a glimmer of hope in his voice.

“Then you’d have a whole team of other bodyguards surrounding you to ensure your safety,” she replied, her tone light yet firm.

Sebastian lowered his gaze, a hint of disappointment creeping into his demeanor. “Yeah, you’re right,” he conceded. Those ‘what if’ scenarios were futile.

The past was unchangeable, and he would never have the chance to be her comrade.

An unfamiliar ache settled in his chest, a profound sense of loss that he couldn’t quite articulate.

Later that night, after his shower, Sebastian stood before the mirror, scrutinizing his reflection. He saw the features that mirrored both of his parents—his father’s jawline paired with his mother’s expressive eyes.

Every time Audrey looked at him, it was as if she was confronted by a ghost, a painful reminder of Gregory, the man she despised. She would shove him away, her voice laced with venom, “Stay out of my way! You’re his son. When you grow up, you’ll turn into a demon just like him!”

Demon. That was the label his own mother had placed upon him. There was no trace of affection in her gaze, only raw hatred and fear.

Gregory, on the other hand, was a different nightmare altogether. He would lash out at Sebastian, berating him for being worthless and scolding him for failing to win his mother’s love.

Yet after each brutal encounter, Gregory would gaze into Sebastian’s eyes—eyes so reminiscent of Audrey’s—and weep softly, “I’m sorry, Sebastian. I love your mother more than anything. I can’t live without her. You’re her child, so she has to love you. You need to help me keep her around.”

Sebastian’s existence had been reduced to a mere pawn in a twisted game of love and desperation. The affection he had received was so grotesque it made his stomach churn.

But now, what was this strange, burgeoning feeling he had for Riley?

“Riley…” he whispered, a soft confession escaping his lips, “I think… I might be a little jealous of Vince.”