Divorced CEO's Forgotten Wife Strikes Back (Riley and Bryce) novel Chapter 94

**TITLE: Dreams Refuse Gravity by Leo Arden Knox**
**Chapter 94: Funeral – Lucky Draw**

Earlier that day, a disquieting sensation had crept into his chest when he spotted her with Vince. It was a feeling that began as a mere whisper of discomfort but quickly escalated into a sharp, unyielding ache. The kind of ache that gnawed at him insistently, as though some fragile part of his heart was in peril of being wrenched away.

The intensity of that feeling reached an unbearable crescendo when he caught her gaze fixed solely on Vince, her eyes shimmering with admiration, and particularly when she stood up for him, her loyalty evident and unwavering. In that moment, clarity washed over him like a cold wave; he was experiencing jealousy for the first time, raw and unfiltered.

*****

The dawn of the next day found Riley rising with the sun, the light filtering through her window, casting soft shadows across her room. Today was a day steeped in solemnity, a day dedicated to honoring her parents as they would be laid to rest in the Martyrs’ Cemetery.

Dressed in simple black mourning attire, she made her way to the memorial hall, her heart heavy with the weight of grief. Each step felt like a journey through a fog of sorrow, her mind racing with memories of laughter and love now tinged with loss.

Inside the hall, the atmosphere was thick with solemnity. The Anderson family, clad in shades of mourning, stood in a respectful formation, their expressions grave and reflective. The air was charged with a palpable sense of loss, and the sight of Quinten, leaning heavily on his cane, lost in contemplation before the framed photographs of Dominic and his family, struck a chord deep within her.

“Sir Anderson, Riley has arrived,” a voice broke through the silence, drawing Quinten from his thoughts.

He turned to her, his expression softening slightly. “Riley, you’re here. Today is important. Make sure you give your parents the send-off they deserve. They brought honor to the Anderson name. Come now, let’s show them the respect they have earned.”

Riley felt a rush of gratitude and sorrow as she bowed her head before the portraits, her heart aching with the memories they held.

“And what about everyone else? Shouldn’t we all extend our farewell to Riley and her family?” Quinten declared, his voice steady and commanding. He was the first to bow deeply before the framed images, a gesture that echoed with admiration, remembrance, and an undercurrent of guilt.

Wren beamed, a satisfied smile spreading across her face. “Yes, it truly is pitiful.”

However, as they reached the entrance of the memorial hall, Wren’s expression shifted from smugness to shock. Two lines of soldiers stood at attention, impeccably uniformed, their presence a stark reminder of the honor bestowed upon Riley’s parents.

Wren’s mind reeled; it wasn’t just the soldiers. Prominent figures from the city government were present too, draped in black, paying their respects.

The sight struck her like a punch to the gut, knocking the wind from her lungs. Just moments ago, she had been mocking Riley, convinced that without the Anderson family’s support, Riley would be left to face the funeral alone. Yet here, in front of her, was a testament to the legacy of Riley’s parents, martyrs whose sacrifices would never be forgotten by the nation.

Even passersby halted in their tracks, drawn to the solemn procession unfolding before them, a poignant reminder of the impact that Riley’s parents had made.