The phrase "afterwards he returned" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone came back after a certain event or period of time.
Example: "After finishing his work at the office, afterwards he returned home to relax."
Alternatives: "subsequently he came back" or "then he returned."
Afterwards, he returned to the pawnshop to make sure it was still there.
Afterwards, he returned to corporate labor law, retiring from Olin in 1977 as V.P. of Industrial Relations.
Afterwards, he returned to his condemnation of the Manchester attack at what had been billed as his keynote speech at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem's Givat Ram neighbourhood.
Afterwards he returned to attacking Romano Prodi, whose centre-left camp narrowly won the election two weeks ago and whose victory has been upheld by two Italian courts.
Afterwards he returned to his job and took annual leave as some of the most fêted names in fashion booked him for campaigns.
Anne-Marie Anne-Marie Birchtrangled by her estranged husband of 25 years in a field near Broadstairs; afterwards, he returned the dogs she had been walking to their owners, cleaned himself up in an Asda lavatory, and then drank two pints at the bar of a pub before calmly telephoning the police to let them know what he had done.
Afterwards, he returns River's diary and the vortex manipulator to her so she can return to her own time.
Afterwards, he was returned to his solitary cell in Evin and his "confession" was broadcast on Iranian state TV.
And he said he would be available to help afterwards, when he returns to what calls "the wonderful life of a law professor" and gives full attention to the healing role of friend and husband.
Afterwards, she returned to life perfectly fine and has, I have been told, recently had a baby".
Afterwards she returned to German and remained there for the rest of the year.
