My Husband's Affair My Anniversary Gift (Lily and David) novel Chapter 100

The gala hall glittered with golden light, the sound of champagne glasses clinking echoing like soft music under the hum of conversations. Laughter and polite applause moved around like waves, every corner filled with business elites and media eyes watching for the smallest crack in perfection.

Lily stood still, near Jabco, her expression serene, almost unshakable. Inside, her chest burned like fire, but she didn’t let a flicker of it show. Her hand slowly lifted, fingers brushing against the ring. Tonight, she had dared to place it back on her finger for the first time since the wedding.

And now, just as everyone basked in David’s public declaration of Marina as his “only love,” Lily’s calm hand reached down. She twisted the ring off her finger, the tiny circle of diamond gleaming in the light.

Jabco, sharp-eyed as always, caught the movement instantly. His brows shot up. “What are you doing?” he muttered under his breath, eyes narrowing at her.

Lily’s lips curved, almost playful, but her voice was steady. “I’m going to show them the real game.” She winked at him.

Jabco tilted his head, confused but amused at the same time. He didn’t understand what exactly she was planning, but something inside him stirred, a thrill of chaos. “You’re insane,” he murmured, but his tone carried approval.

Before Lily could step forward, Jabco suddenly reached and wrapped his arm tightly around her waist. She blinked, startled, her body tensing at the sudden pull.

“What are you doing?” she whispered, her tone sharp.

Jabco leaned down, lowering his face close to her ear. His breath brushed against her skin as he whispered, “Playing the game.”

Lily narrowed her eyes at him, suspicious. But then, slowly, she let him. She understood, if Jabco stayed at her side, the impact would be sharper, the stage grander.

Across the hall, David’s eyes caught the sight of Lily moving. The moment his gaze landed on her, his chest tightened painfully. But then his stare shifted, toward Jabco’s hand pressed firmly against her waist.

His expression darkened instantly, dangerously. For a man who always wore his calm like armor, the sudden flicker of raw anger was enough to unsettle those closest to him.

Beside him, Marina was glowing, basking in the spotlight like it was made for her. When her eyes followed David’s gaze and caught Lily approaching, her heart skipped but not with fear. Excitement rushed through her veins. She saw an opportunity to shine even brighter.

“Oh! Lily?” Marina’s voice rang sweetly through the air, loud enough for people nearby to hear. She tilted her head in feigned surprise, as though she had only just noticed her.

Lily’s face carried a calm, flattering smile. “Hello, Miss Laurent. Hello, Mr. Hardison,” she said softly. “You both look great together tonight.”

Her words dripped with sweetness, polite and flawless, but her eyes when they landed on David were sharp enough to slice him open.

“Hello, Miss Laurent. Congratulations,” Jabco added smoothly, his tone light and flattering, but his smile carried amusement as he watched the storm build between them.

David’s jaw tightened. Lily’s smile, her tone, everything was too calm, too composed.

Marina stiffened, fury flooding her eyes. Her lips parted but no words came out, her triumph of moments ago shattered in an instant.

David… froze. He didn’t move. He didn’t speak. The ring sat in his palm like it weighed more than the world. His chest rose sharply, but the air wouldn’t come. For the first time in his life, David Hardison felt like his heart had stopped beating.

He felt like he had lost everything.

Beside Lily, Jabco smiled faintly, his voice smooth as silk but carrying fire beneath. “Congratulations, Mr. Hardison.” He deliberately pressed salt into the wound, enjoying the sight more than the champagne in his hand.

Then he tightened his arm around Lily’s waist, pulling her closer. “Let’s go, Lily.”

Lily gave David one last look, calm, dignified, final. Then she turned. Her steps were slow but firm, her head high, her back straight.

Gasps and whispers erupted in their wake. Some reporters muttered in shock, others frantically snapped photos, and the guests whispered behind their hands.

Marina’s face burned red with anger, her triumphant glow now twisted with humiliation.

David stood frozen, staring at the ring in his hand, unable to move, unable to breathe, as Lily walked away from him with dignity, her silence louder than any words she could have spoken.