My Husband's Affair My Anniversary Gift (Lily and David) novel Chapter 109

Her thoughts were interrupted by a low voice.

“Who was it?”

She nearly dropped the phone. David was standing behind her, his sharp eyes locked on her face.

Marina forced a laugh and put the phone down quickly. “Oh! Just my assistant. My phone died, so I used yours.”

David frowned, but only for a second. He didn’t think much of it. He slipped the phone back into his pocket. “Let’s go.”

They left the restaurant together. The driver opened the car door. David motioned for her to go first.

Inside, the leather seats smelled faintly of cologne. The city lights flickered outside the tinted windows.

“Let’s drop you first,” David said flatly as the car pulled onto the main road.

Marina’s chest tightened. She bit her lip, then leaned closer. “David, I don’t want to stay alone tonight.”

His gaze shifted to her, hard and cold. “Marina, I have work.”

“Please,” she whispered, her hand slipping onto his arm. “I won’t disturb you. I’ll just sit quietly on the side. Please…” Her fingers clung to his sleeve like a desperate child.

David sighed, tilting his head back against the seat. His eyes closed for a moment, exhaustion written all over his face. Finally, he gave in with a short nod.

Marina’s heart leapt with triumph. She tightened her hold on his arm, resting her head lightly against his shoulder. “Thank you, David.”

He didn’t answer.

When the car stopped in front of the villa, David got out first. Marina followed, her heels clicking softly against the stone steps. The villa was quiet, the night air cool.

Once inside, David shrugged off his jacket and handed it to a waiting servant. He turned to Marina. “You go and rest. I have work to finish.”

Her smile faltered. “Work? Now?”

“Yes.” His voice was cold and final. He didn’t wait for her reply. He walked straight to his study, shutting the heavy door behind him.

Marina stood there in the hall, her fists tightening at her sides. This wasn’t what she wanted. She thought coming here meant they would finally spend time together. She wanted him to hold her, to kiss her, to prove she was the woman beside him now. Instead… he was ignoring her again.

She walked slowly up the stairs to his bedroom.

Inside, she took a long shower, letting the hot water wash over her trembling body. She changed into a silk nightgown she had slipped into her bag earlier and lay down on his bed. The sheets smelled faintly of him.

The next morning, a loud vibration woke her.

Marina groaned softly, opening her eyes. David’s phone was buzzing on the bedside table. She turned her head toward the bathroom. She could hear the shower running.

Quickly, she grabbed the phone and flipped it over.

A list of meetings filled the screen. His schedule was packed. That early morning meeting Roy mentioned stood out at the top.

Her lips pressed into a thin line. Slowly, she opened the calendar. With quick taps, she deleted the meeting. Then the next one. And the next. One by one, she erased them all until the screen showed an empty day.

Her chest rose and fell with heavy breaths. She bit her lip, then set the phone back exactly where it had been.

The shower stopped.

Marina quickly slid back under the blanket, pretending to be asleep.

David came out a moment later, towel around his shoulders, steam clinging to his hair. He glanced at her sleeping figure, then at his phone. Picking it up, he glanced at the time. No reminders popped up. He slipped it into his pocket without a second thought.

Marina kept her eyes closed, a small smile curving her lips. Now, David, she thought. Today, you won’t run away from me. Today, you’ll have no choice but to stay.