My Husband's Affair My Anniversary Gift (Lily and David) novel Chapter 123

The party had stretched longer than Lily expected. At first, she only planned to sit with Laura and a few others for a drink or two, but she had a naturally low tolerance for alcohol. By the end of the night, her cheeks were flushed, her head spinning slightly, and her steps not quite steady.

Laura hooked an arm around her as they walked out of the bar together. The night air was cooler than inside, the faint smell of smoke and city dust mixing with perfume. “I think I should drop Lily home first,” Laura said, half-carrying, half-guiding her friend.

Lily shook her head immediately, pressing her fingertips to her temple as if the motion could stop the dull throb starting behind her eyes. “No… no, I’m fine. I’ll just grab a taxi. Don’t worry about me.”

Laura frowned. “Are you sure? You don’t look good.”

“I’m good,” Lily said again, forcing a weak smile. “I’ve handled worse. Don’t worry, Laura.”

Her words were brave, but the moment she looked around to wave for a taxi, her vision blurred. The neon sign from the bar flickered, stabbing at her eyes. She swayed slightly, steadying herself. Then her gaze froze.

Not far away, a black car pulled up. A tall figure stepped out.

Her heart stopped.

David.

He was dressed in his usual sharp suit, his hair neat, his face as cold and unreadable as always. His eyes, however, weren’t neutral they were locked on the bar entrance. Following his line of sight, Lily’s stomach dropped when she saw who he was waiting for.

Marina.

Marina came out a moment later, laughing loudly with a group of friends before stumbling on her heels. She was drunk, her voice carrying across the pavement. David’s expression darkened instantly, but Lily caught the way his eyes shifted back and collided with hers.

For the first time since the gala, they were face to face.

The weight of his gaze pressed against her chest. Memories she didn’t want to remember surged up, along with anger and something else, something that made her throat close up. She tore her eyes away, rolling them deliberately as if he were just another stranger.

Of course, she thought bitterly. He came for her. His girlfriend. It doesn’t matter to me.

Her stomach twisted anyway.

The alcohol in her system wasn’t helping. A sudden wave of dizziness hit her, and her knees almost gave out. She stumbled, but before she could fall, strong arms caught her.

Her cheek brushed against a hard chest. The scent of clean cologne mixed with warmth surrounded her. Hands wrapped firmly around her waist, steadying her.

“Lily, careful,” a calm, low voice said above her.

She blinked, tilting her head up slowly. Her blurred vision cleared enough to see the familiar face. Carson.

“Th-thank you,” she whispered, her voice soft and slurred.

Carson chuckled, his lips curling into an amused smile as he looked down at her flushed face. “You’re welcome.”

Laura, still hovering, widened her eyes. “Oh, you’re that one! The man Lily was talking with, right?”

“Yes,” Carson nodded casually.

Laura hesitated, then asked, “Are you guys… friends?”

Carson glanced down at Lily, who was half-leaning against him, her expression dazed. He gave her a mischievous wink before answering, his voice deliberately loud enough for the group to hear. “Actually… I’m her boyfriend.”

Lily’s eyes shot open wide, shock snapping her out of her daze. “Wha.....” She tried to push him away, but Carson tightened his grip, giving her a subtle warning look that said don’t move.

Laura’s jaw dropped. “Wow, Lily! You’ve been hiding such a handsome boyfriend from us?”

David’s fists clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white. His jaw locked as his chest heaved.

"We’re still married", his thoughts screamed. "How dare you… how dare you smile like that at someone else?"

The sight of her laughing softly, looking safe in another man’s embrace, ignited something violent in him. He had never seen her smile at him that way. Never.

“David, are you coming?” Marina’s voice broke the air, impatient as she knocked on the inside window.

He didn’t answer. His eyes stayed glued to Lily until Carson opened the car door for her and helped her inside. David’s stomach twisted, fire burning through him.

As the car rolled forward, passing by his own, the headlights briefly illuminated Carson’s face. Recognition hit David like a strike of lightning.

Carson Bennett.

David’s breath stilled. He gritted his teeth so hard it hurt. So, he’s back.

And Lily… Lily had been staying in Carson’s apartment. Living there.

The thought alone made his vision blur with fury. He felt his blood boil, his heart pound so violently it echoed in his ears.

Marina whined again from the backseat, “David, let’s go home already…”

Finally, he tore his gaze away, slid into the driver’s seat, and slammed the door shut. His hands gripped the steering wheel until the leather groaned. His eyes flicked to the rearview mirror one last time, catching a glimpse of Carson’s car disappearing into the night with Lily inside.

David’s chest heaved. His eyes darkened.

The rage in him was far from over.