My Husband's Affair My Anniversary Gift (Lily and David) novel Chapter 134

The restaurant wasn’t crowded, soft lights filling the space, the low hum of conversations around them. They were shown to a table near the window.

Lily sat down, smoothing her dress unconsciously. Carson leaned back in his chair, watching her with that same careless smile.

“Don’t stare,” Lily said without looking up.

“Can’t help it,” Carson replied easily.

Lily sighed. She picked up the menu. “What are you ordering?”

“You choose for me,” Carson said.

“No. I’m not your babysitter.”

Carson leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. “Then order for both of us. I’ll eat whatever you eat.”

Lily raised her eyes at him. “Why?”

“Because,” Carson said with a small shrug, “I like your choices.”

Lily shook her head but said nothing more. She ordered for both of them, ignoring his gaze on her.

While they waited for the food, Carson leaned back again. His voice was calm, almost too calm. “Do you still hate me right now?”

Lily blinked, caught off guard. “What?”

Carson tilted his head. “Do you still hate me? For earlier.”

Lily hesitated. She bit her lip, then shook her head slightly. “I don’t hate you. I just… don’t want trouble.”

Carson’s eyes softened, though his lips didn’t move into a smile this time. “I don’t want to be trouble for you.”

Lily laughed once, short and bitter. “Then don’t be. Just leave me alone.”

Carson’s expression tightened for a second, but he quickly hid it behind his casual grin. “Too late for that.”

Lily stared at him, confused. “What do you mean?”

Carson looked down at the table, his fingers tracing the rim of the glass in front of him. “I don’t know. Forget it.”

Lily frowned but didn’t push further. The food arrived, and the conversation shifted again, back to casual topics.

But in Lily’s chest, unease grew.

She had told him clearly. She had made it clear she didn’t want this. Yet the way Carson looked at her, the way his words slipped out, made her feel like things weren’t going to stay simple.

And deep inside, she was scared of what would happen next.

Lily’s mind wasn’t calm. She chewed slowly, carefully, as if the food was suddenly tasteless. She tried to keep her focus only on Carson, on the table, on the window beside them.

Until her eyes flicked, just once.

“I thought I was mistaken,” Marina said sweetly, tilting her head. “But no, it really is you. And who is this… is he your new man?”

Lily froze again, her whole body stiff. Anger and embarrassment washed over her face in waves of red. Marina’s words were like poison, meant to pierce deep. Lily knew immediately Marina wasn’t here just to greet her. She was here to humiliate her again.

“Miss Laurent, you should mind your business,” Lily said firmly, her voice low.

“Babe, calm down.”

Carson’s voice slipped in suddenly, casual, but his choice of words made Lily’s head snap toward him.

Babe?

She glared at him, fury burning in her eyes. But Carson only gave her an assuring smile, pretending everything was fine.

Marina’s face darkened at the word, though she hid it quickly. The mask of politeness stayed, but her eyes sharpened.

“Hello, I’m Carson Bennett,” Carson said smoothly, extending his hand just slightly, but his smile carried no warmth. “As you said, I’m Lily’s new man.”

He had already gotten negative vibes the moment he saw the woman. Everything about Marina screamed scheming, and the way she looked at Lily, like she was trying to cut her down, only confirmed it.

Marina chuckled, the sound sharp and fake. “Hello, Mr. Bennett. I’m Marina Laurent. Lily’s good friend.”

Friend? My ass. Lily rolled her eyes but said nothing.