My Husband's Affair My Anniversary Gift (Lily and David) novel Chapter 142

“Because you’re not like them,” Jabco said softly, lowering his voice, leaning close so only she could hear. “You’re real. That’s why they can’t stay away from you.”

Lily’s head snapped up, shocked by his words. His face held no teasing, no hidden plan, only truth. Real, open truth. That scared her more than anything else because sincerity was dangerous. Sincerity made walls fall down, and she needed those walls to survive.

“Remember this,” Jabco added, his voice calm but firm, “Carson isn’t your enemy. He’s just blind. But David… David sees everything. And that makes him the most dangerous one.”

Before Lily could answer, the elevator dinged, the doors opening. She quickly stepped inside, cutting him off. “Enough, Jabco. I don’t want to hear it.” She pressed the button and turned her face away.

The doors started to close, and Lily caught her reflection in the golden mirror. Her eyes betrayed her, hurt, fear, anger, everything mixing together until she could hardly breathe. The doors closed with a final clink.

The ride down was silent. Too silent. When the doors opened again and they stepped out, Jabco finally spoke. “Let me drive you.”

“You don’t need to,” Lily muttered, already heading for her car. Her driver was waiting, but her steps faltered when she noticed David leaning on his car nearby. He was looking at his phone, but when he heard her footsteps, his eyes lifted. His gaze locked on her like steel.

Lily’s phone vibrated in her bag. She pulled it out, David’s name flashed on the screen. He was waiting for her. Watching her. And she had no strength left for another fight. She turned back to Jabco. “Let’s go.”

Jabco froze for a second, surprised, but quickly recovered and opened the car door for her. Before sliding in, he glanced once at David.

The look David gave back could cut through stone. Jabco gave a little laugh, trying to ease the weight. “What if he kills me after this?” he joked weakly as he got into the driver’s seat.

Lily closed her eyes, trying to breathe, trying to calm her racing heart. She didn’t have to look at David to know his anger was burning holes through her back. But she was done caring. Done with his anger, his control, his constant shadow.

Her phone vibrated again and again. She didn’t need to check, it was him. Without a word, she switched it off and shoved it deep into her bag.

“Where do you want me to take you?” Jabco asked as the car rolled onto the road.

Lily slowly opened her eyes. She had nowhere. If she went back to Carson’s place, she’d have to face him and right now, she was so angry, she didn’t even trust herself to speak without exploding. Her new apartment wasn’t ready yet either; she hadn’t moved in.

Jabco glanced at her face and seemed to understand. “Alright,” he said gently, keeping his eyes on the road. “I’ll take you somewhere you can breathe. Somewhere to clear your head.”

The car ride was silent. Lily leaned her head back on the seat and closed her eyes. Her chest felt tight. The lies, the schemes, the games everyone around her kept playing. She was suffocating.

Jabco drove and drove, the city lights slowly fading behind them. Lily didn’t ask where they were going. She let the night air brush against her face as the window stayed a little open. After almost two hours, the road became quieter, the streets darker, until she could hear nothing but the sound of the waves crashing in the distance.

He didn’t answer right away. Instead, he sat on the hood of the car, staring at the endless horizon. Lily joined him, wrapping his coat tighter around herself.

Finally, he spoke. “I don’t have any.”

She raised her brows. “None?”

He turned his head slightly, eyes still fixed on the sea. “The only reason I feel… comfortable is when I’m with you. That’s it. No selfishness. No hidden intentions.”

Lily froze for a moment, watching his profile under the moon. He looked calm, but she knew. She knew he was hiding something. Feelings, maybe. Pain, definitely. But if he didn’t want to say it, she wouldn’t force him. She gave him a small smile.

“You’re disappointed?” he asked suddenly, his voice lower now.

“Disappointed?”

“Yes.” He finally turned to look at her. “Because you clearly had feelings for Carson. Are you disappointed that he hid things from you? That he wasn’t honest?”