My Husband's Affair My Anniversary Gift (Lily and David) novel Chapter 145

Lily’s heels clicked sharply against the floor as she headed toward the door, but she stopped midway. Her back was straight, her shoulders rigid. She slowly turned around, her eyes sharp, voice cold and steady.

“Mr. Bennett, I’m not Jacob’s girlfriend. We only have a working relationship. I don’t even know him that long, we’re not even friends. And as for you...” she let out a bitter laugh, shaking her head “I thought maybe, even with our different backgrounds, we could at least be friends. But I was wrong. Very wrong.”

Carson clenched his jaw, his fingers curling into a fist at his side.

“I’m not angry that you used me as your bet,” Lily continued, her voice trembling with suppressed emotion, “because Jabco is engaged to your girlfriend. But I really thought you were intelligent enough not to drag someone innocent into your mess. From now on, think before you play with people’s lives. And let me remind you..” her voice hardened, her eyes narrowing into steel, “I’m a married woman. I have no intention of having an affair with anyone. Not with Mr. Grey. Not with you.”

She hadn’t planned to speak so much. She had promised herself she would leave calmly, silently. But every scar, every humiliation she had endured in her life boiled inside her chest, demanding to be heard. She wasn’t going to let Carson, of all people, believe he had some upper hand over her.

Carson finally found his voice, low and shaken. “How did you know?”

Lily’s lips pressed into a tight line. She knew what he meant, the real reason he had come close, his true intentions.

“I was at the party last night,” she said flatly. “I heard everything. Jacob heard it too. You and Sofía’s little conversation.” Her eyes cut into him like blades. “So let’s never meet again. And don’t fool yourself, I’m not angry because I have feelings for you. I don’t feel anything for you. From the beginning I suspected something about your behavior, but I couldn’t put my finger on it. Now I know. So let it end here.”

Her last words were firm, final. She turned sharply and walked out, her steps steady, not once glancing back. She didn’t wait for him to say anything because there was nothing left to say.

Carson was left standing alone in the silence, blank, gutted, and furious at himself. For the first time, he realized the trap he had set had only ensnared him.

Her words struck harder than any slap could. His throat tightened, but no words came out.

As Lily walked out of the apartment, she let out a long breath. “This feels so good,” she whispered to herself. For the first time in years, a lightness spread through her chest. Everyone had always thought of her as a punching bag, someone they could insult, use, or control without consequence. But from now on, she promised herself, she wouldn’t let anyone treat her that way again.

She got into the elevator, her reflection in the mirror catching her eye. Her expression was calm, almost serene, but deep down she could still feel the fire burning. When she stepped outside, the warm morning air brushed her skin. She raised her hand and stopped a taxi, giving the driver the address of her new apartment.

The apartment was fully furnished, warm lights welcoming her when she unlocked the door. She didn’t need much, just a safe space away from the chaos. Lily carefully hung her clothes in the wardrobe, taking quiet satisfaction in how neatly they fit into their new place. This was her start, her independence.

Then she left early for work. Her day was packed as always, meetings, sketches, phone calls, and endless details about upcoming designs. But she didn’t mind the workload; it kept her mind steady, away from the things that tried to hurt her.

By evening, exhaustion tugged at her, but she forced herself to stop at the supermarket. She pushed a cart slowly down the aisles, filling it with groceries fresh vegetables, bread, milk, tea. Simple things, but to Lily they felt like a sign of stability. She wasn’t depending on anyone. This life was hers now.

The doors slid open at her floor. Lily stepped out quickly. Of course, he followed.

She ignored him, her keys clattering in her shaky hands as she unlocked her door. She stepped inside, ready to shut him out, but before she could slam the door, David’s hand shot forward, stopping it. He flashed her a crooked smile.

Her teeth clenched so hard it hurt. “What do you want? Why are you here?”

“Lily, I just want to...”

She didn’t let him finish. She shoved the door closed with all her strength. He barely pulled back in time; the door missed his face by inches.

For a second, he just stood there, stunned. His fists curled tight, knuckles white, but he forced himself to hold back.

“Lily! Open the door!” His voice grew rough as he jabbed the doorbell again and again.