My Husband's Affair My Anniversary Gift (Lily and David) novel Chapter 179

Morning sunlight spilled through the half-open curtains, washing the room in a pale, golden glow. David reached his hand across the bed out of habit but his fingers met only the cold, empty sheet. His eyes snapped open immediately.

For a few seconds, he stared at the space beside him, confused. Then he turned sharply toward the window the curtains swayed softly in the breeze, and that’s when he realized: Lily was gone.

He sat up fast, rubbing the sleep from his face. A quick glance at the clock made his jaw tighten past seven. He hadn’t slept properly in days, and exhaustion had finally caught up with him. He hadn’t even noticed when she’d woken up and left.

He stood, grabbed the towel that lay crumpled on the floor, and put around his lower. She hadn’t even bothered to pick it up. That alone told him she was still angry.

With a sigh, he picked up his phone from the bedside table and dialed Roy’s number as he walked out of the room.

“Bring my clothes to Lily’s apartment,” he ordered the moment Roy answered. Then he hung up and called out, “Lily?”

Silence.

He glanced around the living room empty. The kitchen spotless, untouched. The silence grew heavier, sinking into his chest. Something cold slid down his spine.

“Lily?” he called again, louder this time. Still nothing.

He walked back to the bedroom, and when his eyes landed on the empty space where her bag, laptop, and jacket had been, he froze.

Nothing. She’d taken everything.

“Did she really leave for work like this?” he muttered, his tone sharp. His heart thumped painfully. Her right hand was still in a plaster. How could she manage anything? And why didn’t she wake him up?

He raked a hand through his hair, pacing once, twice. Then he pulled out his phone again, trying to call her but the moment he realized his contact still blocked, he cursed under his breath.

“Damn it, Lily,” he hissed. “You really know how to test my patience.”

He had no choice but to wait for Roy.

Within minutes, Roy arrived carrying a fresh suit for him. David changed quickly, his movements brisk and tight. “We’re going to Lily’s office,” he said, buttoning his shirt.

“Yes, sir,” Roy replied, already turning toward the door.

On the way, David stopped at a café and bought breakfast a croissant and a cup of her favorite coffee. Even in his anger, his mind couldn’t rest thinking she might not have eaten.

When they arrived at the building, David didn’t even stop at the reception desk. He strode straight to the elevator, his steps hard and fast, the breakfast bag in his hand slightly crushed from his grip.

As soon as the elevator doors opened to Lily’s office floor, he came face-to-face with Claire’s assistant, Leo.

Inside the elevator, the moment the doors closed, David’s hand tightened around the breakfast bag until the paper crumpled. His jaw worked silently for a second before he muttered, “She really thinks she can run from me that easily?”

Roy glanced at him from the corner of his eye but wisely said nothing. He’d seen that look before and he knew what it meant. David Hardison wasn’t just angry.

He was furious.

As soon as he walked out of the elevator, David tossed the breakfast bag into the trash. His jaw tightened. He knew exactly what Lily was doing—running away from him again. But just to avoid him, did she have to push herself this far? She could barely manage simple things with that injured hand, yet she was already at the airport handling a project. The thought made his chest burn with anger and worry at once.

He ran a hand through his hair, pacing for a moment before another thought struck him—those divorce papers. The ones she had sent him days ago.

“Roy, drive to the office,” he said sharply.

Once they arrived, David strode straight into his cabin and yanked open the drawer. The papers were right where he had left them. He stared at them for a long second, jaw clenching tighter, then said coldly, “Call Lily’s lawyer. Tell him I’m ready for the divorce… but I have a condition.”

Roy hesitated for a second. “A… condition, sir?”

David’s eyes were fixed on the papers, his tone calm but edged with steel. “Yes. She wants freedom, fine. Tell her I want thirty million, the same amount I invested in her father’s company. That was never a gift.” His lips curved slightly, cold and determined. “If she has a problem with it, she can come to me herself.”

He wasn’t going to chase her anymore. Not this time. If Lily wanted out, she’d have to face him on his terms. David knew she couldn’t afford that amount with her assistant’s salary. He wanted to see how far she’d go to stay away from him.