My Husband's Affair My Anniversary Gift (Lily and David) novel Chapter 183

David didn’t want to argue anymore. He ran a hand through his hair and forced his voice to stay calm.

“What exactly happened?” he asked.

Marina’s eyes darted toward him. She noticed he was still standing by the door, his posture stiff, as if he was afraid to come in. She let out a quiet, bitter laugh.

“In order to avoid suspicion,” she said softly, “you want me to talk about it here?”

David’s brows furrowed. He hesitated for a moment, then finally stepped inside. Lina, who had been waiting at the door, immediately stepped back, giving them space.

Marina was undeniably beautiful, she always had been. Her pale skin, the delicate curve of her neck, the faint tremble of her lips. Once, those things would’ve made his chest tighten. But now, all David felt was a strange heaviness pressing against his ribs.

The air inside the room was thick. Marina watched him carefully, searching his face for a sign of warmth, of the man she once knew. When she didn’t find it, a mocking thought crossed her mind.

If only she could pull him closer, make him remember how things used to be. Then maybe she wouldn’t have to live in fear anymore fear of being forgotten, replaced, or abandoned.

Lina took a step forward, ready to leave, but before she could, David’s voice cut through the silence like a blade.

“You don’t need to leave,” he said flatly, turning his eyes toward Lina. “You’re her agent. It’s your responsibility to handle this situation.”

The words struck both women like cold water.

Marina blinked, startled. It had taken her so long to finally see him again, and now that she had, he was acting as if she were a stranger. As if there had never been anything between them.

Her lips trembled. “David… she’s been busy handling my business lately. She came rushing here the moment she heard I was hurt. Why don’t you let her rest for a while....”

David’s voice interrupted, sharper this time. “You’re under her management. If her abilities are limited to this, then maybe I should consider finding you another agent.”

The words hit Marina like a slap. Her chest tightened painfully, and for a moment, she couldn’t breathe. Tears welled up in her eyes, blurring her vision. She let out a shaky laugh one that sounded more like a sob.

“You…” Her voice cracked. “If that’s how you see it, then why are you here, David?”

Her tone shifted, a fragile mixture of anger and heartbreak. “You can leave. I don’t need you to care. I can handle everything myself. If I die, it’ll be my own fault anyway…”

Her voice broke at the last word, and silence filled the room.

“What exactly happened?” he asked again, his voice calm but with an edge that made Lina’s stomach twist.

Marina said nothing. She stared at the floor, her fingers twisting the end of her bathrobe belt.

David’s jaw tightened. “You called me crying, saying something about being stalked, hearing footsteps, surveillance...” He paused, his tone rising slightly. “Now I’m here, and you won’t even say a word?”

Marina glanced at him quickly, then away. She wanted to speak but couldn’t. Her pride, her pain, her confusion everything tangled up in her throat.

If this had been before, David would have softened. He would’ve moved closer, lifted her chin, and said something comforting, just to make her stop crying. But that tenderness was gone now. What replaced it was an impatient frown, his eyes sharp, distant the kind that made her feel like a stranger.

Lina, sensing things were about to get ugly, stepped in immediately. “Mr. Hardison,” she said quickly, forcing a small, professional smile, “Marina has been through a lot these days. She’s been followed by someone recently we think it’s a crazy fan.”

David turned his eyes to her, silent but attentive.

Lina continued, glancing nervously at Marina before going on, “Sometimes she hears footsteps in the hallway late at night. Once or twice, someone knocked on her door, but when she checked, no one was there. She’s been terrified.”