My Husband's Affair My Anniversary Gift (Lily and David) novel Chapter 257

When she finished, she stepped back, her hands lingering in the air before dropping to her sides.

“All done,” she said softly.

David didn’t move right away.

“You look tired,” Lily said, finally lifting her eyes to him. “You should rest.”

He gave a small smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “I will later.”

She hesitated, then asked, “Will you come back early?”

“Yes,” he answered without pause. “I won’t be long.”

That answer eased something in her chest, even though she didn’t fully understand why.

As he reached for the door, Lily spoke again.

“David.”

He stopped and turned back.

“Thank you,” she said. Her voice was low, but steady. “For staying. For everything.”

He looked at her for a long moment, his expression unreadable.

“You don’t need to thank me,” he said quietly. “That’s where I should have been all along.”

Then he left.

The door closed softly behind him.

Lily stood there for a long time, staring at the door, her heart beating slower now, but heavier somehow. She knew things were changing. She just didn’t know where they were heading.

And that scared her almost.

David had said he would come back early.

But when he finally returned, it was already past midnight.

The door opened quietly. He had the password, so there was no sound of keys, just the soft click of the lock and the slow push of the door. He stepped inside, tired, shoulders heavy, movements dull.

Lily and Danish were already in bed.

At least, that was how it looked.

Lily had waited for him for a long time. She kept checking the time, telling herself he would come any minute. But when the hours passed and there was no sign of him, she finally lay down beside Danish. She didn’t sleep. She just lay there, eyes closed, listening to every small sound, her heart stubbornly awake.

When she heard the door open, she knew it was David.

She stayed still.

She didn’t turn. She didn’t open her eyes. She wanted to see what he would do if he thought she was asleep.

David moved quietly through the room. He took off his coat, his tie, removed his watch. The sounds were slow and careless, like his body was too tired to be gentle.

When he lay down next to her, Lily caught the smell immediately.

Alcohol.

It was faint, but clear.

Her heart tightened.

“Lily…” David whispered.

She didn’t answer. She kept her back to him, eyes shut, breathing steady. Pretending.

For a moment, nothing happened.

Then she felt his arm move. Slowly, carefully, like he was afraid she might pull away. He pulled her into his arms.

Lily turned without resisting and let him hold her.

She pressed her face against his chest. His body was warm. His heartbeat was fast, uneven. She wanted to ask him so many things.

Why were you late?

Why did you drink?

What happened?

But the words stayed stuck in her throat.

David didn’t say anything else. His arm tightened around her, not hard, just enough to make sure she was there. Slowly, his breathing evened out.

They fell asleep like that. No words. No explanations.

Just silence and warmth.

In the morning, Lily reached out without opening her eyes.

The space beside her was empty.

Her eyes snapped open.

She sat up quickly and looked around the room. The bed was neat on his side. Cold. Like he hadn’t been there for hours.

“David?” she called softly.

No answer.

She got out of bed and walked out of the room. The apartment was quiet. Too quiet. She checked the living room, the bathroom.

He wasn’t there.

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