My Husband's Affair My Anniversary Gift (Lily and David) novel Chapter 277

All day, Jabco barely spoke unless necessary. His tone was sharp in meetings. His patience thin. One small mistake from a manager earned a cold glare that made the room fall silent.

Riyana noticed everything.

She brought him lunch. He barely touched it.

She handed him files. He nodded without looking up.

The office felt heavy.

By evening, Riyana finally made a decision.

She had been sitting at her desk for almost twenty minutes, doing nothing, just staring at the drawer where she had kept the movie tickets. Her heart felt restless the whole day, like something was stuck inside her chest.

It doesn’t matter what he thinks, she told herself again and again.

I just want my heart to feel calm.

It was his birthday. She had forgotten it. That alone was already bothering her enough. If she did nothing now, she knew she would regret it later.

Slowly, she stood up, took the tickets from the drawer, held them in her hand, and walked toward his office.

She raised her hand to knock.

But before she could, she heard his voice.

“No, I’m busy. I already have somewhere to go.”

Riyana stopped. Her hand froze mid-air.

She hadn’t meant to eavesdrop, but the door wasn’t fully closed, and his voice was clear.

“I won’t make it tonight,” he continued. “You guys enjoy the party. It’s on me. I’ll be late.”

Then the call ended.

Riyana stood there, staring at the door.

So… he already has plans?

Her fingers slowly curled around the tickets.

He’s going out with someone else?

The thought came uninvited and settled heavy in her chest.

Why didn’t he tell her?

But the next thought followed immediately, sharp and cold.

Why would he tell you? You’re just his secretary.

Right.

She was his secretary. She needed to know his work schedule, not his personal life.

Still, it hurt more than she expected.

She pushed the door gently and stepped inside.

“Riyana.”

His voice startled her.

She flinched slightly and instinctively hid the movie tickets behind her bag, pressing them against her side like they were something forbidden.

Jabco was standing near his desk, his phone still in his hand. His eyes were sharp, watching her closely.

“Yes, sir,” she said quickly, forcing her voice to sound normal.

“I’ve finished all today’s work,” she continued. “So… I’m taking leave early today.”

Jabco frowned. “You’re leaving already?”

“Yes,” she replied, nodding. “I have somewhere to go.”

She bowed slightly, professional and distant, then turned around before he could ask anything else.

She walked out of his office fast, her steps a little unsteady.

Jabco stood there, frozen.

She left.

Just like that.

His mind struggled to catch up.

He had turned down his friends’ birthday party because he thought… because he assumed… he would spend the evening with her, like always. Even if it wasn’t official, even if they never said it out loud, she had always been there.

She pushed everything else aside.

Even if her heart didn’t fully agree.

In the bar, the music was loud but not loud enough to drown thoughts.

They were sitting in a private booth on the first floor. Soft lights, dark leather seats, half-empty glasses on the table. Jabco had been there for almost half an hour, but he hadn’t really been present. His body was there. His mind wasn’t.

He held his glass but hadn’t taken a sip in a while.

“Guys, do you know who I just saw?” Shina suddenly said as he returned to the booth. His face was lit with excitement, like he had just discovered something interesting.

Rogan leaned back lazily, one arm resting on the seat. “Who?” he asked, taking a slow sip of his drink.

Shina grinned. “Your lovely secretary.”

Jabco didn’t react at first. His eyes stayed on the glass in his hand.

“With a handsome man,” Shina added casually.

That was when Jabco’s head snapped up.

His eyes locked onto Shina so fast it startled him.

The table went quiet for a second.

Rogan noticed the sudden shift and raised an eyebrow. “What secretary?” he asked, though he already knew.

“Oh, come on,” Shina laughed. “Riyana. She’s downstairs. Drinking. Laughing. With some guy.”

Jabco’s fingers tightened around the glass.

“Ohh,” Shina continued, completely unaware or maybe enjoying the tension, “why are you looking at me like that? I swear, I just saw her. She looks… damn. Gorgeous. I never knew she could look like that.”

Jabco didn’t blink.

“You’re sure?” Rogan asked, glancing between them.

“Absolutely,” Shina said, nodding. “She’s wearing a dress. Not her usual work clothes. Very… elegant. That man with her looks close too.”

Close.

The word burned.