My Husband's Affair My Anniversary Gift (Lily and David) novel Chapter 29

The next morning, Lily woke before sunrise. She’d barely slept—her head was full of his threats.

For the rest of the day, Lily tried to bury herself in work—emails, sketches, a bit of cleaning. Anything to keep her mind from circling back to him. But as evening settled in, her phone rang, the screen lighting up with a name she didn’t want to see.

Her father.

She debated letting it ring, but she knew better. If she didn’t answer, he’d just keep calling.

“Hello,” she said, her voice neutral.

“Lily,” her father’s tone was unusually warm, almost smug. “I’ve been hearing things. You’ve managed to get David’s attention again. That’s good ....very good.”

Lily’s brows knitted. “It’s not what you think.”

“Of course it is,” he said smoothly. “You have influence over him now. You should use it. Push him in our favor, maybe even win him back. It would be… beneficial for the family.”

Her stomach twisted. She could practically hear the unspoken words money, power, reputation. It was always about that.

“I’m not doing this for you,” she said, sharper than intended. “If I’m even speaking to David, it’s for my mother’s belongings. That’s it.”

He chuckled, as though she’d said something naive. “Whatever you tell yourself, Lily. Just remember you can’t waste this opportunity.”

She hung up before he could say more, tossing the phone onto the bed. Her hands were clenched so tightly her nails dug into her palms.

Not even two minutes later, the phone lit up again.

Her heart sank when she saw the name.

David.

Of course. Apparently, they’d made some unholy pact to ruin her peace.

She let it ring once… twice… three times. But it didn’t stop. Finally, with a resigned groan, she picked up.

“What?” she said, not bothering to hide her irritation.

“Good evening to you too,” David’s voice was low, calm, but with that edge that always made her feel cornered. “We’re going to a gala tomorrow night.”

“I’m not interested.”

“You should be,” he said evenly. “It’ll help put an end to the divorce rumors. You know… the ones dragging my name and stock prices through the mud.”

“Not my problem.”

“You look… presentable,” he said, his gaze sweeping over her in a way that made her want to slam the door.

“Let’s get this over with,” she muttered, stepping past him.

The ride to the gala was quiet, the hum of the engine filling the silence. She kept her eyes on the city lights flashing by, refusing to meet his gaze.

When they arrived, the grand hotel entrance was already buzzing with photographers and guests in glittering gowns. She pasted on the faintest smile, the kind that said I’m here because I have to be.

They walked inside, the marble floors gleaming under crystal chandeliers. Waiters glided by with trays of champagne, soft music drifting from a live string quartet in the corner.

And then, as if the evening wasn’t already cursed, she saw her.

Marina.

She was standing near the center of the room in a shimmering silver dress, her hair cascading over one shoulder. Her lips curved into a smile when she saw them, though it didn’t reach her eyes.

David’s expression didn’t change, but she could feel the subtle shift in his posture, the way his presence seemed to harden.

Lily had a sinking feeling this night was about to get much, much worse.