My Husband's Affair My Anniversary Gift (Lily and David) novel Chapter 343

His mouth opened, then closed. His jaw tightened hard.

“So now we’re going to fight like this?” he asked slowly, his tone low and dangerous, as if trying to hold himself back.

She laughed again, bitter this time.

“You started this,” she said without hesitation. “You always cross your line. Every single time. Just because you showed me some care… just because I softened a little… you really think that gives you the right to control me?”

She stepped closer, her eyes burning.

“Even my father never succeeded in controlling my life,” she went on. “So don’t even think you can. I told you before, and I’ll tell you again. You cannot control me.”

She paused, breathing hard.

“I’m not scared of your anger,” she said firmly. “I’m not the woman you want in your life. So if you want me to stay ‘in my place,’ then you better lose that ego of yours first.”

Her voice dropped, but the words hit harder.

“And don’t you dare show me authority again.”

Silence fell.

Jabco stood there, his chest rising and falling heavily. His fists were clenched so tight his knuckles had turned white. Anger rushed through him, thick and overwhelming, but mixed with something else he hated even more.

Loss.

He knew exactly what kind of woman Riyana was. He always had. Strong. Sharp. Independent to the point of being dangerous. But lately, she had been different. Softer. Emotional. Vulnerable in ways she never allowed before.

And he had made a mistake.

He had thought that meant she was easier now. Easier to hold. Easier to guide. Easier to pull closer.

He was wrong.

The more he tried to tighten his grip, the more she slipped away from him. And that scared him more than he wanted to admit.

He wanted her to rely on him. To lean on him. To need him.

But his ego wouldn’t let him say it that way.

And her pride would never allow it if he tried to force it.

They stood facing each other, both breathing hard, both unwilling to step back, trapped between anger and something neither of them knew how to handle anymore.

She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself.

Riyana looked down at the bowl of noodles, now untouched and cold.

“I was hungry,” she said softly, almost to herself. “After days. And now… I don’t feel like eating anymore.”

She turned away, walking toward the sink.

Jabco watched her back, conflicted emotions twisting inside him. Anger, Guilt. Fear, Possessiveness.

He wanted to say something. To demand answers.

But for the first time, he realized something clearly.

The harder he held on, the further she slipped away.

She placed the plate in the sink without another word and walked straight to the bedroom. She didn’t even look back at him. The door shut behind her with a loud sound, louder than she meant it to be, but she didn’t turn around to soften it.

Once inside, the silence hit her all at once.

Her chest rose and fell unevenly as she leaned against the door for a moment.

The anger that had exploded out of her just minutes ago slowly began to fade, leaving behind a heavy tiredness. Her hands felt weak. Her legs felt weak. Everything felt like too much.

She hadn’t planned to shout like that. It had just happened before she could stop herself.

Her emotions were all over the place lately.

One moment she felt calm, the next she felt like she might break or scream. She didn’t recognize herself sometimes, and that scared her more than Jabco’s anger ever could.

Slowly, almost unconsciously, her hand moved to her stomach.

It was good that he wasn’t here right now. She needed space. She needed time to think clearly. She knew he would come back later. When he did, they would talk. Maybe not calmly, but they would talk.

At least, that was what she told herself.

The day passed quietly. Too quietly. Evening came, then night. Jabco didn’t return. He didn’t call. He didn’t send a message.

He must be really angry, she thought.

She didn’t overthink it. In a strange way, his absence gave her room to breathe. She cooked something light, ate a little, then lay down early. Without his presence, the apartment felt bigger and emptier, but also calmer.

The next morning, she woke up earlier than usual.

She made herself breakfast, something simple, and sat at the table with her phone in hand, scrolling through the news without much interest. Her mind was still heavy, but quieter than yesterday.

Then her eyes stopped.

Her fingers slowed as she read the headline again.

And again.

Artist Elara White spotted with businessman Jabco Grey at hotel.

Her breath caught.

Her fingers moved on their own, tapping the screen. The words blurred for a moment before coming into focus. There was a photo. Clear enough. Too clear.

Jabco. Elara. Standing close. Too close.

Her hand tightened around the phone.

So that’s where he went.

A strange mix of emotions rose in her chest. Shock. Anger. And something else she didn’t want to name. Her stomach twisted, not from nausea this time, but from something deeper.

She stared at the screen, her face completely still, while inside, everything slowly began to crack.