My Husband's Affair My Anniversary Gift (Lily and David) novel Chapter 358

That evening, the house felt too quiet.

Riyana sat on the edge of her bed, phone pressed to her ear, listening more than speaking. The window beside her was slightly open, letting in cool air and the distant sounds of passing cars. Her mind wasn’t fully on the conversation. It hadn’t been all day. Everything felt heavy, like she was carrying too much and couldn’t put any of it down.

“Yes… I understand,” she said softly into the phone, staring at the floor.

A pause.

“Okay. I’ll call you later.”

She ended the call slowly and placed the phone beside her.

For a few seconds, she just sat there, not moving.

Then she heard it.

The sound of a car pulling into the front yard.

Her first thought was simple.

Rose.

She stood up without much thought and walked toward the window. She pulled the curtain slightly to the side, careful not to make noise, and looked down.

Her breath stopped.

It wasn’t Rose’s car.

It was Jabco’s.

Her chest tightened immediately. Confusion came first, then irritation, then something heavier she didn’t want to name.

Why is he here again?

She had meant every word she said that morning. She had pushed him away clearly. She had been harsh on purpose. She thought he would stay away at least for a while. At least give her space.

But there he was.

Again.

She watched him step out of the car.

Her gaze stayed fixed, unmoving, as if her body had gone completely still but her mind was running too fast.

Then something happened that made her heart nearly stop.

Jabco walked around to the other side of the car.

He opened the door.

And Rose almost collapsed into his arms.

Riyana’s fingers tightened around the curtain instantly.

Her eyes sharpened.

Rose looked unsteady. Her movements were slow, messy, like her body wasn’t fully under her control. Jabco held her carefully, keeping her upright. Rose’s head rested briefly against his shoulder.

For a moment, Riyana forgot how to breathe.

A strange feeling moved through her chest. It wasn’t just anger. It wasn’t just shock. It was something deeper, something that made her stomach twist painfully.

Down below, Rose suddenly lifted her arms and wrapped them around Jabco’s neck.

Too tightly.

Jabco froze.

Rose’s face tilted upward, too close to his. Her words came out soft, slurred.

“Mr. Grey… why did you lie to me?”

Even from the window, Riyana could tell something was wrong. Rose’s posture, her unfocused movements, the way her weight leaned fully onto him.

That realization came quickly.

But it didn’t make the scene easier to watch.

Jabco’s body stayed stiff. He didn’t respond to her touch the way someone would if they wanted it. His hands stayed firm on her shoulders, holding her in place, not pulling her closer.

Inside his mind, frustration burned.

He had never liked people who crossed boundaries like this. He especially disliked anyone who threw themselves at others without respect, without thought. And if this were anyone else, he would have already stepped away.

But this was Rose.

Riyana’s stepsister.

That changed everything.

He had been in his hotel room, trying to calm his thoughts, trying not to replay the morning again and again in his head. Then his phone had rung.

Rose’s name on the screen.

He almost didn’t answer.

But something in him hesitated.

He picked up.

Her voice had been unsteady. Too loud. Too emotional. Every word blurred together. She told him she had been drinking. She told him she wasn’t okay. She told him people around her were “not good.” Then came the words that forced him to move.

“Let’s go inside,” he said quickly to Rose, his tone firm now. “I’ll take you to your room.”

Rose mumbled something under her breath. Words about liking him. About not understanding. About wanting more.

He didn’t respond.

His mind was already on Riyana.

He guided Rose inside carefully, keeping his distance as much as possible while still supporting her. The door closed behind them.

Inside, the housekeeper Krit noticed them immediately.

“Miss Rose?” she said, surprised. “What happened?”

“She’s drunk,” Jabco said simply.

Krit sighed softly. She had seen this side of Rose before. She stepped forward quickly.

“Thank you for bringing her home, Mr. Grey. But could you please take her to her room? She won’t listen to me in this state.”

Jabco hesitated for a brief second.

But then he nodded.

He helped Rose upstairs, one slow step at a time.

While walking through the hallway, his eyes naturally scanned the doors.

He noticed which one was Riyana’s.

He memorized it without meaning to.

When they reached Rose’s room, he gently guided her to the bed. She fell onto it with a soft sigh, mumbling words that no longer made sense.

“Thank you, Mr. Grey,” Krit said quietly.

He nodded once.

Then he stepped out.

The hallway felt still.

Silent.

He stood there for a moment, then turned toward the door he had noticed earlier.

Riyana’s room.

He raised his hand slowly and knocked.