My Husband's Affair My Anniversary Gift (Lily and David) novel Chapter 395

Jabco felt the ground tilt beneath his feet.

“No,” he whispered, shaking his head slowly. “This can’t be…”

The man leaned down.

He kissed her.

Jabco’s breath quickened, coming out in short, uneven bursts. His legs weakened so suddenly that he stumbled back, his shoulder hitting the car as he leaned against it for support.

His chest hurt. Not a dull pain, but something sharp and crushing, like his heart was being squeezed mercilessly.

“That’s not possible,” he muttered again, his voice shaking. “It can’t be her.”

His mind raced, desperate to reject what he had just seen.

No matter how broken their marriage was, no matter how distant she had become, he refused to believe this.

Riyana wouldn’t do this.

Even if she didn’t love him, even if she hated him, she would never be with another man while carrying his child.

She had too much pride. Too much self respect.

She would never betray him like this. Not while she was still his wife. Not while she was pregnant.

He knew her.

His head was spinning, thoughts crashing into each other, when suddenly the front door of the house opened.

Jabco sucked in a sharp breath.

A woman stepped out into the soft light outside.

She was holding a little girl in her arms, maybe two or three years old. The child was laughing, her small hands grabbing at the woman’s hair.

Jabco’s entire body froze.

Because this woman...

This woman was Riyana.

His eyes locked onto her, and everything else faded away.

She was smiling.

Not the polite smile she used for others. Not the guarded one she used when she was tired.

This was real.

Warm, free.

She laughed softly as the little girl squirmed in her arms, and the sound pierced straight through his chest. He had missed that sound more than he ever admitted to himself.

They moved toward a chair outside, where toys were scattered. Riyana bent down carefully, setting the child on her feet, then picked up a toy and handed it to her.

Jabco couldn’t look away.

She was wearing a long, loose dress that flowed gently around her body. Her belly was round and full now . Her long hair fell freely over her shoulders, shining softly under the light.

She looked… beautiful.

Healthier than he remembered.

Calmer.

For a moment, he forgot how to breathe.

Before he could take another step forward, before he could stop himself, she turned back toward the house. She took the little girl’s hand, guiding her inside.

The door closed quietly behind them.

Jabco stood there, staring at the closed door.

His feet moved on their own, taking one step forward.

Then another.

His heart screamed at him to go inside. To open that door. To call her name. To pull her into his arms and never let her go again.

But he stopped.

His body went still.

What would he say?

He didn’t know.

“You don’t have to worry,” Riyana replied immediately. “I’ll take care of her.”

April nodded. She knew that already.

Riyana had taken care of Stella in ways April never expected. Cooking for her, bathing her, reading her stories, waking up in the middle of the night when Stella had bad dreams. Somewhere along the way, Stella had started calling Riyana “Mama Riya” without even realizing it.

“I don’t know how I would have managed without you,” April said softly.

She reached the bottom step and rested both hands on her belly. Eight months pregnant now. She looked tired, but her eyes were warm.

Riyana laughed lightly, trying to ease the mood. “Alright, I’m here now. So don’t be dramatic.”

April smiled, but her eyes shimmered slightly. Pregnancy made emotions heavier. She understood Riyana more than anyone else in this house.

“Babe, are you ready?” Nicholas’s voice came from the study. He appeared a moment later, walking quickly, already checking his watch.

“I’m ready. Let’s go,” April said.

Nicholas immediately moved to her side, one hand supporting her back. He took her handbag from her without even asking, as if it was the most natural thing in the world.

Riyana watched them for a second. A quiet ache passed through her chest. Once, she had dreamed of something like this too. A simple life. A caring husband and peace.

“Bye, my princess,” Nicholas said, bending down to Stella’s height. He kissed her forehead gently.

“Bye, Dad. Bye, Mum,” Stella said happily, waving both hands.

“If you feel uncomfortable, just call us, okay?” Nicholas said to Riyana, his tone serious.

Riyana nodded. “Alright.”

“I’m getting late. I have surgery,” Nicholas muttered, already halfway to the door.

April and Nicholas both are doctors.

“Don’t freak out. Let’s go,” April said, lightly patting his back, urging him forward.

They walked out together. Nicholas’s hand never left April’s back. Even now, even while rushing, he was careful.

The door closed.

The house suddenly felt quiet.