My Husband's Affair My Anniversary Gift (Lily and David) novel Chapter 404

April and Nicholas joined the table, trying to make the atmosphere feel normal.

“Sit down and have breakfast,” Riyana said after a moment, still not looking at him.

It was simple, casual.

But for Jabco, it felt like she had just allowed him to stay.

He pressed his lips together and nodded slightly before sitting down.

Across the table, April and Nicholas exchanged a quick look and a faint smile.

They both understood.

This was Riyana’s way.

She would never say “I forgive you” easily.

But she would stop pushing.

And that was the beginning.

The next few days passed in a strange silence.

Not cold, not warm.

Just quiet.

Riyana did not start conversations with him. She did not ask about his work. She did not bring up the past again.

But she did not reject him either.

When he brought her water, she drank it.

When he asked if she needed anything, she answered calmly.

When he followed her around the house, she did not tell him to leave.

For Jabco, that was enough to endure everything else.

Staying in someone else’s house was not easy for him.

He was not used to it.

He was a man who owned properties, companies, entire buildings. Yet here he was, careful about where he stepped, lowering his voice, asking permission before touching anything.

But he did not complain.

Not once.

Every morning he woke up before everyone else.

He learned where the spices were kept. Where the plates were stored.

He cooked for her every day.

He stayed close to Riyana all the time.

Not too close to irritate her.

Just close enough that if she needed to sit, he could pull the chair.

If she felt dizzy, he could hold her.

Her delivery date was near.

And that thought never left his mind.

One morning, the house felt quieter than usual.

April and Nicholas had already left for work. Stella was still half asleep when Riyana walked out slowly, holding Stella’s small hand.

She looked tired but calmer these days.

From the kitchen came the sound of chopping and the faint hiss of something frying.

Jabco was there, as usual.

He had tied an apron again. His sleeves were rolled up.

He was focused on cooking porridge carefully so it would not burn.

“What is happening?” Riyana asked suddenly when she heard loud voices from outside the house.

The sound did not belong to their calm street.

Jabco paused and listened.

“I don’t know,” he said, walking toward the window slightly. “There’s a man outside talking to Nom. They seem to be arguing.”

“A man?” Riyana’s eyebrows tightened immediately.

She walked toward the window and looked out.

The moment she saw who it was, her face changed.

“That man…” she whispered. “What is he doing here?”

Her hand tightened around Stella’s.

“When did he get out of jail?”

“Jail?” Jabco repeated, confusion filling his voice as he stepped closer to her.

“Yes,” Riyana said quickly, eyes still fixed outside. “He assaulted Nom a few months ago. Physically. He was arrested.”

Outside, Nom looked scared. The man was standing too close to her. His posture aggressive. His hands moving angrily.

Riyana’s chest tightened.

“I’ll go talk to him,” she said immediately, turning toward the door.

But before she could take a step, Jabco grabbed her wrist gently but firmly.

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