My Husband's Affair My Anniversary Gift (Lily and David) novel Chapter 42

The next day, David was in his office when his men reported another name.

Jacob was also infected.

His thoughts tangled into a storm.

Two people. The same cold.

The same timing.

His jaw clenched until the muscle ticked sharply. There was only one explanation.

Intimate contact.

The idea pierced through him like a blade. His Lily—his wife—had been with Jacob?

David knew Jacob and Lily had met for the first time only at that party, and that day he had been there; nothing had happened between them. But after they left together—had something happened? When he returned home, Lily was already there. He didn’t want to believe it, but the doubt in his heart refused to leave.

David’s blood roared in his ears.

He didn’t stop to confirm. He didn’t wait for proof. Rage had already taken the lead, drowning reason.

Within hours, he had tracked Jacob down. The man was walking out of his house. He didn’t even see it coming.

David’s fist collided with his face before Jacob could react.

Jacob stumbled back, clutching his jaw in shock. “What the… David?!”

David grabbed him by the collar and slammed him against the wall. His eyes were bloodshot, his voice low and dangerous. “You dare touch her?”

“W-What are you talking about?!” Jacob’s voice cracked, half in confusion, half in pain.

David didn’t wait for an answer. His fist landed again, harder this time, splitting Jacob’s lip. The sound of the impact drew gasps from the few servants nearby, but no one dared intervene—Jacob raised his hand to stop them.

“You think I don’t know?” David’s words dripped with venom. “You carry the same virus as her. Tell me, how the hell did you get it if not from being with her?”

Jacob’s eyes widened in disbelief. His breath caught in his throat. “You’re insane! I never—”

The next punch cut his protest short, knocking him to the ground. David’s polished shoe pressed against his chest, pinning him there.

“Don’t lie to me!” David growled, each word sharp as broken glass. “I’ll kill you before I let you drag her down.”

Lily hurried into the grand venue, her heels clicking against the marble floor. The bright lights, the crowd, the flashes of cameras—it was all a blur. She was still recovering from her sickness, and the remnants of fatigue lingered in her bones, but she refused to let herself fall behind. Her mind raced as she scanned the room for the launch, her work, her responsibility. She couldn’t afford to falter now, not when months of preparation were at stake.

As she weaved through the crowd, Lily’s eyes landed on a familiar figure near the stage. Marina. Her posture was perfect, as always, every bit the picture of confidence and poise. But the slight curl of her lips betrayed her intent. She had spotted Lily almost immediately.

“Lily,” Marina’s voice rang out, carrying effortlessly over the chatter around them. “You made it.” There was a subtle bite hidden behind the sugar-sweet tone.

Lily stiffened, instinctively straightening her back. “Of course,” she said, keeping her voice even. “I wouldn’t miss this for anything.”

Marina laughed lightly, but it wasn’t a friendly laugh. It was the laugh of someone who knew she had the upper hand—or at least, who believed she did. “Oh, it’s admirable how you cling to David,” Marina said, stepping closer, deliberately brushing past Lily as if to mark territory. “Using your mother-in-law’s affection, manipulating him, all to secure your place at this launch. Clever girl.”

Lily blinked. For a moment, she just looked at Marina, her mind trying to process the venom wrapped in civility. Then she forced a calm expression, keeping her tone smooth, polite, but edged. “Marina, you’re wrong. I don’t manipulate anyone.”

Marina tilted her head, eyes glinting with mock amusement. “Is that so? Yet here you are, fresh from your little sickness, rushing to make sure you’re presentable, to ensure everyone sees you standing next to him. Don’t pretend you’re only concerned about the launch. We both know what you’re really doing.”

Lily’s hands tightened at her sides, gripping the strap of her bag. She could feel her pulse rising, but she refused to give Marina the satisfaction of seeing her flustered. “I’m here for my work. Just like you, I’m sure,” she said, her voice sharp but measured. “If you’re upset about attention being divided, perhaps you should focus on your own performance instead of accusing me.”

Marina’s eyes narrowed slightly, and she leaned closer, lowering her voice just enough that Lily had to tilt her head to catch it. “Oh, I don’t mind attention being divided,” she whispered, though the smile on her lips made it sound anything but. “I mind that your little games are making me look like I have to fight for what I deserve. David invested a fortune to make sure I got the spokesperson role I wanted. All because you needed him to look after you.”

Lily felt a flicker of heat rise to her cheeks, a mixture of irritation and disbelief.