My Husband's Affair My Anniversary Gift (Lily and David) novel Chapter 51

David’s voice was calm but his eyes were sharp when he stopped the guards.

“No need to make a scene. We don’t want people to think we’re poor hosts,” he said, slipping an arm around Marina’s trembling shoulders.

The sight was unbearable. He stood there like some knight protecting her, whispering something only she could hear as he guided her away with such tenderness it made Olivia’s face darken with fury.

Olivia clenched her jaw. “Protecting her? In my own house?” she muttered under her breath, her chest rising and falling with anger.

Lily, however, reached out and gently held Olivia’s hand. “Mother, don’t. People are watching. If you get upset, Marina wins.”

Olivia looked at Lily’s calm yet steady eyes and slowly exhaled. The anger in her chest didn’t lessen, but she knew Lily was right. With her composure gathered, she turned to her guests and smiled as if nothing had happened.

Just then, a familiar voice carried over the crowd.

“Mrs. Hardison, happy birthday. Wishing you health and happiness.”

Lily froze. Her fingers tightened on her clutch, and her eyes darted to the man approaching. It was Jacob.

She took a sharp breath, almost forgetting where she was. “Mum,” she whispered harshly, tugging Olivia’s sleeve. “What is he doing here?”

Olivia glanced at her and answered in a low voice, “I invited him.”

“What?” Lily’s voice was barely audible, yet filled with disbelief. “But…"

Lily’s brows knit together in disbelief. Just days ago, Olivia had sternly warned Jacob to stay away from her and David’s marriage. Why the sudden change? The question burned in her chest, but there was no time for answers as guests turned to greet Jacob warmly.

Olivia gave her a look that silenced her. “I have my reasons, Lily. Sometimes we have to use the cards life deals us, even if we don’t like them.”

Lily blinked, confused and unsettled. Nothing about this made sense. Olivia had always been firm about David and her staying together, yet now Jacob was here—charming, calm, and completely unfazed as if he belonged among the wealthy guests.

Jacob greeted Olivia politely and handed her a carefully wrapped gift. “For you,” he said with a warm smile.

“Thank you, Jacob,” Olivia replied graciously, though her mind was elsewhere.

Lily’s pulse was erratic. She wanted to turn and walk away, but before she could, Jacob’s eyes found hers. They softened, almost tender. “Lily.”

Her breath caught. She didn’t answer, but something in her expression betrayed the storm within.

The party went on around them, music swelling in the background, laughter echoing, waiters weaving between tables. Lily stood stiff, feeling like her world had shifted in an instant.

Then Jacob extended a hand. “May I have this dance?”

Lily’s lips parted in shock. She shook her head, almost instinctively. “I...."

But then her eyes flicked toward Olivia. The older woman gave a slow, deliberate nod, her gaze firm but encouraging.

Lily bit her lip. She didn’t understand why Olivia allowed this, but she trusted her enough to obey. With a deep breath, she placed her hand in Jacob’s.

The two of them moved to the center of the dance floor. The moment his hand settled lightly on her waist, Lily felt her heart pound against her ribs. His touch was careful, almost protective, so unlike David’s possessive grip.

“You look tense,” Jacob murmured as the music carried them.

“Because this is wrong,” Lily whispered, eyes lowered.

“Is it wrong to dance with a friend?”

Her gaze shot up at him, but she found no mockery in his expression—only something deeper, harder to name. The world spun with the rhythm of their steps, and for the first time that evening, Lily felt herself breathing a little freer.

But freedom never lasted long.

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