My Husband's Affair My Anniversary Gift (Lily and David) novel Chapter 89

David only grinned when she struck him. Calm, cruel. “Don’t you dare bring another man to me,” he said, low, a real dark thread in his voice. “Don’t you dare. If you try, I’ll bury you both.” The words were not a joke.

Lily stepped back, her breath coming fast, chest pounding. For a second she stood there, pulse in her throat, eyes bright with fury. He was impossible. He had no shame, no measure.

“Haa.” She let out one long exhale and turned for the kitchen, putting the bags on the counter with deliberate loudness. She didn’t want to give him the satisfaction of seeing her shaken. But her hands were trembling as she opened the containers.

David watched her move, then crossed to the small table and sat down like a man claiming his place. He didn’t eat. He didn’t move much. He just watched.

The room smelled like spicy noodles and fried rice takeout comfort food, nothing fancy. Lily set two plates out automatically, hands moving with habit. She forced herself to eat, chewing slowly, trying to get warm food into her stomach even though she had no appetite. She ate more to fill the silence than because she was hungry.

David broke it first, voice low. “There is a gala next week and you are coming with me,” he said without looking at her as he took his first bit of food.

She froze with a fork halfway to her mouth. “why should I go? I'm not going " she said, voice clipped.

“You must be" he points.

“You treat people like things,” she said. “You make scenes, you manipulate, then you act like it’s nothing.”

He looked at her then, slow, studying. There was an unreadable expression in his face and for a moment she thought she might be seeing something like regret. It passed as quickly as a shadow. “You promised me you’d do what I asked.” he said finally.

Her hands paused on the fork. She had promised, in a wheedled, desperate moment, to “do whatever he asked” if he helped her. It sat in her like a hot coal. She hadn’t wanted to promise but she had needed him to fix the LM mess. Now it felt like a chain.

“How long will you keep using that?” she asked, eyes flat. “How long will you keep twisting things so you can control me?”

He inhaled, and when he spoke it was quieter, almost reasonable. “Until it’s necessary. Until the rumors stop.” He looked at her.

She laughed once, a hollow sound. "why don't you just take Marina and announce her as your wife"

“No.” His voice hardened.

She set her fork down, anger and exhaustion mixing.

She wanted to spit at him. Instead she felt dizzy, sick at the idea of owing him anything.

She ate the rest of her food in silence. Burned, tired, nauseous at how small she felt inside the deal. He touched a hand to the back of her neck as if to comfort her and she flinched so badly she dropped her fork.

“Don’t,” she snapped. “Don’t touch me.”

He moved his hand away, surprised by the heat in her voice. He watched her finish the last bite and then stood. He left the kitchen. She started clearing the plates.

She finished the dishes. The apartment felt quiet and a little too big. For a second she thought David had left. Had he left? How could she not notice? She had been in the kitchen; she would have heard the door. She frowned, looking around.

Then she saw him: he was lying on the bed, propped against the headboard, one leg bent, his phone in his hand. He looked almost casual, scrolling as if nothing had happened all day. The sight of him made something in her chest tighten.

She moved to the wardrobe, fingers fumbling as she reached for the small blanket. “Where are you going?” David asked without looking up, his voice flat.

“I’ll sleep out,” she said, not wanting to argue. The words were calm but her hands shook a little as she walked past the bed toward the door.