My Husband's Affair My Anniversary Gift (Lily and David) novel Chapter 95

Later that afternoon, Jack William, David’s longtime lawyer and associate, came to see him in his office. Jack didn’t bother with small talk. He placed a file on David’s desk and leaned forward.

“Mr. Hardison , this can’t continue,” Jack said firmly. “I’ve already received three emails this morning. Two from clients, one from an investor. They’re all asking the same question, what is your relationship with Laurent? And why is your wife,never present?”

David leaned back in his leather chair, massaging his temple. “Jack, it’s just a storm. It’ll pass.”

Jack slammed his hand on the desk. “No, it won’t. Wake up! You’re letting Marina control the narrative while you stay silent. That makes you look guilty, David. Clients don’t like uncertainty. They don’t like scandal. They want stability. If you don’t clear this up soon, we’re going to start losing contracts.”

David’s face darkened. “So what do you want me to do? Announce Lily as my wife and break Marina publicly?”

Jack’s sharp eyes didn’t soften. “I want you to make a choice. That’s what everyone wants. Either you stand with Lily and protect your marriage, or you declare Marina and settle it cleanly. But this halfway game will destroy you. You can’t keep both.”

David’s fingers tapped on the desk, restless. He didn’t respond right away.

Jack’s tone dropped lower. “Think carefully. If you don’t choose for yourself, the business world will choose for you. And you might not like their decision.”

When Jack left, the office felt suffocating. David sat in silence for a long time, staring at the empty chair across from him. His mind was a mess.

The next morning, David sat in his office, shoulders squared as he look at a row of international investors. Their words were cordial, their smiles polished, but the undertones were sharp.

“We’ve been following the news,” one of the older partners said smoothly, “and it is always reassuring to see stability in both personal and professional spheres. Family matters, you know, have their way of reflecting on business.”

David’s jaw tightened, but his expression remained neutral. “Our business remains unaffected by outside noise,” he replied firmly.

Another partner leaned forward, voice laced with subtle implication. “Still, when such gossip spreads, clients and investors alike grow curious. People admire a man with loyalty and… clarity in his personal life.”

The air in the room grew heavy. David was about to shut down the veiled suggestions with his usual curt professionalism, his lips parting to dismiss the gossip, when the office door creaked open.

Slowly, his lips curved into the faintest smile. “Yes,” he said, his voice even. “This is Marina Laurent. The woman I love.”

The room erupted into polite applause, chuckles, and approving nods. The investors exchanged pleased looks, their interest clearly piqued.

Across the room, Marina’s eyes glittered like polished glass. She lowered her head shyly, as though overwhelmed by the attention, but the corners of her lips trembled upward.

“I didn’t mean to interrupt your important meeting,” she said softly, her voice honey-sweet. “I’ll wait for you outside, David. Please take your time.”

With graceful steps, she turned and slipped out of the room, closing the door gently behind her.

The applause faded into the hum of business talk once more, but David hardly heard it. His chest felt tight, his mind buzzing with conflict.

And somewhere deep inside, for the first time, he felt the invisible cage closing around him.