My Husband's Affair My Anniversary Gift (Lily and David) novel Chapter 96

Lily knocked softly on the polished mahogany door.

“Come in,” Claire’s calm voice floated from inside.

Stepping into the CEO’s spacious office, Lily found Claire at her desk, a stack of files neatly arranged, her assistant standing at attention nearby. Claire signed one last document and handed it over.

“Tell the team, we’ll go as planned,” Claire said smoothly.

“Alright, boss,” the assistant replied before leaving the office, shutting the door behind them.

“Have a seat, Lily,” Claire gestured.

“Thank you,” Lily said politely as she sat down across from her. “Did you want to discuss something important?”

“Yes,” Claire’s gaze sharpened as she pushed a sleek, black envelope across the table.

Lily frowned and picked it up, carefully sliding the card out. “This is…?” Her eyes blinked in confusion as the elegant letters caught her attention.

An invitation.

To the gala.

“I had already planned something tomorrow and can’t cancel it,” Claire explained. “So, I’m giving this to you.”

Lily froze, staring at the card in her hands. Her chest tightened. She bit the inside of her lower lip, trying to suppress the sudden rush of emotions.

David had asked her to attend this gala with him. But that was before the rumors, before Marina inserted herself into his world again. Now… there had been nothing from him. No call. No explanation. Nothing.

If she went, she would most likely have to see him standing beside Marina. Smiling. Pretending she was the only woman in his life.

The thought made her stomach twist. She wasn’t sure if she could bear it. Not because she still hoped for his explanation, she knew he never gave one but because part of her still couldn’t believe Marina’s every innocent mask.

Claire studied her carefully, noticing the hesitation in her silence. With a subtle shift, she leaned back against her chair, crossing her legs gracefully.

“You know who was really behind your stolen design, don’t you?” Claire’s tone was cutting, deliberate.

Lily’s brows drew together. “What do you mean? Didn’t we already find out....”

Her words faltered as the realization slammed into her.

Claire’s lips curved slightly, but her eyes were sharp. “Yes. Marina. She orchestrated the entire thing.”

On the day of the gala, Lily stood in front of the mirror, her gaze fixed on the ring resting on the table. Slowly, she picked it up and slipped it onto her finger.

It was the same ring David had placed there on their wedding day.

After the wedding, when she returned to work, he had strictly warned her never to wear it in the office. So she had tucked it away, wearing it only as a pendant on a chain around her neck.

Now, for the first time since their marriage, she was putting it back where it belonged,on her finger. But unlike before, it carried no weight, no meaning.

Once, she had thought it meant something, security, love, maybe even a future. But now, it was just a circle of Daimon, a memory of vows spoken but never honored. She lifted her hand slightly, studying the way it looked against her skin. No warmth. No attachment. Just a symbol of what was already broken.

Her lips curved into a faint, humorless smile. Fitting, she thought. Tonight wasn’t about clinging to what was lost. Tonight, she would return what no longer belonged to her.

Her heart felt strangely hollow. Perhaps because she already knew: this relationship no longer mattered.

A knock sounded at the door.

“Ms. Collins, the car is ready,” came Claire’s assistant’s voice from the hall.

Claire had taken care of everything, the dress, the car, every last detail.