My Husband's Affair My Anniversary Gift (Lily and David) novel Chapter 99

“Mr. Hardison!” another reporter yelled, his voice cutting above the crowd. “There have been so many rumors about your personal life recently. People are saying things about a secret marriage, about affairs… Can you tell us the truth tonight?”

The words sliced through the air. For a second, the gala hushed. Conversations stilled, and dozens of cameras turned toward David and Marina, hungry for his answer.

Marina’s hand tightened around David’s arm. Her smile didn’t falter, but a spark of triumph flashed in her eyes. This was it, the moment she had been waiting for.

David’s jaw tensed. He didn’t look at Marina, nor at the crowd of reporters. His eyes briefly flickered toward the hall where people were watching.

David’s head turned instinctively. His breath caught, though he didn’t move. His gaze locked on Lily, unwavering, unreadable but something in his chest stirred uneasily.

Their eyes didn’t hold. He looked away too quickly.

Marina felt the shift immediately. Her fingers tightened around his arm. Following his gaze, her smile faltered for half a second before she quickly masked it. But deep inside, fury twisted like fire.

Marina shifted, her voice sweet yet sharp. “David,” she whispered under her breath, just enough for him to hear, “this is our chance. End the rumors. End everything. Give them the truth.”

David’s hand clenched into a fist by his side. He hated being cornered, hated being forced. But the flashing lights, the clicking cameras, the crowd pressing forward, there was no room left to breathe.

Finally, he exhaled and raised his head. His voice was firm, steady, but inside he felt something crack.

“My only love,” he said clearly, “is Marina. She is the woman I stand by, and the woman I will always stand by.”

The hall erupted. Reporters shouted over each other, flashes blinded the eyes, and applause scattered through the crowd. Some clapped politely, others enthusiastically, but all eyes turned toward Marina.

Marina’s smile widened, brilliant and triumphant, like a queen crowned before her kingdom. She pressed closer to David’s side, tilting her head against his shoulder, her eyes glistening with satisfaction.

She look at Lily from corner of her eyes.

“Did you hear that?” Her eyes carried victory. “He is mine now"

David simply allowed Marina hand to cling to him, his face set in stone.

He didn’t say anything, but his hands clenched inside his pockets, his expression darkening slightly.

Lily finally exhaled softly, as if releasing the weight pressing on her chest. She told herself to stay still, to not let her emotions leak out where people could see. She reminded herself over and over, it doesn’t matter anymore. You knew this. You knew this long ago.

But even knowing didn’t stop the ache.

The applause faded slowly as the host of the gala came forward, welcoming David and Marina officially. The couple walked inside, surrounded by the cameras and flashes that followed them like shadows.

Lily turned her gaze away, staring at the sparkling chandelier above instead, blinking quickly before her eyes could betray her..

She whispered to herself, so quietly no one else could hear, “It really doesn’t matter anymore.....”

And yet her fingers trembled at her side.