My Husband's Affair My Anniversary Gift (Lily and David) novel Chapter 287

John noticed it right away.

“You didn’t eat much,” he said, looking at her bowl. “Is it too spicy?”

Before she could answer, he picked up the serving spoon and placed a meatball into her bowl.

“Try this. It’ll help.”

Riyana looked at the food, then at him. She smiled lightly.

“Thank you. I’m fine.”

She lowered her head, about to take a bite, when her phone vibrated again.

She did not need to look to know who it was.

Still, she glanced at the screen.

(Are you coming here, or do I come there?)

Her fingers tightened around the phone.

Even through words, she could feel his anger. The impatience. The warning hidden beneath it.

This was Jabco Grey. The man who never liked being ignored. The man who always got what he wanted.

Riyana exhaled slowly.

She did not reply.

She finished her food quietly, ignoring the vibration that followed. When they stood up and paid, she felt that heavy gaze again, burning from across the street.

Outside the stall, she turned to John.

“I’m sorry,” she said gently. “I have to stop by somewhere. I’ll take a cab.”

John looked disappointed for a moment, but he did not question her.

“Alright,” he said. “I’ll call you later.”

She nodded.

“Okay.”

She waited as John got into his car. As he pulled away, Riyana lifted her hand and waved.

Only then did she look toward the black car again.

Jabco was sitting inside, hands on the steering wheel, jaw tight, eyes fixed on her. Even from this distance, she could tell he was furious.

Her hands curled into fists at her sides.

She did not understand why he was acting like this.

She walked toward the car without hurrying.

Inside, the man behind the wheel was burning with impatience. Jabco’s gaze never left her for even a second. He watched every step she took, every sway of her body as she crossed the road toward him.

She looked nothing like the Riyana he had known for ten years.

This was not the woman who used to rush to him the moment he called, breathless, focused, always one step behind him. This Riyana walked slowly, calmly, like she knew exactly what she was doing. Like she was daring him to lose control.

Her clothes were different too. No black pants. No stiff jackets. A skirt hugged her hips, showing curves he had never allowed himself to notice before. High heels clicked against the ground, each sound sharp and clear, nothing like the silent steps she used to take behind him in corridors.

Every click felt like a reminder.

This is who she is.

Not just your secretary.

Jabco hated it.

He hated that other men could see her like this. He hated that she was laughing moments ago, smiling so freely at someone else. The thought of her sitting across from another man, sharing food, sharing comfort, made his blood boil.

The passenger door opened and closed.

Riyana sat down and turned slightly toward him.

“Yes, Mr. Grey?” she asked calmly. “Do you have any work with me?"

That tone.

Unforgiving.

Riyana was completely caught off guard.

She had liked him for so long. Too long. There were nights when she had imagined it, quietly, shamefully. What it would feel like if he ever kissed her. Just once. She had never believed it would actually happen in this lifetime.

But now he was kissing her.

And the most dangerous part was this: she did not hate it.

Her heart was racing so hard it hurt. Her body reacted before her mind could. She wanted to hold him, to lean in, to return the kiss she had dreamed of for years. Every part of her was screaming to give in.

But she couldn’t.

Because this was not real.

This was not the Jabco Grey she knew.

The Jabco she knew loved someone else. He had loved Lily for years. Seven long years of silent devotion, circling around her, knowing very well she would never belong to him. That was the man Riyana had stood beside. That was the man she had supported without ever crossing a line.

So how could she believe this now?

How could she believe that this sudden fire was anything more than impulse, pride, possession?

Her thoughts scattered when she felt his hand slide beneath the fabric at her waist. His palm was warm, rough, too sure of itself, tracing the curve of her body as if testing how far she would let him go.

A sharp fear cut through her haze.

If she didn’t stop him now, he wouldn’t stop. Not here. Not tonight.

Riyana shut her eyes and made a reckless choice.

She bit him so hard.

Jabco sucked in a sharp breath and finally pulled back. His face hovered inches away from hers, breath uneven, eyes dark.

He lifted a finger to his lip and stared at the smear of blood there, almost amused.

“You bit me?” he asked, his voice low, unreadable.