My Husband's Affair My Anniversary Gift (Lily and David) novel Chapter 304

On the other side, Riyana still could not make herself believe it.

She stood outside the registration office, not moving, not even blinking properly, her fingers tightly clutching the thin piece of paper in her hand. The marriage license felt too light, too fragile, yet it carried a weight that pressed heavily on her chest.

Her eyes dropped again.

Husband: Jabco Grey.

The letters were clear. Too clear. There was no mistake, no misunderstanding, no space left for denial. Her name printed next to his looked unreal, like it belonged to another woman’s life, not hers.

Did I really get married?

The question echoed in her head again and again, but no matter how many times she asked it, the answer stayed the same. Yes. She had signed it. She had stood beside him. She had become his wife.

Her throat tightened.

Just a few hours ago, she had woken up in his house, wearing his shirt, her body still sore, her heart still confused. Then, without giving her time to think, he had driven her here, held her hand while they signed the papers, and walked out like it was the most normal thing in the world.

Like this was just another task completed.

She lifted her eyes slowly.

Jabco Grey was walking a few steps ahead of her.

His back was straight, his posture relaxed, his hands tucked casually into the pockets of his coat. His expression was calm, unreadable, almost indifferent.

Anyone watching him would think he had just closed a billion-dollar deal, not registered a marriage that had turned someone’s life upside down.

That contrast made something twist painfully inside her.

How can he be so calm?

Riyana slowed her steps without realizing it, her eyes fixed on him. He did not look back. He did not check on her. He did not even pause.

It felt unfair.

She was drowning in shock, confusion, fear, and anger all mixed together, while he walked ahead like nothing had changed.

“Mr. Grey…” The words slipped out of her mouth before she could stop herself.

He stopped.

Not abruptly, but smoothly, as if he had expected her to call him.

He turned around and looked at her. “What is it?”

That tone. Calm. Steady. In control.

She swallowed hard. “Is this… really it?” she asked quietly, lifting the paper slightly.

“We’re… married now?”

His gaze dropped briefly to the document in her hand, then returned to her face. “Yes.”

Just one word.

No hesitation. No emotion.

Her fingers trembled slightly. “You don’t feel anything?” she asked before she could think better of it. “No shock? No doubt?”

Jabco studied her for a moment. His eyes were deep, dark, unreadable. “What should I feel?” he asked.

That question hurt more than she expected.

She let out a small, humorless laugh. “I don’t know… something?” Her voice wavered despite her effort to stay calm. “This is marriage. It’s not a contract you sign and forget.”

“For me, it is a decision,” he replied evenly. “And I don’t regret my decisions. You know that "

Riyana looked away, her jaw tightening.

So that’s it. A decision. Nothing more.

Her heart sank.

Is something wrong again?

She didn’t wait for the ringing to stop. She swiped to answer immediately. “Hello?”

Lily’s voice came through the phone, rushed and tense.

“Riyana, do you know what happened last night?” Lily asked without even greeting her properly. “I’ve been searching everywhere. I checked the news, business portals, even social media, but there’s nothing official. Still… there are rumors. A lot of rumors.”

Riyana’s chest tightened. “Rumors about what?” she asked, though a part of her already knew the answer.

“Northstar Media,” Lily said quickly. “And John. People are saying he’s involved in some illegal dealings. It doesn’t make sense"

Riyana felt the blood drain from her face.

Her fingers tightened around the phone. “What?” she whispered.

Her mind went blank for a second, then panic rushed in, sharp and suffocating. She didn’t even realize she had started walking until she found herself standing right in front of Jabco.

Without thinking, she grabbed his hand.

Her grip was tight, almost desperate, as if she needed to anchor herself to something solid before she collapsed. She stepped directly into his space, her eyes burning with anger and fear.

“Didn’t you say you already handled everything?” she snapped, lowering her voice but unable to hide the fury in it. “Then why are there still rumors? Why is his name being dragged through the mud?”

Lily’s voice was still coming from the phone, faint now, but Riyana barely heard it. Her entire attention was on the man in front of her.

Damn it.

He promised me.

He promised he wouldn’t harm John. He promised he would stop everything once I agreed to marry him. That was the deal.

That was the price she paid with her future.