My Husband's Affair My Anniversary Gift (Lily and David) novel Chapter 325

Riyana let out a slow breath and turned slightly, resting her face against his chest.

His heartbeat was steady under her ear. Strong. Constant. It made her chest ache in a way she didn’t want to understand. She curled her fingers lightly into his tshirt and closed her eyes.

For a few moments, neither of them spoke.

Then his voice broke the silence, low and careful.

“Does this happen often?”

Her eyes opened instantly.

She knew what he meant.

She stayed still, staring at nothing.

“It doesn’t matter,” she replied slowly.

Her voice sounded calm, but her fingers tightened against his chest.

“It matters to me,” he said.

There was no force in his tone. No command. Just honesty.

That was what made it dangerous.

Riyana clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palm. A bitter laugh escaped her lips, dry and sharp.

“Why?” she asked, pulling her face back so she could look at him. “Because you like playing the caring husband now?”

His jaw tightened. She felt it beneath her cheek when she leaned back again. For a second, she thought he might snap. She knew his temper.

But he didn’t.

“Because you look like you’re carrying too much,” he said quietly, “and pretending it’s nothing.”

The words hit her harder than any shout ever could.

Her breath caught.

That was too close. Too accurate.

She lifted her head and looked at him fully now. His face was calm, but his eyes weren’t. They were sharp, focused on her like he was trying to read something she didn’t want him to see.

“Stop acting like you understand me,” she said.

Her voice was tighter now.

“I don’t,” he admitted, looking down at her. “But I want to.”

Her chest rose and fell faster. Her heart began to pound, not with anger, but with panic. That was the problem. Him wanting to understand. Him caring.

“That’s the problem,” she snapped softly. “I didn’t ask you to.”

He didn’t argue.

Instead, he raised his hand slowly, giving her time to pull away if she wanted to. His fingers brushed through her hair, light and careful, as if she might break if he moved too fast. The touch was warm. Steady. Comforting in a way she hated.

“You didn’t ask for a lot of things,” he said, “that still happened to you.”

Her vision froze.

For a brief moment, the wall she had built cracked.

Fear flickered in her eyes before she could stop it.

She dropped her gaze instantly, pressing her face back against his chest, as if hiding there could erase his words.

“Don’t talk about things you don’t know,” she said quietly.

Her voice was lower now. Less sharp. More fragile than she wanted it to be.

“And let me sleep.”

Jabco didn’t push. He didn’t ask again. His hand stayed in her hair for a few seconds longer, then rested on her back, firm and protective.

The benefits of being Mrs. Grey.

The thought made something twist painfully inside her chest.

Riyana let out a small laugh. Not a happy one. Not even amused. Just bitter.

She lifted her lips slightly and said, “What benefits?” Her voice was light, but the irony underneath it was sharp. “I can’t even go public.”

Anyone could hear the sarcasm in her words.

Jabco didn’t flinch.

“That was your condition,” he replied calmly. “I never stopped you. If you want, I can announce our relationship right now. I’m not afraid of anyone.”

As he spoke, he walked toward her.

Riyana didn’t move.

He stopped right in front of her. Close enough that she could feel his presence, his warmth. He raised his hands and gently held her face, his thumbs resting lightly near her cheeks.

“You are my wife,” he said seriously. “I chose you myself. You know me well enough to know I don’t regret my choices.”

His eyes held hers steadily.

“And I only choose the best.”

Her heart started beating so fast she could feel it in her throat.

Her face flushed before she could stop it. She hated that reaction. Hated how easily he could do this to her with just words and a look.

Before she could say anything, a sharp sound cut through the moment.

“Ding dong…”

The video intercom on the wall rang suddenly.