My Husband's Affair My Anniversary Gift (Lily and David) novel Chapter 335

After a while, Riyana pulled back slightly. She wiped her face with the back of her hand, embarrassed.

“Don’t look at me like that,” she muttered.

“Like what?”

“Like you understand me,” she said. “You don’t.”

Jabco met her eyes. “Maybe not fully. But I’m trying. And you keep shutting the door before I can even knock."

Her lips trembled, but she didn’t look away lolthis time. “Because every time I open it, I feel like I’m losing myself.”

That hit him harder than her shouting earlier.

He leaned back in his seat, giving her space, but his gaze stayed on her.

“Then tell me what you need. Not what you think I want. What you need.”

Riyana stared out the window again, the lights from the restaurant blurring through her watery eyes. After a long silence, she spoke softly.

“Just… don’t cage me,” she said. “Stay if you want. But don’t hold so tight that I can’t breathe.”

Jabco nodded once. “Alright.”

Cristo glanced at them through the mirror, unsure. Jabco finally said, “We’ll eat here.”

Riyana didn’t argue. She didn’t agree either. But when Jabco opened the door and waited, she stepped out of the car beside him.

She had not taken a single bite at the gala. Not even a small snack, not even a sip that counted as food. Jabco has noticed that and the thought sat heavily in his chest.

As they stepped inside, Jabco placed his hand lightly behind her back, not pushing, just guiding her forward. Riyana did not react. She walked beside him, quiet and distant, her shoulders slightly tense, like she was holding herself together with effort.

A waiter noticed them immediately and came forward.

“Mr. Grey....”

Before he could say anything more, the manager hurried over, his face full of polite respect. “Welcome, Mr. Grey.”

Jabco gave a small nod. He did not say anything, but when his eyes briefly moved to the woman beside him, the manager understood at once.

“This way, please,” the manager said, already turning.

They were led to a private room, away from the noise and the curious eyes. The door closed softly behind them, leaving only the two of them and a quiet that felt heavy but safe.

They sat down across from each other.

Jabco looked at her for a moment before speaking.

“Do you want to eat something special?” he asked gently. “Anything you feel like?”

Riyana shook her head slowly. “No. I’m not really hungry.”

He knew that answer was coming. He did not argue with her, did not push. Instead, he ordered quietly, choosing dishes he remembered she used to like. Things she once enjoyed. He hoped something familiar might help.

When the food arrived, the smell filled the room.

The moment it reached her, Riyana’s stomach twisted.

Her face drained of color, and she instinctively pressed her lips together, fighting the sudden wave of nausea. It made no sense. The food smelled fine. It was food she had eaten before. But her body reacted as if it was rejecting it.

Jabco noticed immediately.

“What’s wrong?” he asked, leaning closer. “Are you not feeling well?”

He reached out and touched her face, checking her forehead, her cheek. Her skin felt normal. Not warm. Not cold. But she looked pale, almost fragile.

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