My Husband's Affair My Anniversary Gift (Lily and David) novel Chapter 382

David scoffed softly.

“I have no intention of lecturing you,” he said. “I’m talking to you because of my wife.”

Jabco froze slightly.

“My wife is stressed,” David continued, his voice calmer but no less serious. “And it’s because of your wife.” He looked straight at Jabco. “So grow up. Handle your own problems instead of creating new ones.”

He paused, then tilted his head. “Are you really that confident that Riyana is happy with you?”

The question lingered. Jabco didn’t answer.

David didn’t wait.

“If she were truly happy,” David went on, “she wouldn’t have gone elsewhere to ask for help.” His eyes sharpened. “She would have come to you.”

Jabco’s chest tightened.

“No matter how bad my relationship with Lily was,” David said slowly, “she always came to me first. She asked me before doing anything. She didn’t go behind my back.” He stepped closer again and pressed a finger lightly against Jabco’s chest. “That’s how a woman shows how important you are in her life.”

Jabco felt his breath catch.

“Think with your heart,” David said quietly. “Not your pride.” He straightened. “Don’t be selfish. Just because you forced her to marry you doesn’t mean she’ll stay forever.”

His voice softened, but the words became sharper. “You’ve seen the example standing right in front of you.” He gave a small, knowing smile. “Try to understand her. Otherwise, one day she’ll leave. And you won’t even know when it happened.”

With that, David turned and walked into the stall, leaving Jabco standing alone.

For a moment, Jabco didn’t move.

He stood there like a statue, staring at his own reflection in the mirror. His mind went completely blank. No thoughts. No anger. Just a heavy emptiness pressing down on his chest.

He reached into his pocket with trembling fingers and pulled out a cigarette.

He lit it.

The flame flickered briefly before disappearing. He took a long drag, the smoke filling his lungs, burning slightly. He let it out slowly, watching his reflection blur through the thin haze.

After a while, David came out.

He washed his hands calmly, as if nothing had happened. As he turned to leave, Jabco finally spoke.

“What do you know?” Jabco asked quietly. “What help did she ask from you?”

That was the only thing echoing in his head now.

She doesn’t trust me… but she trusts him?

David paused at the door.

“She didn’t ask me for anything,” he said without turning around. “It was Lily.” He glanced back briefly. “And think carefully about what she would ask.”

He opened the door. “Think about the problems she’s been facing recently.” His voice dropped. “If you don’t even know what she’s struggling with, then let her go. Don’t cage her.”

The door closed behind him.

Jabco stayed there.

“Her recent problem…” he murmured to himself.

His mind raced backward. Scenes flashed in his head.

Money.

The realization hit him hard.

He remembered accusing her. Accusing her of asking another man for money. His chest tightened painfully. It wasn’t another man. It was Lily.

Guilt washed over him, heavy and suffocating.

David was right.

He knew nothing.

Riyana noticed it too.

That silent relief passed between them without words. Whatever had happened inside, at least it hadn’t turned ugly on the surface.

David reached out and took the painting from Lily’s hand without asking. His fingers brushed hers briefly, a familiar gesture that felt natural.

“Let’s go,” he said, already turning away.

Lily gestured to Riyana with her chin.

Riyana nodded.

She walked with Lily and Danish toward the elevator, keeping her steps slow and measured. Jabco followed behind them, his presence heavy, unspoken. When the elevator doors opened, they all stepped inside one by one.

The space felt suddenly too small.

No one spoke.

Danish leaned against David, sleepy and quiet now. David stood near the door, one hand resting protectively on his son’s shoulder. Jabco stood in the middle, arms relaxed by his sides, his face calm but distant.

Riyana and Lily stood slightly behind them.

The elevator moved downward in silence.

The soft hum of the machine filled the space, along with the faint sound of cables sliding. Every second felt longer than it should have. Riyana stared at the changing floor numbers without really seeing them.

Lily watched her face from the corner of her eye, worry deepening with every passing moment.

When the elevator doors finally opened, they stepped out.

The group naturally split.

David walked ahead with Danish, his attention focused on his son. Jabco followed a little behind them, his long strides steady, his gaze fixed forward.

Riyana and Lily lagged behind.