My Husband's Affair, My Anniversary Gift

Lily sighed as she finished another late night at the office—covering for Jenny, who had called in "sick" yet again. But when she finally dragged herself home and scrolled through social media, her stomach twisted. There was Jenny, cocktail in hand, laughing with a group of friends at some trendy bar.Of course. The realization stung. Jenny had never been her friend. Behind that sweet smile, she had been seething with envy over Lily's work ethic—and worse, spreading vicious rumors that Lily was sleeping with their boss, David.None of them knew the truth: she wasn't his mistress. She was his wife.Lily was used to the whispers, the sideways glances. She had learned to swallow the bitterness. But as she got ready for bed, her phone buzzed with a breaking news alert—a gossip headline splashed across the screen:"Billionaire CEO David Hardison Reunites with Ex-Girlfriend Marina at Exclusive Gala—Are Sparks Still There?"Her breath hitched. A photo beneath the caption showed David, devast

"David’s secretary," Marina drawled, rising from his chair with deliberate grace. Her eyes raked over Lily with slow, calculated disdain—from her sensible heels to her neatly pinned-up hair. "Hmm. I don’t see what all the fuss is about."Lily kept her expression neutral, though her fingers tightened around the coffee tray. "Can I help you with something, Ms. Laurent?"Marina smirked, circling her like a predator. "Oh, I’m just… assessing the competition." She paused, tapping a manicured nail against David’s desk. "Tell me, how does it feel? Playing house with someone else’s man for five years?"Lily didn’t flinch. "If you’re referring to my work, all records are up to date. Would you like me to pull the files?"Marina’s smile faltered. She hadn’t expected such precision—such competence. The realization sharpened her voice. "Cute. But we both know you were just a placeholder."She leaned in, her whisper venomous. "David told me everything. How lonely he was. How… convenient you were."

Lily never expected David to risk his life for her.Now, seated in the hospital room, watching the doctor clean and dress the gash across his shoulder, her stomach twisted into a tight knot. Guilt, confusion, and something softer—something terrifyingly close to affection—churned together inside her chest.The antiseptic smell hung thick in the room. The monitor beeped steadily, and David sat still, only flinching slightly when the cotton swab touched raw skin. Lily stood a little away, her arms wrapped around her midsection, her teeth worrying her lower lip. She hadn't said much since they arrived. Neither had he.The doctor finished the dressing, then glanced toward Lily. "He'll be fine, but he needs rest and careful attention. You're his wife, aren't you?"Lily opened her mouth but didn't know what to say."She is," David said flatly before she could respond. "Make sure she knows how to take care of the wound."The doctor nodded and began explaining the medication schedule and dress

Lily stepped into Noa's apartment, the soft click of the door closing behind her doing little to muffle the storm inside her chest. Her hands trembled as she removed her shoes, her mind replaying the scene at the hospital on a never-ending loop—the moment Marina's body jerked in reaction to the allergen, the panicked shout from David, the sheer terror of being accused, and worst of all, the cold fury in David's eyes as he pointed at her."You're home," Noa said, emerging from the kitchen, wiping her hands with a dishtowel. She frowned as she looked at Lily. "What happened? You look like you've seen a ghost.""I might as well have," Lily murmured, lowering herself onto the couch as if all the energy had been drained from her bones.Noa sat beside her, waiting quietly.Lily told Noa everything: the wild goose chase across the city to buy specific dishes, the discovery that David and Marina had already eaten, the theatrical performance Marina put on, and finally, the allergic reaction th

"You think you can just walk away from me that easily? After everything?""Everything?" she echoed, astonished. "What exactly is everything, David? You used me, threw a contract in my face like I was disposable, then paraded Marina around like she's your queen. What do you even want from me?""You're defiant. Stubborn. Always challenging me. But damn it, Lily..." he said, his voice low and husky now.She held her breath. The air between them crackled with tension, thick enough to choke."David…" she whispered, unsure whether it was a warning or a plea.His eyes dropped to her lips. "You shouldn't have worn red lipstick."She almost laughed. "What does that have to do with anything?""It makes it harder not to do this."Before she could respond, he leaned in, his lips so close they almost brushed hers. His breath was warm, and Lily's knees weakened despite her anger. Her hands pressed against his chest, but she didn't push him away.His heartbeat was rapid, matching hers."Tell me to s