Dear Wife, I Hate You (by Josephine Mbanefo) novel Chapter 12

Lilith’s Pov

The drive to the party venue was quiet.

The kind of silence that sticks to your skin and makes your thoughts louder than they should be. I was sitting next to Killian. Zoey and Nolan were in the car just behind us. And still, it felt like I was completely alone.

Killian didn’t spare me a glance. His eyes were fixed on his phone, fingers scrolling like he had more important things to handle than breathing the same air as me. I peeked at him from the corner of my eye. He was reading some documents.

Even now? Still working? God, when doesn’t this man work?

The silence stretched. The awkwardness was choking. At that point, I started wishing Zoey was with me instead. At least then I’d have someone to talk to. Someone who didn’t act like I was a mistake he was being forced to deal with.

I turned my head and looked out of the window. The city lights blurred into gold and silver streaks as we drove past. I tried to lose myself in it.

Then, the car slowed to a stop.

Killian’s voice broke the silence, cold and sharp. “Compose yourself. Don’t disgrace me.”

I turned to him, blinking. “Have you ever gone out with me and I disgraced you before?”

He didn’t answer that.

I shook my head slowly. “This is our first public outing. And that’s the first thing you choose to say to me?”

Killian didn’t even flinch. “I’ve said what I have to say.”

Then he got out of the car.

I stared at the door for a moment, swallowed the lump in my throat, and followed.

Outside, the night air was cold. Killian stood beside me, not saying a word, waiting. I felt like an accessory more than a person. But I held my head up.

We waited until the second car pulled up. Rue stepped out first, smiling, her confidence easy like breathing. Then Nolan came around. Zoey laughed and hurried toward me.

“You look fire,” she whispered, linking her arm with mine. “Come on, let’s enter together.”

Together,

That word warmed something small in me.

The four of us stepped into the venue, and instantly, the lights shifted. The spotlight hit us. I felt eyes. I heard whispers.

That’s her.

The killer bride.

The one who murdered her sister.

Each word sliced deeper than the last.

I wanted to vanish.

Zoey leaned in, still smiling like the world didn’t matter. “Don’t mind them,” she said under her breath. “It’s the gold dress. That’s all it is. You look too good not to talk about.”

I didn’t respond. I just walked forward. Slowly, steadily. Then I noticed something. The women in the room, they were looking at me too. But not with hate.

Some were watching with envy. Some with awe. Their eyes ran up and down the fabric of my dress, my makeup, my presence. And I realized… they wished they were me.

That tiny shift in energy made something snap into place inside me. My chin lifted. My walk grew firmer. If they wanted to talk, let them. I looked damn good. And I wasn’t going to let whispers bury me.

Zoey smiled, proud. “That’s my girl.”

Then she leaned in. “I’ll be back. I need to go say hi to the CEO of the modeling agency. Big deal. Don’t miss me too much.”

I chuckled lightly. “Okay.”

I stood there alone, eyes scanning the crowd.

Killian was deep in conversation with two older men, sipping champagne like he hadn’t just warned me not to “disgrace” him. Nolan was off to the side, laughing with some ladies in sleek black dresses. Zoey had disappeared into the social circle she belonged to, smiling, twirling her hair, shaking hands like a queen.

And me? I was just… here.

Alone. Useless. Out of place.

I started walking. No real direction. Just away from the noise. Away from the judgment I imagined behind every stare.

I moved to a quieter corner, exhaling slowly. That’s when I heard my name.

“Lilith?”

I turned.

And for a second, I blinked like I was seeing a ghost.

“Jayden?” I whispered.

His face lit up. “Oh my God! Lilith! What are you doing here?”

I let out a breathy laugh. “What am I doing here?”

He looked me over, eyes wide. “You look so pretty. Honestly, I had doubts it was really you. I just got back into town, and when I heard about the wedding, I couldn’t believe it. You–married to Killian?”

I nodded weakly. “Yeah… I didn’t plan it either.”

“I lost your number, everything. I’m so glad to see you.” Then he stepped forward and hugged me tightly.

It was Warm. Familiar. Safe.

I hadn’t realized how cold I’d been feeling until that moment.

But just as quickly, it ended.

“What the hell is going on here?” a voice thundered.

Jayden stepped back.

It was Killian.

Standing just a few feet away. Rage flickering in his eyes. His jaw clenched so tight, I could see the muscle twitching.

“Killian–wait,” I stammered, “this is just an old friend-”

He cut me off, loud enough for a few heads to turn.

“Of course. Of course. You started whoring around in front of everyone. I should’ve known better.”

The words hit me like a slap.

Before I could even react, he was gone.

My head spun.

What just happened?

“What the fuck?” I whispered, staring at the empty space where he stood seconds ago.

Jayden looked shaken. “Lilith, I’m so sorry…I didn’t mean to cause a scene-”

“It’s okay,” I said quickly, too quickly. “It’s okay. I’ll text you later.” My voice cracked as he gave me his number.

Then I turned and walked.

Straight to the drinks table.

I didn’t drink much. Never had. But right now? I needed to drown something. The ache. The humiliation. The confusion.

One glass.

Then another.

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