Dear Wife, I Hate You (by Josephine Mbanefo) novel Chapter 17

Chapter 17

Lilith’s Pov

I didn’t expect those words to come out of Killian’s mouth.

“Wait… what?” I blinked. “What did you just say?”

He looked me dead in the eye, no emotion on his face. “You heard me.”

My heart was pounding.

“They wanted to rape my so–called wife,” he continued, each word laced with disgust, “because she decided to get drunk and wander off like a child. I saved you, Lilith. And this—” he gestured between us, “-this is how you repay me?”

I stood there, stunned, my throat dry. I didn’t know. I didn’t even remember.

“I… I’m sorry,” I whispered. “I didn’t know. I didn’t think… it would ever be like that.”

Killian’s laugh was cold. “Of course, you didn’t. But what hurt me wasn’t that you were drunk. It was that when I found you, you didn’t even fight back. You looked like you were ready to let them touch you.”

I shook my head, tears already burning my eyes. “That’s not true-”

“You don’t have to pretend to be sorry,” he snapped. “I know what you are. I know you wanted it. All three of them. Maybe you were drunk, maybe not. I gave you the benefit of the doubt. But deep down? I know if you were sober, you wouldn’t hesitate to open your legs.”

His words hit me like a slap.

I went numb.

What… what did he just say?

A part of me shattered.

“You don’t have to be cruel,” I said, my voice trembling. “You don’t have to treat me like this just because you hate me.”

He stared. Unmoving.

“I didn’t want to say this,” I added, my chest rising and falling, “but my sister–Kate–she would never have fallen in love with someone this cruel. Never. You don’t have to hurt me just to punish me. You don’t have to become a monster.”

I was shouting now. My voice echoed in the hallway. My hands were shaking.

Then I heard a sound behind me. Footsteps.

Emily.

She had probably heard everything.

Killian, unfazed, raised an eyebrow. “Are you done talking?”

I didn’t respond.

I was too angry. Too hurt. Too broken.

He turned and walked away like I meant nothing.

My body caved in. I dropped to the floor and cried–cried until I couldn’t breathe.

Emily rushed to me, wrapping her arms around my shoulders. I buried my face in her chest and wept.

She didn’t say anything. She just held me.

When I could finally stand, she helped me back to my room.

I lay on the bed, curled up, my back to her. I cried again–long, heavy sobs that wouldn’t stop.

Emily sat beside me quietly for a moment. Then she asked, “Are you sure you can stay in this marriage?”

I didn’t answer right away. I didn’t know how to.

“It’s just a matter of time,” I whispered eventually. “I’ll get used to it.”

Emily frowned. “Lilith… you don’t have to get used to this. You don’t have to.”

I pulled the blanket closer to my chest. “I will. Just… let me sleep here for a little while.”

She nodded. “Okay.”

And then silence.

The kind that sinks into your bones.

When I opened my eyes again, I had no idea what time it was. The light in the room was soft, golden, like late afternoon.

Emily was still beside me, her phone in her hands, earbuds in, watching something.

For a second, I forgot everything that had happened.

Then I remembered.

My heart sank again.

“I’m still here,” I murmured.

Chapter 17

Emily turned to me, removing an earbud. “Yes, I’m still here too. But I was just about to leave. Thank God you’re awake.”

I sat up slowly, wiping my eyes with the back of my hand. “I feel… better.”

“Are you sure?” she asked, eyes soft.

I nodded. “Much better.”

She smiled. “Okay. I’ll come visit you some other time, alright? And remember what I told you. Stand up for yourself.”

“I remember,” I said quietly.

She got up, smoothing her dress.

“I’ll walk you downstairs,” I said, already swinging my feet to the floor.

“No, you don’t have to,” she insisted. “Lie down. Rest.”

I lifted my hands like a child asking for a hug, and she laughed. “Alright, alright.”

I walked with her out of the room, but before heading down, I ducked into the bathroom. I splashed cold water on my face, watching the reflection of my tired eyes in the mirror.

Get a grip, Lilith.

I dried my face, then joined Emily as we walked downstairs.

At the door, she turned and hugged me tightly.

“Take care, okay?”

“I will.”

She stepped outside and waved. I stood at the doorway until she disappeared down the path.

I closed the door gently and turned back into the quiet house.

I headed for the kitchen. My throat was dry. I needed something–anything–to ground me. I poured myself

a glass of water and leaned against the counter, letting the coolness slide down my throat.

As I turned to leave, something outside the hallway window caught my eye. Movement.

I walked closer and peeked.

Zoey.

But she wasn’t alone.

She was with a man.

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