Dear Wife, I Hate You (by Josephine Mbanefo) novel Chapter 19

Chapter 19

Nolan’s Pov

Massaging her feet didn’t feel weird at all. In fact, it felt… natural. Like something I was supposed to do. Something she needed.

“I don’t think you should be doing this,” Lilith said quietly, her voice a fragile whisper. “It’s not necessary. I’m okay.”

I looked at her. Pale skin, tired eyes, but still managing to be breathtaking. “I know you’re not okay,” I replied, keeping my tone gentle. “Just let me do it.”

She hesitated. “Are you sure? Do you think anyone will have a problem with it?”

“Anyone can have a problem with it,” I said, shrugging lightly. “But you’re sick, Lilith. You need all the care you can get.”

That made her smile faintly. She lay her head back against the pillow, letting herself relax.

I kept my eyes on her–those eyes that always seemed to carry the weight of things unspoken. Even sick, she looked beautiful. Too beautiful. Her lashes fluttered as she blinked slowly, and I couldn’t stop staring.

“How are you feeling now?” I asked softly.

She shook her head. “I’m okay… just tired.”

Right then, there was a knock, and Rose stepped in. Her eyes widened slightly when she saw me at the edge of the bed, my hands on Lilith’s feet. I sat up straighter and gave her some distance.

“Good evening, Mr. Nolan,” Rose said, her voice a little surprised.

I nodded politely. “Good evening.”

She set a tray of food on the small table. “I brought something warm for her to eat. I’ll feed her now.”

“It’s fine,” I said quickly, rising to my feet. “I’ll take care of it. You’ve done enough for today. Take some time to

rest.”

Rose hesitated. “Oh… no, I don’t mind-”

“I do,” I said, meeting her eyes. “Please, Rose. I’ve got this.”

She gave in with a small nod. “Alright. I’ll be just outside if you need anything.”

Once the door closed behind her, I turned to the table and picked up the tray. “You don’t have to do this,” Lilith murmured, eyes on me.

“I insist.”

I sat beside her again, lifting the spoon carefully. I had never done this before–never fed anyone, never served anyone. Everything had always been handed to me. Done for me. But now? Now I wanted to do something for her.

She opened her mouth slowly, taking the first spoonful. Her lips brushed the edge of the spoon and–damn. I swallowed hard, distracted by the softness of her mouth.

I shouldn’t be doing this.

I kept feeding her, each movement slow and careful. She took the food quietly, without protest, and I didn’t know how something so simple could feel so intimate. So intense.

At one point, her lips grazed my fingertips, and I had to shift my position slightly–my trousers were betraying me. I turned my body just enough so she wouldn’t notice.

Get it together, Nolan.

After a few more spoons, she pulled back gently. “I’m okay now… I think I’ve had enough.”

I nodded, setting the tray down. “Alright. You need to rest.”

She blinked sleepily. “Maybe I’ll see you in the morning.”

“Of course.”

She looked up at me. “Thank you… for everything.”

“You don’t have to thank me,” I replied. “You’re my brother’s wife. That makes us family too.”

I didn’t know why I said that. Maybe to ground myself. Maybe to protect her from whatever weird tension was growing between us. Maybe to remind myself of the line I wasn’t supposed to cross.

She gave a soft nod and closed her eyes.

I left the room quietly, the warmth of her still lingering on my fingertips. I didn’t go straight to Killian’s room like I intended. Instead, I found myself heading for the shower. I needed to clear my head. Badly.

I shut the door behind me and pulled off my clothes, letting them fall to the floor. The hot water helped, but not enough. My body was tense. My thoughts were tangled. I closed my eyes and leaned into the shower, trying to clear my mind, but all I could see was Lilith’s face. Her soft eyes. The way her lips curved when she smiled. The way she trusted me.

Damn it.

I stayed under the water longer than necessary. When I stepped out, I wrapped a towel around my waist and walked into my room, only to see Zoey.

Lying on my bed. In lingerie. The kind that screams one thing.

She looked at me like I was supposed to say something. Like I was supposed to want her.

I didn’t.

I didn’t say a word. I just walked to my wardrobe and pulled out my clothes, pretending she wasn’t there.

“You’re really going to act like you didn’t see me?” she asked, her voice sharp.

“I saw you,” I said flatly, buttoning up my shirt.

“So why are you getting dressed?” she asked, her tone turning sultry. “Come to bed.”

“I don’t have time for that.”

“Where are you coming from, then? What’s more important than this?”

I turned to face her. “Lilith. She’s sick. I thought you’d be there for her. She’s your friend, right?”

Zoey went quiet. Then she muttered, “I thought so too.”

I didn’t bother asking what she meant. I didn’t care. I finished dressing and headed for the door.

“You’re going to leave me hanging?” she snapped, walking toward me.

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