Dear Wife, I Hate You (by Josephine Mbanefo) novel Chapter 20

Chapter 20

Lilith’s Pov

I woke up feeling like a human again. Thank God. After three whole days of being glued to that damn bed like a corpse in silk pajamas, I was finally able to sit up without seeing stars. I stretched my arms and yawned, almost forgetting I looked like a mess. Not that anyone other than Rose and Nolan cared.

Nolan.

Sweet Nolan with those soft eyes and warm voice. Always asking if I’d eaten, checking my temperature like some private nurse I never hired. He deserved better than Zoey. Much better. Too bad he didn’t know she was busy being loyal to everyone but him.

A knock on my door snapped me out of my guilt spiral.

Rose peeked in, bright smile as usual. “You’re awake.”

“No, this is my ghost,” I deadpanned.

She chuckled. “How do you feel?”

“Like I died and came back with attitude,” I said, stretching again. “I’m okay now. Tell Killian to cancel the memorial.”

“I’ll bring your breakfast up.”

“Do you want me to stay sick forever?” I gave her the ‘I’m watching you‘ look.

She raised her hands in surrender. “I’m going, I’m going.”

Once she left, I sat still for a minute, staring at the door. I’d made up my mind. Enough of Killian acting like I was invisible. If he wasn’t going to fall in love with me, he would at least notice I existed. I didn’t marry a man just to decorate his mansion like a forgotten antique.

He hates me? Fine. But two can play at this game.

I took a hot shower and smiled through it. Like, the kind of smile that says I have a plan, and it’s probably going to get me in trouble, but I love it. After drying off, I threw on my favorite brown tank top and the brown–and–black skirt that hugged me just right. Casual, flirty, confident. The kind of outfit that said, I may be young, but I’m not stupid.

Killian married a young woman, and I was about to remind him what that really meant.

I looked at myself in the mirror. Hair? Brushed and sleek. Skin? Glowing. Attitude? Locked and loaded. I sprayed my best perfume–the one that clung to the air like a dare–and made my way downstairs.

Zoey was already seated like a decorative plate. Nolan looked up with a smile that made me feel soft for two seconds. And then there was Killian.

He looked at me. That blank, unreadable look he always wore when he wasn’t actively ignoring me. I returned it with a smile so sweet it could rot teeth.

“Good morning, Nolan,” I said, sliding into my seat. “Thank you for taking care of me when I was sick. I really appreciate you.”

Nolan blinked, a bit startled but flattered. “Of course. Anytime.”

I turned to Zoey next. Gave her a long, slow stare. “Too bad I didn’t see you once. I thought we were friends. Silly me.”

Zoey looked like she swallowed her fork.

Then I looked straight at the man I married.

“And you,” I said, fake smile stretching. “Dear husband. It’s been days. Not even a knock? Not even a text saying. Hope you’re alive‘? I could’ve died.”

Killian didn’t even blink. Just lifted his coffee cup and took a sip.

Oh. Okay.

Rose brought the food, and I ate in silence, even though I wanted to throw my toast at Killian’s face just to see if he’d flinch. After I finished eating, I wiped my lips, pushed my plate away, and stood.

“Rose, can you help me upstairs for something? Real quick.”

She nodded and followed me.

As I climbed the stairs, my heart thumped faster–not from nerves, but excitement. What I was about to do? Yeah, it was risky. But I was done being quiet. Done being the invisible wife. If Killian was going to play ice, I’d bring the fire.

And oh, I couldn’t wait to see his face.

As soon as we stepped into the room, Rose looked at me like I’d grown two heads.

“What may I help you with, ma’am?” she asked, her voice cautious.

I flopped down on the edge of the bed and smiled. “Let’s pack some of my clothes.”

Her brows furrowed. “If you don’t mind me asking… pack them where?”

I tilted my head dramatically. “To my husband’s room, of course.”

She blinked. “Are you sure about that?”

“Very, very sure,” I replied with a little grin. “He’s my husband, isn’t he? I’m tired of sleeping alone. Don’t you think it’s high time I act like a wife?”

I swear Rose wanted to laugh, but she nodded quickly. “Yes, ma’am. You need to stay with your husband.”

“Exactly!”

We started moving back and forth between rooms, folding, grabbing hangers, stuffing things into bags. I was halfway through pretending I wasn’t shaking inside when the devil himself walked in.

I didn’t even blink when Killian walked in. I heard the door click behind him like a threat.

His eyes scanned the room, then landed on me. Hard. “What the hell is going on here?”

I turned to Rose and smiled sweetly. “You can go now. We’ll talk later.”

Rose looked between us like she was witnessing a duel–then wisely dipped out.

Once she was gone, I dropped the smile. “Oh, I forgot to mention–I’m moving in.”

Killian folded his arms, his jaw tightening. “Into my room?”

1 batted my lashes. “Well, I’ve never heard of a married couple sleeping apart. That’s just… sad. Don’t you think?”

“What is the meaning of this, Lilith?” His voice was low, sharp, like a knife gliding over skin.

I shrugged. “Simple. I’m your wife. I’m tired of being a ghost in this house. Time to live like a real couple, don’t you think?”

He took a step closer. “Really? That’s what you think this is?”

“No. That’s what I know it is.” I folded my arms right back. “You can scowl all you want, but I’m not backing down.”

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