Dear Wife, I Hate You (by Josephine Mbanefo) novel Chapter 45

Nolan’s Pov

Walking into Killian’s office, I instantly knew something was off. His face looked like someone just punched his soul.

“Is this a good time to talk to you?” I asked.

He blinked up, like he just woke up from deep thoughts. “Yes, of course. Is there a problem, brother?”

I nodded slowly. “Alessio caught the guy. Zoey’s charming ex.” I added air quotes. “We’re going there. Do you want to come along?”

Killian ran a hand through his hair. “I’d really love to come, but I’ve got so much on my plate right now. If you can handle it alone, then go ahead.”

I shrugged. “Alright, just do what you have to do. I’ll handle it with Zoey.”

He nodded. I nodded back. And just like that, I turned to leave.

Zoey was already waiting at the mansion. She smiled and grabbed my hand like we were some Instagram couple.

I didn’t pull away. Not because I liked it. I just didn’t want to hear her nag about it for the next hour.

We got into the car. I told the driver the address Alessio sent.

“I can’t wait to see him,” Zoey said, giggling in a way that used to be cute but now kinda gave me a headache. “I can’t wait to see the look on his face.”

I stayed quiet.

Then she turned to me and started. “I’m sorry for everything, Nolan. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you earlier. I’m sorry I gave in to the blackmail. It wasn’t my fault. But I promise, from now on, I’ll tell you everything.”

I glanced at her, then out the window.

“It’s okay,” I said. “Let’s handle this first.”

She nodded. “Okay.”

My mind wandered.

Not to her.

To Lilith.

God, even her name sounded like a damn poem in my head.

I should be focused on the task. On justice. On the man we’re about to face.

But all I could think about… was her lips.

The way her eyes looked when she was mad.

The way she laughed when she tried to act like she didn’t care.

I’m losing it.

I know I am.

She’s my brother’s wife. I should stay away. I should push these thoughts out. But they keep circling like crows around a dead body.

I’m sick.

But it feels good.

We reached the place. Nothing fancy. Not trashy either. Just… there.

We got out. I called Alessio.

“I’m outside the building. The one from the address you sent.”

“One of my men will bring you in,” he said.

“Alright.”

Call ended.

Seconds later, some tall, serious–looking guy came out.

“Follow me.”

I nodded. Zoey did too.

Inside, Alessio stood tall like a mob king in a movie. We shook hands.

“My job here is simple,” he said. “Look at the man.”

I turned. Zoey turned too.

There he was.

Tied to a chair. Blindfolded. Hands behind the seat. Legs strapped.

One of Alessio’s men peeled off the blindfold.

The moment his eyes saw light, he screamed. “Oh my God! Zoey! Thank God you’re here! Save me! I don’t know what this is! I don’t-”

“You motherfucker,” Zoey hissed. “This is karma. Blackmail me and then ask for help?”

He stuttered. “Zoey, don’t say that. You’ve been through so much—”

“So much that you recorded a sex tape and threatened to leak it?” Her voice cut like knives.

She turned to Alessio. “Can I do what I want with him?”

“Go ahead,” he said.

She looked at me.

I gave a small nod.

She walked up, slapped him once.

Twice.

Three damn times.

The guy spat blood. “You’ll regret this! You’ll regret this!”

“No,” Zoey said. “I won’t. Because you’re not walking out alive.”

Then she looked at me. “What do you want to do with him? Should I kill him? I’m not a killer. I don’t cause pain. But… I want him dead.”

I looked at her. Then at him.

He was shaking now.

Begging. Alessio. Me. Zoey. Even the walls.

But this was Zoey’s call.

She turned to Alessio. Gave him the go–ahead.

Alessio didn’t even blink.

He brought out a gun, aimed at the bastard’s head-

Boom.

One shot at his head and he dropped dead on the floor with his body still tied to the chair.

I transferred the rest of the payment to Alessio. He checked his phone, then gave me that lazy smirk.

“You can call me anytime for jobs like this,” he said. “I know you don’t like getting your hands dirty.”

I nodded. No words. Just that nod. That was all he needed.

Zoey and I walked out of the building. She was too quiet. Her heels tapped against the ground like soft guilt.

“You okay?” I asked, not really wanting the answer, but I had to ask.

“Yeah,” she said quickly. “Just… this is the first time someone’s been killed. I mean, I faced back not to see it, but… seeing his body like that–it felt weird. Not scary, just weird.”

“You’re free now,” I said. “That’s all that matters.”

She nodded slowly. “Yeah.”

We got into the car. I told the driver to head home. The silence between us stretched like a thin rubber band about to snap.

“Do you want to get anything before home?” I asked, glancing at her from the corner of my eye.

She shook her head. “No. I just want some time alone. With you. I’ll be fine.”

I knew what she meant. Time alone. With me. Her idea of comfort. My idea of a lie I keep living.

We got home. The house was still. Our staff were gone for the day, as usual. Just the two of us, locked in this space that never felt like home.

Zoey went upstairs first. I followed. She dropped her bag, took off her necklace, and mumbled something about needing a glass of water. I told her okay and stepped into the bathroom.

I needed a shower. A real one. Not just to clean the day off but to think. My mind was a battlefield lately. My heart was an idiot. My thoughts were dangerous.

I stood under the water, letting it numb me. Then the shower door creaked.

Zoey walked in.

Naked.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify