Dear Wife, I Hate You (by Josephine Mbanefo) novel Chapter 49

Killian’s Pov

The door clicked open.

I  froze.

Lilith was beneath me. My hands were on her waist. Her lips were still parted from the kiss.

What the hell was I doing?

I stood up–fast. My body moved before my brain could catch up. Lilith sat up too. We both turned at the same time.

It was Maya and Emily.

Maya’s eyes widened like she had just walked in on a crime scene.

“Oh my God, I’m so sorry–I’ll leave you guys,” she stammered.

Then, she and Emily backed out. The door clicked shut again.

Clicked.

Why the hell did they click it? Were they hoping we’d continue?

I didn’t say a word. I walked over to the edge of the bed and sat. My heartbeat was still racing like I’d been in a fight. I looked at Lilith. She was fiddling with her fingers now, looking unsure, looking–guilty.

“So this has been your plan all along,” I said quietly, but there was venom under my breath.

“And now it’s worked. You kissed me–again.”

She snapped her head toward me.

“You don’t have to do this every time,” she said. “I didn’t do anything. It just happened. It wasn’t my plan. Why can’t you stop blaming me?”

I chuckled. Dry. Bitter.

“How do you think I can believe that?” I said.

“One minute you’re pouring wine, the next you’re on my bed. Planned. All of it.”

I stared her down.

“All calculated. Is this how intelligent you are, Lilith? Using your brains to get in my bed?”

She stood. Fire in her eyes.

“I’m a modest person,” she said.

“I would never lure you into doing something you don’t want to do. It just happened, Killian. Why can’t you allow things to happen without always pointing fingers?”

I stepped closer. Too close.

Her eyes. Why did they always pull me in?

But I shook it off.

“I will never love you, Lilith,” I said coldly.

“Whatever just happened will never happen again. Stay on your lane. Let me stay on mine.”

She blinked. Hurt, maybe. But not broken.

“I’ll never accept that,” she said.

“You’re my husband, Killian. We need to stop pretending. Let’s move past everything.”

I looked away.

“I’m not having this conversation.”

I checked my watch.

Mid–afternoon.

I suddenly heard the door click open.

I looked at her.

“The door’s open. Leave my room.”

“I’m not going anywhere,” she said firmly.

“This house is mine too.”

“Sure,” I muttered.

I grabbed my shirt and slid it on. Buttoned it slowly. Picked up my phone. Network was back. Good.

I adjusted my coat.

“Enjoy your stay,” I said without looking at her. “If this is where you want to be.”

“Where are you going?” she asked. “I’m asking you directly, Killian.”

“It’s none of your damn business.”

“I said, where are you going? You don’t get to leave every time things get hard!”

I didn’t reply.

I left.

I heard her shout something behind me, but I didn’t care enough to listen.

I walked down the stairs and saw my parents giggling at something on the phone. Probably planning their next luxury escape.

I didn’t greet. Didn’t disturb.

I walked out of the house.

Got into my car.

Told the driver,

Take me to the other apartment. I need to cool off.”

As soon as I got to the apartment, I stepped inside and shut the door behind me.

The silence was what I needed. No one calling my name. No one shouting. No Lilith.

I dropped my suit jacket on the couch and unbuttoned my shirt, letting it fall to the floor. I changed into a plain T–shirt and joggers. Something simple. Something that didn’t feel like my name had weight.

I opened a bottle of whiskey. No glass. I drank straight from the bottle.

One gulp. Two.

I sat down on the floor.

My mind wouldn’t stop racing.

Why the hell was I feeling this way?

About her.

Lilith.

I had kissed her again.

I didn’t plan to.

But it happened.

Why was I even thinking about her now?

I gulped more whiskey. The bitter taste stung, but I liked it.

It kept me grounded.

I didn’t care about her. Not really.

But why was my chest heavy like this?

Why did I want to go back to her and… just hold her?

No.

I wouldn’t be that man.

I took my phone and made a call.

A few minutes later, someone knocked.

I already knew who it was.

I stood and opened the door.

She walked in.

Tight dress Way too much makeup.

She looked like sex and trouble.

That’s exactly why I called her.

Because my body was screaming for Lilith.

And I hated that.

So this girl? She was my fix.

She followed me to the bedroom.

I sat down while she looked around and asked,

“You got music?”

I tossed her the remote. “Pick whatever.”

She smiled. Too brightly. Too fake.

I hated it already.

She started playing some slow, sexual song. The beat thumped in the background.

Then she began to dance.

Rolling her waist. Biting her lip.

She came close. Too close.

Her hands touched my chest, tracing down.

Then she tugged off my sweatpants.

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