Dear Wife, I Hate You (by Josephine Mbanefo) novel Chapter 5

Lilith's Pov

I didn’t even know where the courage came from.

The courage to sit beside my so-called husband, watching another woman almost naked in front of us.

I wanted to throw the glass in my hand. I wanted to scream. I wanted to destroy everything near me. But I stayed calm. I kept my face cold, like nothing touched me.

And I had no idea why I told her to touch him.

Maybe I was testing something. Maybe I just wanted to feel numb. But it wasn’t jealousy. Not even a little.

She was still standing there, unsure. Then suddenly, she started walking toward Killian.

She hesitated at first, but then moved like she had done this many times before. Her hips swayed slowly, almost like she was trying to seduce both of us.

When she reached him, she placed her hand gently on his chest.

Her fingers moved slowly, like she was trying to make love to him with just her touch.

I just stared at the scene in front of me, my insides twisted with every second. Not because I loved him. I didn’t. At least, I didn’t think I did.

It was the disrespect.

Bringing someone into our home. Into a space where I sleep. Where I live.

He had no shame. And I had no pride left to protect.

I stood up quietly. I placed my glass of whiskey down on the table.

“You can enjoy yourself with the girl,” I said, my voice calm, but cold.

Then I turned to her. “You danced awfully, by the way.”

I didn’t wait for their reactions. I walked out.

The moment I closed the door behind me, my chest broke open.

I started to cry.

Tears poured down my face, and I didn’t care if anyone saw.

I kept walking toward my room, wiping my eyes with the back of my hand, but it was no use.

Then I heard a door open behind me.

I turned my head slightly. It was the girl. She was rushing out of Killian’s room. She looked embarrassed of what just happened, I'm pretty sure it was Killian that sent her away.

I didn’t say anything. I didn’t stop her. I just watched her go.

But in my head, I kept thinking, what if I hadn’t walked in? What if my father hadn’t called me earlier?

Would he have taken her to bed?

While I was sitting alone in my room?

Crying?

Waiting for nothing?

I hadn’t called anyone. It was too early for me to start complaining or becoming a burden to anyone.

And yet, Killian had already started messing around with other women.

I stormed into my room, slamming the door behind me.

The first thing I did was grab a glass.

Then the bottle of whiskey.

And I drank.

I drank and drank and drank.

For how long? God knows. I just kept pouring and drinking, like it would drown out the ache in my chest.

Then the door opened.

I didn’t have to look to know who would open my door without knocking.

My husband. Killian.

I didn’t even turn to him.

I kept my back to him and said, “What are you doing here? Aren’t you supposed to be having fun? I thought you'd last longer… or are you one of those men who can’t?”

I heard his footsteps behind me.

His voice was sharp. “I told you to stay away from me. What sort of drama did you just pull in front of my guest?”

In my head, I whispered, the audacity.

I turned slowly to face him. My voice came out steady, but my heart was boiling.

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