Dear Wife, I Hate You (by Josephine Mbanefo) novel Chapter 52

Lilith’s Pov

I kept waiting.

Pacing around the hallway, checking the time every five minutes. Opening Killian’s bedroom door, hoping he’d be lying there… but no. It was empty and cold Like he never planned to come home.

I called him. Again. And again.

No answer.

I texted.

Nothing.

Not a single reply.

Was it the kiss? Was I that disgusting to him? That one moment of weakness, of confusion–did it push him that far away? I didn’t mean for it to happen… I didn’t even plan it.

Was I that unlovable?

Tears threatened to build in my eyes, but I blinked them back. I didn’t want to cry again. Not tonight. I crawled into bed, burying my face into the pillow, trying to breathe.

He’ll be back tomorrow, I told myself.

He has to.

Morning came.

But he didn’t.

The first thing I did was check my phone. Still no messages from him. Just one from Emily:

“I’ll be back with Maya this morning.”

I sighed. At least that was something.

I decided today was going to be different. I deserved peace, even for just one day.

I took a long bath, let the water soak away some of the heaviness. Brushed my hair. Dressed casually. Comfy top. Soft jeans. Something simple. Something me.

Eat. Paint. Swim. Read. That was the plan. I smiled faintly at my reflection in the mirror, trying to hype myself up.

But just as I turned around, I heard a knock.

Then the door opened.

It was him.

Killian

Back from wherever he disappeared to.

My heart skipped, but not out of joy. Confusion. Pain. Something like fear.

I stared at him. “Where were you last night?”

His face was unreadable. Cold.

“That’s none of your business.”

My breath caught in my throat. “Then why did you even come to my room? Just to stand there and say nothing? If you came here, the least you could do is tell me where you were.”

“I said it’s none of your business. Don’t question me about my whereabouts,” he snapped. “Didn’t you go out the other time?”

I stepped forward. My voice didn’t shake–my heart did.

“At least I called. At least I texted. Unlike you, I cared.”

He folded his arms. “I’m not here to argue. I came to tell you something.”

“What?”

“It’s your mom.”

My heart stopped. “What happened to her?”

“She’s dead.”

…What?

“No,” I whispered. “No, that’s not funny, Killian. That’s not even close to funny. I spoke to her a few days ago–she was fine.”

“I’m not here to joke,” he said flatly. “I was asked to tell you. That’s it.”

I stumbled toward the table, my hands shaking as I picked up my phone. I dialed her number. Once.

No answer.

Twice.

Still nothing.

His eyes were still on me, but I couldn’t meet them. I pressed my dad’s number next.

“Hello?” I said as soon as he picked up.

No response.

“Dad… please, can you just pass the phone to Mom? She’s not answering her-”

“She’s dead.”

My stomach dropped.

“Did Killian not tell you what I asked him to tell you?”

“What?” My voice cracked. “What did you tell him?”

“She passed this morning.”

Silence. My chest squeezed tight.

“Why didn’t you tell me? Why would you let him tell me something like that?”

“At least now you know.”

The line cut.

Just like that.

And the room went quiet again.

I didn’t move.

The phone slipped from my hand.

The line was dead.

Just like her.

I stared at the wall. My chest was still. No sound. No breath. No thought.

Just stillness.

Then I heard his voice.

Killian.

“I’ve never been a joker all my life,” he said coldly. “Now you’ve heard the news. What are you going to do?”

I didn’t answer.

I couldn’t.

I just stood there. Numb.

He turned to leave. His footsteps slow. Heavy.

And then he stopped.

“I know you’re happy,” he said, his voice like a knife. “At least now you’ve got all your father’s attention. The only family left.”

I blinked.

The words burned.

“Wait,” I whispered.

He stopped. Turned slightly.

“What did you say?” I asked.

He looked at me, his eyes empty. “Did you hear what I said? I don’t repeat myself.”

Something inside me snapped.

I moved. Fast.

My palm met his cheek. Loud. Sharp.

He didn’t stumble or fall. He just stood there, surprised but steady.

“What the hell?” he said, voice cold but controlled. “Why would you do that?”

Tears filled my eyes. I couldn’t hold them back anymore.

“You’re so fucking cruel!” I screamed. “Why would you say that to me?”

He said nothing.

“My mother is dead, Killian! And now this is what you have to say to me? You think I’m happy? You think this is what I wanted?”

I stepped closer.

“What did I ever do to you, Killian? Why do you hate me so much?”

My hands hit his chest.

Once. Twice. Again.

He didn’t push me away. Didn’t stop me.

“I’m just crazy, right? That’s what you think? That I asked for all this?”

He stood still silently.

I hit him again. Over and over.

“You don’t want to move past my sister,” I cried. “You don’t want to let her go. But how is that my fault?”

More tears. I was shaking.

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