Dear Wife, I Hate You (by Josephine Mbanefo) novel Chapter 60

Lilith’s Pov

I still couldn’t believe it. Killian had seen me… again… with another man.

Why was it always a guy? Why was it never a girl?

And now, he probably thinks I’m some kind of whore.

And then… what did he say back there?

That he owns me?

What the hell was that supposed to mean?

I didn’t even realize someone was talking to me until I heard the voice,

“Are you even listening to me?”

Right.

Jack. I was still sitting with Jack.

I blinked and looked at him. “Sorry…”

Jack gave me a small smile, but I could see he was holding back.

“You know what?” he said, standing up. “Let’s catch up another time. You already have my number. Hit me up if you ever need anything.”

Then he paused. “For now, you should probably go back to your husband’s house. Sort out whatever’s going on.”

I shook my head. “I’m not going back there.”

Jack raised both hands. “Alright, fine. I’m not trying to interfere. But we’ll see again, yeah? Your mind is clearly somewhere else.”

I managed a weak smile. “It was nice meeting you, Jack. I’ll get you coffee next time.”

“I’ll be counting on that,” he said with a small wave, and left.

I stood up slowly, still feeling numb. I needed clothes.

I needed to figure out where I was going to stay tonight.

Because there was no way I was going home. Not after that café mess.

So I got into the car.

Just as I closed the door, my phone rang. Emily.

“Hey, Em,” I answered.

“Hey, madam,” she said in her usual playful voice.

“How’s your mom now?” I asked quickly.

Emily sighed. “False alarm. That woman loves drama. She’s fine now.”

I chuckled. “Thank God. I was worried.”

“Yeah, me too. Oh–and guess what just happened?”

“What?”

“Your loving husband just called me.”

My body went stiff. “What?”

“Yep. Asked where you were. Wanted me to tell him.”

I held my breath. “Did you tell him? Please tell me you didn’t.”

“Girl, you don’t know me at all,” she laughed. “Of course I didn’t. I told him I’d ask you first before anything.”

I sighed. “Okay. Well, you’ve asked me now. And the answer is no. Don’t tell him anything.”

Emily paused. “Lilith… don’t be too hard on him.”

I blinked. “Excuse me? Whose side are you on now?”

“I’m not on anyone’s side. I’m just saying… we’ll talk more when I see you later.”

“Fine. We’ll talk then.”

I told the driver to stop at the mall nearby. I wasn’t going home to pick my clothes–Killian wouldn’t even let me leave if I did.

I needed something to wear.

The driver stopped. Emily handed me my purse and said she’d wait.

Inside the mall, I grabbed a few things–just basics.

Casual clothes, one or two dresses… nothing fancy.

I wasn’t rich like Killian. I had to stay on budget.

When I got to the counter, I reached for my card-

It wasn’t there.

“Please hold on, I told the cashier, searching my bag, starting to panic.

Then a voice behind me said, “I’ll help with that.”

I turned around.

Nolan.

I froze. “Oh my God… how did you even get here?”

He gave a tiny shrug. “Let’s just say I saw you.”

Of course he did.

He looked at the cashier. “Add it all up. I’m paying.”

“No, Nolan,” I shook my head quickly. “You’ve done too much for me already. I can’t let you pay again.”

He smiled. “I’m not asking for permission. Just accept it. Go pick more if you want.”

“This is enough,” I said, touched but still embarrassed.

“Good.”

He paid. Then helped me carry the bags.

I couldn’t stop staring at him.

“Thank you, Nolan,” I said softly.

He glanced at me. “Anytime. We’re family.”

I smiled. For once… it felt like someone was standing by me.

As we stepped out, he pointed behind. “I came in my car. You go on with your driver. I’ll be right behind you.”

“Alright,” I nodded.

****

The drive wasn’t long. The store wasn’t far from Nolan’s apartment.

As we pulled up, I stepped out and looked around.

No sign of Nolan.

He had all my bags with him. Maybe he stopped to get something on the way.

I didn’t want to wait too long, so I went inside.

The moment I got in, I just felt… tired.

Emotionally. Physically, Mentally.

I went straight to the room, tossed off my shoes, and grabbed one of Nolan’s shirts without even asking.

I needed a shower more than I needed permission.

After I freshened up, I slipped into his shirt.

It was soft. Smelled like him.

Comforting.

I went downstairs, stomach growling, only to remember–I didn’t buy any food.

I sighed and scolded myself. How could I forget something that important?

I didn’t even have the strength to cook.

And then I heard the front door.

My heart jumped. I turned quickly and walked toward it.

Nolan came in, carrying my bags.

“I was going to come down-“I started.

But he cut me off gently. “Let me help you with that.”

Before I could protest, he was already carrying them toward the room I was using.

“Oh, and,” he called back, “I got food too.”

I nearly cried. “You’re a lifesaver.”

I rushed over and hugged him without thinking. “I was starving. I totally forgot to get anything.”

“I figured,” he said with a small laugh. “Coffee doesn’t count as food.”

“You’re right. I needed something solid.”

He nodded. “Let me freshen up real quick. You can eat without me if you’re too hungry.”

“No,” I said, shaking my head. “I’ll wait.”

He smiled and told me to help set the food on the table while he took a quick shower.

I went into the kitchen, opened the boxes.

It smelled amazing. I was plating everything when Nolan came back.

He looked so fresh. His skin still damp from the shower.

He looked… good.

Like really, really good.

And I hated that I noticed.

But I did.

Nolan said, “Let’s eat,” and we both sat down.

The meal was mostly quiet.

I was thinking too much.

Does Nolan think I’m using him?

Am I putting him in the middle of this mess with Killian?

Should I have found another place to stay?

After dinner, as usual, he told me not to worry about the dishes.

He cleared them up himself.

Later, he called me into the living room.

“Wanna watch a movie?” he asked.

“Yeah. Sure.”

He picked something random. I didn’t care what it was.

I just needed the silence to stop screaming in my head.

As the movie played, he turned to me.

“Hey,” he said softly.

I looked at him. “Yeah?”

“I, uh… I bought something for you.”

I blinked. “You what?”

He reached into his pocket and brought out a small box.

My heart skipped. “Oh my God, Nolan… what did you do?”

He just shrugged.

I opened the box.

It was a necklace.

A beautiful, delicate, gold necklace.

Simple, but stunning.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify