Dear Wife, I Hate You (by Josephine Mbanefo) novel Chapter 64

Killian’s pov

I don’t know what got into me.

One minute, I was staring at her. The next, I was kissing her like I’d lose my damn mind if I didn’t.

Her lips… God. They were so soft. Too soft. The kind of soft that makes a man forget how to think.

Her body melted into mine like it belonged there. Like it always belonged.

And the way her lips moved, the way she gasped against my mouth–I swear, it drove me crazy. Even now, back in my room. I can’t stop thinking about it.

I wanted to take her right there. Make her feel everything I’ve been holding back. I wanted to touch her everywhere.

Make her moan my name until she forgot her hate. Until I forgot my guilt.

Kate.

Shit.

What the hell am I doing?

I’m betraying Kate. I’m confusing Lilith. And I don’t even know what I want anymore.

I cursed under my breath and stood up. I didn’t go to work today. I couldn’t focus if I tried.

Maybe I just needed a walk. A breath of fresh air.

But then I saw them.

Lilith and Nolan.

Laughing.

Painting.

Without me.

I stopped. My jaw tightened.

What the actual hell?

Why is she laughing with him? Why does she look so at peace with him?

I walked in without thinking, just stepped into their little moment and ruined it. On purpose.

Yeah, I dragged myself into that stupid painting session. I hate painting. Always have,

But Nolan and I–we’re good at it. Just like we’re good at almost everything.

Except cooking. I’m terrible at that.

But I couldn’t stand there and watch her laugh like that.

Not with him. Not with my brother.

Not with his eyes on my wife.

I don’t care if she hates me to hell and back. She can glare at me. Curse me. Push me. But she’s still my wife.

And I won’t let her smile at another man like that. Even if it’s Nolan.

So when Rose came to tell us food was ready, I jumped at the chance.

“Yes, of course,” I said, forcing a smile. “I would love to eat with my wife.”

She didn’t even hide the way her face dropped. She hated it.

I didn’t care.

I grabbed her hand. “Let’s go eat.”

“I can walk by myself,” she snapped.

“I prefer to hold you,” I said calmly.

She stopped resisting.

We walked. But everything felt tight. Her silence. My thoughts.

Then I turned to Nolan. “Aren’t you coming to eat? Or do you want to leave us to have some alone time?”

Before he could talk, Lilith cut in. “He’s coming to eat.”

I raised a brow and looked at her. “Oh? You’re fighting for your friend? That’s nice.

When are you going to fight for me like that?”

She didn’t say a word.

We walked into the house and sat at the dining table. Everyone else was already there.

Mom. Dad. Maya–with her headset and phone, of course.

Dad looked up first. “Lilith, you’re back. I haven’t seen you for a while.”

“I’m back,” she replied, smiling slightly.

“Hope you’re okay?”

“Yes,”

Nolan sat beside her. I took the seat beside her too. I didn’t care if it looked awkward.

It almost felt… like a family.

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Then Mom clapped her hands together and said, “Oh, look at my children! This feels like a complete family. Except Zoey isn’t here.”

I forced a chuckle and nodded.

Then she added, “Okay, let’s start eating.”

We all started eating. It was quiet. Too quiet.

Until Mom spoke again. “Nolan, when are you going to propose to Zoey?”

The whole table went silent.

I didn’t waste a second.

“Yeah, Nolan.” I added, looking straight at him. “When are you going to propose?”

Because seriously–maybe once he’s focused on his own woman, he’ll stop giving mine so much attention.

Nolan didn’t flinch. “Soon.”

He went back to eating like nothing happened.

I swallowed hard, trying to chew the burning jealousy in my chest.

Then, out of nowhere, Lilith laughed.

Everyone turned to look at her.

Mom blinked. “What’s funny, Lilith?”

“Nothing,” she said, brushing it off.

Then she turned to Nolan and said, “Bike.”

Nolan choked.

My eyes narrowed.

Bike?

Oh, so now they’re sharing inside jokes?

He’s a damn clown now?

I clenched my fists under the table. I wanted to flip something.

Why is he making her laugh?

Why isn’t she laughing with me?

Yeah, I know she hates me.

But can’t she at least laugh?

Even if it’s fake?

Even if it’s just once?

After I finished eating, I stood up and turned to her.

“Lilith, can I see you in my room now?”

She looked at me, suspicious. “Is there a problem?”

“No,” I said. “I just want to talk to you.”

She hesitated but eventually said, “Okay.”

I didn’t wait. I walked out first. I didn’t even look back to see if she was following. I just knew she would.

By the time I got to my room, it didn’t take long before I heard the door open.

She walked in slowly, arms crossed.

“Sit down,” I told her, nodding toward the bed.

“I prefer standing,” she said. “Is there something you’d like to tell me?”

I narrowed my eyes. “You’re so stubborn. I said sit down.”

“I’m not sitting down.”

“Fine,” I snapped. “Stand for all I care.”

I took a breath, then said, “We’re going on a date this evening. Get ready.”

She blinked. “I don’t want to go on a date with you.”

I stepped closer, looking down at her. She was so damn small. Fragile. Yet so annoyingly bold.

“Are you seriously rejecting a date with your husband?”

She didn’t flinch. “Yes. First of all, I wouldn’t want to go anywhere with you.”

I stared at her, feeling my chest tighten. “Do you despise me that much?”

She stepped closer too. Now we were too close. Her scent filled the room. I could barely think.

“Yes,” she said coldly. “I despise you that much.”

Then she added, “And second of all, your idea of a date is boring. We’ll just sit there, stare at each other, come back. No thanks.”

I smirked. “Is that your problem? This one will be different. Now get ready, love.”

“Don’t call me that,” she snapped.

“You don’t tell me what to call you,” I replied calmly. “Now, do you want to go out to get a dress? Or should I be a gentleman and send one to your room?”

“You don’t have to,” she said, glaring. “I have a dress.”

I grinned. “So you’ve agreed to go on the date.”

“What can I say?” she muttered, face stiff, clearly annoyed.

She wasn’t smiling. Not even pretending. Her eyes screamed how much she hated this.

But I didn’t care.

I just wanted to take her out. I didn’t even know why I was doing all this. Why I was forcing her like this.

But I knew one thing–I liked it. I liked this chaos more than the silence.

More than pretending not to care.

“Alright then,” I said. “You can go now. Get ready. A few hours.”

I leaned against the doorframe and added, “And I wouldn’t want you going around laughing with any men in this house.”

I didn’t mention a name. But we both knew who I meant.

She scoffed. “You’re just a joke.”

And then she left, slamming the door behind her.

Normally, I would’ve picked offense.

I would’ve shouted.

But today? I didn’t even have the strength.

Because she’s not expecting what’s coming.

She thinks my dates are boring?

She has no idea.

She’s going to enjoy every damn bit of it.