Dear Wife, I Hate You (by Josephine Mbanefo) novel Chapter 66

Lilith’s Pov

I was still catching my breath.

What the hell just happened?

I turned to Killian, my cheeks burning, my chest rising and falling with each breath. I gave him a small push–soft, but questioning. What did you just do?

He just smirked and said, “You didn’t tell me to stop,” casually wiping his fingers with the serviette like he hadn’t just thrown my entire system into chaos.

I didn’t even know what to say. My heart was still racing, my body betraying me. I stared down at my plate like it held answers. My appetite was long gone.

I picked at the last few bites, then gently dropped my fork and adjusted my dress, trying to act like everything was fine–like I wasn’t completely flustered. “Thanks for the meal,” I said quietly.

Killian raised an eyebrow. “Just for the meal?”

I gave him a look. “I didn’t ask you to do what you did.”

“Okay, fine,” he said, shrugging. “Next time, I’ll keep my fingers to myself.”

I didn’t respond. My face already said enough. I could feel how red my checks were. And of course, he noticed. He always notices.

I hated that I didn’t hate what he did. As much as I wanted to act angry, I couldn’t lie–it was… intense. And maybe, just maybe, a little enjoyable. The kind of tension you pretend to hate but secretly remember when you’re alone.

I was still debating whether to finish the food or push it away when my phone pinged.

Emily.

I’d forgotten I told her to come by this evening.

I unlocked the message.

Emily: Hey, I stopped by and didn’t see you. Maya told me you and Killian went on a date. Enjoyyyy, I’m hanging out with her now.

I smiled. Of course Maya would say something. I quickly texted back.

Me: Thanks for not being mad. Have fun.

Killian leaned in slightly. “Who are you texting and smiling like that?”

I rolled my eyes. “No one,”

He narrowed his eyes. “Don’t make me do something wild in public again.”

“It’s Emily,” I said flatly. “She’s around.”

“Oh. Trouble,” he muttered.

“She’s not trouble. You’re just annoying.”

“Whatever,” he said with a smirk.

I yawned slightly and started adjusting my bag. “I want to go home. I’m tired. I need to sleep.”

He tilted his head and gave me that look. “Tired from coming under my touch?”

I wanted the ground to open up and swallow me whole.

I shot him a sharp look, clutching my purse. “No. I just want to sleep.”

“On my bed?”

“Killian, you’re disgusting. Stop it.”

He chuckled. “Your cheeks say otherwise. You’re blushing again.”

I turned away before he saw the tiny smile that slipped out. “Whatever. Let’s just go.”

And just then, the waitress who’d served us earlier appeared by our table. “I hope everything was to your satisfaction? Are you both done?”

Killian nodded. “Yes.”

She collected the plates and handed us the bill.

I didn’t wait.

I stood up immediately, wanting to escape his teasing gaze. But I caught a glimpse of him standing too, stepping right behind me. He followed me closely as we left the restaurant and got into the car.

Killian leaned forward and told the driver, “Take us home.”

**

The drive back home felt unusually long.

The silence stretched between us like a third passenger in the car. I kept looking out the window, watching the trees blur past, then glancing at my phone even though there was nothing new. I didn’t really have many people to text–just Emily. She was enough. More than enough, actually.

Out of nowhere, Killian leaned forward and told the driver to stop.

I turned to him, confused. “What happened?”

“I’ll be back,” he said simply, already stepping out of the car.

I nodded, though my curiosity was burning. I watched him disappear through a side door of a building we’d parked near. What was he up to now?

About ten… maybe fifteen minutes later, he came back holding a bag.

He climbed into the car, handed it over to me, and said, “Open it when you’re home.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Is this a present or something?”

Call it whatever you want,” he said, casually

I just nodded and munered, “Thanks,” holding the bag carefully on my lap, my mind running wild with guesses.

When we finally reached home, Killian stepped out first, and I followed. We both walked inside, the silence still lingering.

but lighter this time

As we got to the hallway, he began heading toward his room and paused. “Aren’t you going to come sleep with your

husband?” he teased

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