Dear Wife, I Hate You (by Josephine Mbanefo) novel Chapter 68

Nolan’s Pov

Everything’s slipping.

Slipping right through my hands.

Lilith is slipping.

I was pacing around my room like a madman, barefoot on cold marble floors, fists clenched at my sides. My heart was restless, and my thoughts–chaotic.

I needed something to drown the ache. So I made my way to the bar room.

I poured myself a glass of whiskey.

Then another.

Then another.

Three shots in less than a minute.

The burn in my throat didn’t match the fire in my chest.

I couldn’t believe it–I actually followed them.

Yeah, Lilith and Killian went on a date. And I… I was there.

Hiding like some pathetic stalker in a corner booth. Watching.

Watching her. Watching him.

Trying to convince myself it was for her safety. That I was doing the right thing. That Killian couldn’t be trusted.

But that wasn’t the full truth, was it?

The truth was–I couldn’t bear the idea of them being together. I couldn’t stand the way Killian looked at her. Touched her.

And he did touch her.

In public.

His hand slid around her waist, pulling her closer like she belonged to him.

And the worst part?

She let him

I swear I almost shattered the glass in my hand.

She doesn’t see it–what he’s doing. She doesn’t realize he’s trying to reel her in only to break her again. And I—God, I’m just standing there like a coward, hiding in plain sight.

I’m the right one for her. And she doesn’t even know it

I remembered that moment–earlier, when I went to her room. When I asked if she was falling for him.

She said no. Quick. Sharp. Almost like she wanted to say it before she could change her mind.

That meant something. That meant something.

So maybe all hope isn’t lost.

Maybe I still have a chance–if I step up. If I get closer. If I stay in her orbit long enough, maybe she’ll finally see me.

I told her I broke up with Zoey.

That was a lie.

But I had to say it. I couldn’t let Lilith feel like she was betraying her friend–like we were doing something wrong.

Because what we have… it’s not wrong.

It’s real.

And it’s growing.

But now I have to figure out how to end things with Zoey for real. Clean. Quiet. No mess. I can’t afford drama–not when Lilith’s heart is on the line.

As I was spiraling deeper into this mess I created, I heard it.

A soft ping.

My phone.

Only one person triggers that notification sound.

Lilith.

I changed it months ago.

Just so I’d know–immediately–when she reached out.

I grabbed my phone, pulse racing like a damn drum in my chest.

“Well… let’s see who we have here,” I muttered under my breath, my thumb hovering over the screen.

And I opened the message.

It was a voice message.

My heart thumped. She never sends voice messages–text, yes. But this? This meant she needed to talk. Now.

I tapped play.

Her voice came through, fast and shaken.

“Oh my God, I just saw the weirdest shit, man. Like, my head literally burst and I cannot even sleep. I have no one to talk about this with. Emily is it Maya? So I had to come to you. Oh my God, oh my goodness. I think I’m going to have a nightmare.”

The message ended with her laughing as If she was drunk.

And right after, a follow–up text:

“I’m sorry I’m disturbing you.”

I didn’t hesitate. I called her immediately.

“Are you drunk, Lilith?”

“I’m not drunk!” she snapped, all breathless and defensive. “I knew you were going to say that. But I’m not, I swear.”

“Then what’s going on?” I asked, pacing again. My grip on the phone tightened. “What did you see?”

“I can’t tell you. No, like, I seriously can’t. Just…just tell me something to take my mind off it. It’s not dangerous or anything. Just… something I wasn’t meant to see.”

Her voice cracked. She sounded rattled. Vulnerable. And all I wanted to do was be beside her, wrap my arms around her and say, you’re safe now.

But I couldn’t. Not tonight.

“Okay, calm down,” I said gently. “Um, I don’t really know what to say right now but–hey, there’s a book club.”

She paused. “Wait, what? A book club?”

“Yeah,” I lied smoothly. “There’s one around the corner. We can check it out tomorrow if you want.”

“Oh my God,” she breathed. “There’s a book club? I’ve always wanted to go to one. Talk about books with real people and all that. Thank you so much, Nolan.”

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