Dear Wife, I Hate You (by Josephine Mbanefo) novel Chapter 75

Killian’s Pov

I lost count after the fifth glass.

Whiskey burned its way down my throat, warm and reckless. The bitter edge was comforting and too familiar, like the storm in my chest. My mother’s words wouldn’t leave my head. Her voice, her insistence.

“You love her, Killian.”

No, I wasn’t supposed to. I told myself that again. And again. And again. But it wasn’t working. Not anymore.

Because I was. Falling. And I hated it.

Hated how she took up space in my head. Hated how she made me feel things I swore I buried long ago. And more than anything, I hated the thought of needing her.

And then, just when I thought I’d finally drown her memory with another pour, there was a knock.

And like the devil hearing her name, she appeared.

Lilith.

She stepped in slowly, like she wasn’t sure she was welcome. She wasn’t. And yet… I didn’t stop her.

Whiskey still in hand, I leaned against the table and watched her.

“Hey, Killian,” she said gently.

I didn’t answer. I stared at the glass instead.

“Killian,” she said again, firmer now. “We need to talk.”

I exhaled sharply. “What do you want to talk about?”

“If you’re busy, I can come back-”

“So what you want to say,” I snapped, not looking at her. “I’ve got things to do.”

t have anything to do,” she replied. “You’re drinking.”

I stood, my chair scraping loudly behind me. “If you’re here to make jest of me, Lilith, I really don’t have the time. Say what you need to say and leave me the fuck alone.”

“Why are you like this?” she asked, eyes narrowing. “I’m not here to argue. I’m here to confirm something.”

I finally looked at her. “What?”

She took a step forward. Her voice didn’t shake. “I know you’re in love with me, Killian.”

Her words slapped the air out of me.

“What?” I barked, though my pulse had already betrayed me, racing like a madman.

She stepped even closer. “I know you’re in love with me.”

My mind screamed no but my body refused to move. Her scent was everywhere. Her presence was undeniable.

She looked so goddamn beautiful I wanted to break something.

“What makes you think that?” I asked, inching closer too, my voice low, dangerous.

“Because you’re trying to hide it,” she said, her eyes not leaving mine. “You hate me to cover it up. You push me away when things get too real. One day you want me, the next, you act like I disgust you. I’m tired of this game, Killian. If you hate me, then hate me. But if you love me… then stop running. Please. Stop doing this to me.”

Her voice cracked at the end. And it broke something inside me.

“Do you love me?” I asked before I could stop myself.

She gave a sad smile. “You should know by now. I’ve given you a thousand chances. Of course, I do. And you’re breaking my heart.”

I hated hearing that. I hated knowing it was true.

I turned away. I had to. “I don’t think you love me,” I said quietly. “I don’t think so.”

I started to walk toward the bed, away from her, away from the truth clawing at my throat.

But she caught my wrist.

“Don’t walk away from me,” she said, so softly, so calmly it stopped me in my tracks. “Please. Let’s sort this out. I want you. And I know… I know you want me too.”

I turned to face her again, unable to mask the storm inside me.

“Will you do anything to prove you want me?” I asked, my voice low, broken. “Or is this just another setup? Are you going to shatter my heart too? Maybe run off to Nolan or some other fucking hero who doesn’t have strawling in his soul?”

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