Chapter 5

Lilith's Pov

I didn’t even know where the courage came from.

The courage to sit beside my so-called husband, watching another woman almost naked in front of us.

I wanted to throw the glass in my hand. I wanted to scream. I wanted to destroy everything near me. But I stayed calm. I kept my face cold, like nothing touched me.

And I had no idea why I told her to touch him.

Maybe I was testing something. Maybe I just wanted to feel numb. But it wasn’t jealousy. Not even a little.

She was still standing there, unsure. Then suddenly, she started walking toward Killian.

She hesitated at first, but then moved like she had done this many times before. Her hips swayed slowly, almost like she was trying to seduce both of us.

When she reached him, she placed her hand gently on his chest.

Her fingers moved slowly, like she was trying to make love to him with just her touch.

I just stared at the scene in front of me, my insides twisted with every second. Not because I loved him. I didn’t. At least, I didn’t think I did.

It was the disrespect.

Bringing someone into our home. Into a space where I sleep. Where I live.

He had no shame. And I had no pride left to protect.

I stood up quietly. I placed my glass of whiskey down on the table.

“You can enjoy yourself with the girl,” I said, my voice calm, but cold.

Then I turned to her. “You danced awfully, by the way.”

I didn’t wait for their reactions. I walked out.

The moment I closed the door behind me, my chest broke open.

I started to cry.

Tears poured down my face, and I didn’t care if anyone saw.

I kept walking toward my room, wiping my eyes with the back of my hand, but it was no use.

Then I heard a door open behind me.

I turned my head slightly. It was the girl. She was rushing out of Killian’s room. She looked embarrassed of what just happened, I'm pretty sure it was Killian that sent her away.

I didn’t say anything. I didn’t stop her. I just watched her go.

But in my head, I kept thinking, what if I hadn’t walked in? What if my father hadn’t called me earlier?

Would he have taken her to bed?

While I was sitting alone in my room?

Crying?

Waiting for nothing?

I hadn’t called anyone. It was too early for me to start complaining or becoming a burden to anyone.

And yet, Killian had already started messing around with other women.

I stormed into my room, slamming the door behind me.

The first thing I did was grab a glass.

Then the bottle of whiskey.

And I drank.

I drank and drank and drank.

For how long? God knows. I just kept pouring and drinking, like it would drown out the ache in my chest.

Then the door opened.

I didn’t have to look to know who would open my door without knocking.

My husband. Killian.

I didn’t even turn to him.

I kept my back to him and said, “What are you doing here? Aren’t you supposed to be having fun? I thought you'd last longer… or are you one of those men who can’t?”

I heard his footsteps behind me.

His voice was sharp. “I told you to stay away from me. What sort of drama did you just pull in front of my guest?”

In my head, I whispered, the audacity.

I turned slowly to face him. My voice came out steady, but my heart was boiling.

“Your guest? Seriously, Killian? I am your wife. Nothing you do can erase that. And for the record, I didn’t even want to see your face. I only came to deliver the message my father asked me to give you.”

He huffed. Loud. Bitter. “Oh really? You don’t want to see my face? Look at yourself.”

I rolled my eyes. “I don’t have time for this, Killian. Say whatever you want and leave my room. I won’t cross your path. Just let me be.”

That was when he started walking toward me.

Before I could step back, he grabbed my wrist.

“Killian! What are you doing?” I shouted, trying to pull away.

But he didn’t say a word.

He dragged me out of my room. His grip was tight and almost Painful.

“Let me go!” I yelled, struggling, but he was stronger.

We stopped halfway through the hallway.

His voice was cold. “Don’t ever cross this path to my room for any reason. Do you hear me?”

I laughed bitterly. “I’ll be glad to. You didn’t even have to say it. That was my plan all along.”

He huffed again, furious.

I was still struggling, then he let go of my wrist which caused me to lose balance.

I almost fell, but instead of hitting the floor, I landed against someone.

A firm chest.

Strong hands caught me.

I looked up to see who it was.

The man looked down at me with soft eyes. “Whoa, whoa. What’s going on here?”

I quickly stood up, brushing my hands against my dress.

Then I looked at him again.

The man who caught me.

He looked almost like Killian.

Same sharp jaw. Same cold eyes. Same proud posture.

But… softer.

Not in a gentle way. Just… less mean.

Then I heard Killian's voice.

“What are you doing here?”

The man raised his brow. “Is that how you greet your brother?”

Brother?

I blinked.

Oh.

That’s why they looked alike.

My mind spun.

So this is Killian’s brother.

He was broad like Killian. Tall too. But just a bit shorter, but definitely taller than me.

Killian didn’t respond. Just glared.

His brother turned to me. “And who do we have here?”

Before I could speak, Killian snapped, “Don’t ask stupid questions. You know who she is.”

I stood there, staring at both of them.

Why were they talking like I wasn’t even there?

Like I was invisible?

Like I was a joke they both shared?

Then the brother gave a small smirk.

He looked me straight in the eyes.

“Oh… is that our perfect, murderous, killer bride?”