The Husband I Hate

Episode 7

KANE

“Food delivery is here!”

Tessa’s loud voice makes me shake my head as she walks into the house like she owns the place.

“What are you even doing here at this hour?” I follow her.

“I just knew it!” She groans the moment she sees the dining table where I’ve been working all night.

Scattered files cover the surface and my laptop is still open. It’s already past ten.

“You can’t keep starving yourself just because you’re a workaholic, okay? We all know you love work more than food, but I’m sure you aren’t a vampire.” She scoffs.

I chuckle and watch her clear a space, push my work aside, and set the table with whatever she brought.

“Come on, sit down.” She smiles at me, and I do.

Tessa never takes no for an answer. She’s been like that for as long as I’ve known her—almost seven years now—and she’s one of the two people closest to me.

“So… I thought you went straight home after work,” I say as I pick up the cutlery. She settles into the chair opposite me.

“I wanted to, but I figured you’d bring your unfinished work home. And I thought of having dinner with you. I’m the best, aren’t I?” She grins.

“I might end up marrying you if you keep this up,” I say, and she laughs.

“You really have a mission to make your little wife hate me more, huh? You know she already doesn’t like me.”

“Forget about her…”

“I think she should know I’m not going to take her man,” Tessa grins, and the look I give her only makes her laugh harder.

“But seriously, how are you two even coping living together without talking? She seems like a cute girl though,” she mutters.

“She’s not cute, Tessa. Don’t go there.”

“Fine. Anyway, Roman called me. Said you’ve been snubbing the hell out of him.” She speaks around a mouthful of food while reaching for a bottle of water.

“You didn’t tell him I’ve been busy? I barely check my texts these days,” I reply.

“You know how clingy he can be. I told him, but he insisted. You should find time to meet up. He said you’ve been canceling hangouts as well…”

“Why the f**k is he reporting me to you when I’m his best friend?” I raise a brow.

“What?” Tessa laughs.

“You two don’t even get along. Since when do you talk, let alone gossip about me?” I frown.

“Calm down, tiger. It was our first conversation. I guess he was desperate because you were nowhere to be found.”

I still smell something fishy.

I wouldn’t be surprised if Roman finally decided to make a move after all these years of watching her and never growing the balls to tell her. She doesn’t even know.

“Just leave Roman alone. If he’s that desperate, he knows the way to my office. He’s only using this as an excuse to slide into your DMs, and you fell for it,” I say. She laughs again.

“Come on, Kane. You’re so cold sometimes.” She shakes her head and tucks a strand of hair behind her ear.

I don’t even blame Roman. Tessa is one of the most beautiful women I’ve ever seen—classy, feminine, exactly his type. He’s just too slow for my liking.

We both glance toward the door when it opens and closes. Footsteps follow, and then Daphne appears.

She seems to be heading for the kitchen but stops the moment she sees us. Her eyes lock onto mine, and I can see the familiar anger burning in them.

It doesn’t move me. I’ve never seen her eyes soften when she looks at me, not once in more than fifteen years.

In fact, I don’t think I want to see anything else. She’s prettier and hotter when she’s mad, and I always feel the urge to make her even angrier.

Our eyes stay locked while she fumes, then she walks past us straight into the kitchen.

I catch the scent of alcohol on her. Wherever she went, she drank.

I push away the brief thought that tries to form and keep eating.

“I should get going,” Tessa says, checking the time.

“Why? Don’t tell me you’re leaving because—”

“Of course not. You’re my boss and can show up at work tomorrow whenever you want. Me? No thanks.” She smirks, and I scoff.

She stands, grabs her bag, and blows me a kiss. “See you in the morning, baby.” Her heels click against the floor as she walks out.

Daphne comes out of the kitchen a moment later. I don’t turn, but I hear her footsteps as she heads straight upstairs.

I finish eating, clear the table, and leave the dishes in the kitchen. The maids will handle the rest tomorrow.

Mom went overboard telling me to give them a few days off. She thought Daphne and I might need privacy after the wedding.

I agreed only because I didn’t have the energy to argue or sit through another one of her lectures.

As far as my parents are concerned, Daphne and I are in love, and I have no intention of telling them otherwise.

Their belief is the only reason they’ve left us alone. I need them to keep believing it so I can live in my own house in peace.

I’m about to get back to work when Daphne appears again. This time she stops right in the dining room, forcing me to look up.

She’s already changed into a nightie. She glares at me with her arms crossed over her chest.

I ignore her.

“So you’re just going to keep bringing bitches into this house with zero shame or respect for me?” she asks.

I almost frown, but I’m not in the mood for her drama tonight.

“This is my house, Daphne. I can do whatever the f**k I want,” I say without looking at her.

“That’s such an irresponsible thing to say. Should I do the same then? Huh?!” she yells.

I close my laptop and stand. Facing her, I have the sudden urge to grab her by the neck and put her in her place so she’ll stop acting out. I control it. Not the right time. I have far too much on my plate for little games like this.

I gather everything from the table and walk out without another word.

I can hear her muttering as I climb the stairs, but I don’t give a f**k. She should have known exactly what she signed up for the moment she made that stupid rule about me not touching her.

Even though she can’t actually tell me what to do, I won’t force anything.

She’ll be the one begging for it.

Soon.