Delete My Love for You novel Chapter 121

A thousand suspicions surged through Darren’s mind, only to be ruthlessly suppressed by a cool, rational calm.

He had left Xena all alone at the wedding today.

And now, could he really bring himself to doubt her?

Darren’s expression hardened with resolve. “Charlotte, I promised to protect her. I won’t let anyone slander her name—least of all you. Stop trying to drive a wedge between us.”

“Drive a wedge?” Charlotte’s eyes dimmed. “Fine. If you’ve decided to trust her unconditionally, there’s nothing more for me to say.”

“Oh? You think you can just wash your hands of it with that?”

He caught her wrist, his tone brooking no argument. “You orchestrated those rumors to question her integrity. Like it or not, you owe Xena an apology.”

Charlotte shot him a look. “And if I refuse? Are you going to keep holding Herbert and the research center over my head?”

Darren gave a cold, humorless laugh. She’d gone to all this trouble just to stop him from marrying Xena. He didn’t need to threaten her with Herbert; his indifference was threat enough.

“I’ll give you twenty-four hours to think it over. When, where, how you apologize—doesn’t matter. Until Xena forgives you, I won’t even spare you a glance for the rest of my life.”

“Oh, really…”

Charlotte calmly extended her left hand, one by one prying his fingers off her right wrist.

“I heard you loud and clear. Now if you’ll excuse me.”

With that, she ignored him, settling back onto the picnic blanket. She reached for the platter of roast chicken in front of her, pulled off two drumsticks, and handed one to Ryan. “One for you, one for Mommy.”

Ryan accepted his with a grin, immediately taking a big bite.

Darren glanced down at their drumsticks. After fleeing the wedding, he hadn’t eaten a thing.

Charlotte treated him as if he were invisible, enjoying her meal without a care. Darren couldn’t bear it another moment.

“That’s your final twenty-four hours. Make the most of it.”

He spat the words out and turned on his heel.

But after a few steps, he couldn’t resist glancing back, only to find Charlotte still eating, completely unfazed by his outburst.

Fury boiling over, Darren strode back. Without warning, he snatched the drumstick right out of her hand.

Charlotte stared in disbelief as he took a hearty bite of the very piece she’d been eating, then stormed off at a furious pace.

They used to play by the riverbank, stacking little stones into tiny houses.

Back then, she called him Herbert. But as they grew older, and more girls started chasing after him, she naturally kept her distance—and stopped using that name.

Anyone in this world could hurt her.

Anyone, except Herbert.

Of that, she was certain.

Charlotte tucked away her gloomy thoughts and turned to Ryan. “Hey, Ryan, want to go for a walk by the river? Let’s go together, sweetheart.”

Ryan nodded obediently.

…

Meanwhile, Darren sat behind the wheel, Charlotte’s final words echoing over and over in his head.

“At least get a DNA test before you accuse someone of lying.”