Delete My Love for You novel Chapter 127

“I’m changing in here!”

The words tumbled out of Charlotte’s mouth before she could think.

There was a flurry of apologies from the other side of the door. “S-sorry! I’m so sorry…”

Hurried footsteps retreated down the hall.

Charlotte barely managed a sigh of relief before Darren spun her around and pressed her hard against the locker room wall.

When desire took hold of him, Darren was never gentle. He could keep going for hours, relentless and domineering. Now, his eyes were bloodshot with lust, the hunger in his gaze unmistakable.

His hand gripped her waist, ready to claim her.

But—

Slap!

Charlotte’s open palm cracked loudly across his face. “You animal!”

Darren could’ve dodged, but he thought she was just playing along. He never expected her to actually hit him.

The slap was sharp and resounding. His ear rang, and for a stunned five seconds, he just stared at her in disbelief.

“Charlotte, did you just hit me?”

No one had ever dared strike him—no one except, perhaps, his grandfather. Least of all Charlotte, who had always seemed so eager to please him. She was supposed to want his approval, to crave his attention. How could she turn on him like this?

Darren’s world tilted.

Charlotte seized the moment to wrench free, hastily straightening her clothes.

Her voice was icy. “People like you only get away with this because you haven’t been put in your place enough. Consider that a little correction.”

Before Darren could react, she yanked open the locker room door and strode out.

Fury exploded in him. He yanked his pants up, stormed after her, and caught her by the wrist in the corridor.

“Charlotte, you really think acting like a shrew will make me pay attention to you?”

She let out a cold, scornful laugh. “Pay attention to you? Darren, you’re not even worth the air I breathe.”

Charlotte swallowed her pride. She only had nine days left—nine days to catch the attention of the elusive research magnate, or else she was finished. And what about Ryan? That little boy, so silent, so helpless—if she didn’t make it, who would protect him?

For Ryan. For herself. She could endure anything.

She pressed her lips together, then spoke through gritted teeth. “Mrs. Harrington, isn’t this what you wanted? Here, I’m apologizing. I’m begging. I’ll kneel, I’ll confess—just give me back my spot in the semi-finals!”

She bowed her head, banging it against the pavement in a humiliating display.

Xena turned to Darren, voice syrupy-sweet. “Oh Darren, she certainly knows how to put on a show. But listen to her—she doesn’t sound the least bit sorry.”

Darren adjusted his mask, eyes narrowing. No, Charlotte wasn’t sorry. Not after the blistering slap she’d given him. There was no way she was sincere.

“Don’t bother with her. Let’s go.” His voice was icy.

He started forward, but Charlotte lunged and grabbed the cuff of his pants.

“Darren, you told me to apologize to Xena. I did. You can’t go back on your word. If you don’t restore my place in the competition, I’ll—”

Darren cut her off. “You’ll what? What can you possibly do?”