Delete My Love for You novel Chapter 142

Darren swept Charlotte off her feet, throwing her over his arms with a force that made the cuffs around her wrists clatter loudly against the coffee table.

Her protest caught in her throat, snuffed out as her back hit the sofa cushions.

He pinned her arms above her head, one large hand pressing the metal restraints into the upholstery. With the other, he yanked off his tie and tore open his shirt—buttons popping, his bronzed, sharply defined chest exposed in the soft lamplight. His muscles tensed and shifted with every word he spoke.

“If you can’t learn to behave, I’ll just have to break you in by degrees,” he said, voice low and dangerous. “And I won’t stop until you’re back to being the Charlotte who used to beg for my attention.”

***

Outside the intensive care unit at the hospital, Xena paced restlessly, her nerves stretched thin.

She tried more than once to get close to Noah.

The first time, she carried a glass of warm water and approached, her tone deliberately gentle. “Lena, Noah’s been sweating so much. Let me wipe him down so he’s more comfortable?”

Lena’s reply was sharp and unyielding. “No. Until he wakes up, no one goes near him but the doctors and nurses.”

Undeterred, Xena tried again, trailing after the medical team during their rounds, pretending to ask about Noah’s condition.

But Lena’s voice cut through the corridor, cold as ice. “No unauthorized visitors beyond this point.”

Xena dug her nails so hard into her palm she nearly drew blood.

Damn Lena—why was she so suspicious? Had that woman figured something out?

Inside her sleeve, Xena’s grip tightened around a tiny hypodermic syringe, the plastic heating in her sweaty palm.

***

The night dragged on.

By dawn, Noah’s vital signs had stabilized. Under Lena’s vigilant gaze, he finally opened his eyes, blinking into the sterile hospital light.

At the same time, Charlotte woke in a king-sized bed. For a moment, she stared up at the ceiling, recognizing the ornate plasterwork—it was identical to the one in their old master bedroom.

She never imagined she’d ever wake up in Darren’s arms like this—close enough to pretend, for a fleeting second, that he loved her.

But she knew better. Darren could love a hundred women; she’d never be one of them.

“…You’re disgusting,” she spat, her voice hoarse from everything he’d put her through last night.

Her words hit him like a slap, his eyes darkening, desire edged with something fiercer.

He gave a low, mocking laugh, tightening his grip beneath the sheets.

“Charlotte, I have all the time in the world.” His lips grazed her neck, his breath hot against her skin. “If you keep lying to me, I’ll keep you cuffed to this bed every night, until you finally learn your lesson.”

Charlotte tensed. She didn’t have time for this game.

Suddenly, her phone rang, shattering the moment.

Darren’s hand stilled. He snatched the phone, answered it, and Lena’s urgent voice burst through the line: “Noah’s awake!”