Delete My Love for You novel Chapter 8

“Darren, go to the family chapel. You’re not to come out until you’ve knelt for two hours!”

“Charlotte, you’re to watch him.”

Nathan’s command was sharp and final. The butler ushered them both through the winding halls and out to the old chapel in the Harrington estate’s rear garden.

Inside, fading portraits of the Harrington ancestors lined the paneled walls—among them, Darren’s own father. Darren knelt ramrod straight, fists clenched so tightly his knuckles whitened and veins bulged. Out of respect for his father and those who’d come before him, he didn’t utter a word, even though his chest heaved with barely contained anger.

Charlotte, watching from the shadows, knew full well: once they left this house, Darren would make her pay for this.

Two hours later, the punishment ended. Charlotte trailed after Darren as he strode from the chapel, out through the stately front doors, and into the car.

“Drive to the club,” Darren ordered suddenly, his voice cold.

Charlotte stiffened. The club? Why on earth would he take her there?

She tried to explain herself, her voice unsteady. “Darren, I didn’t mean to leave Grandfather out earlier. The family doctor said—”

“Charlotte, my grandfather isn’t so weak he’d be laid up over something so trivial.” Darren’s tone was icy. “The truth is, you never really wanted a divorce. No one plays games with me, Charlotte. If you go back on your word, don’t blame me for what happens next.”

Charlotte’s heart pounded with dread. She had no idea what he planned, only that it couldn’t be good.

The car pulled into the private club’s marble-lit parking lot. Darren yanked her out of the seat and practically dragged her through the gleaming corridors, finally shoving her into a dimly lit lounge.

As the door swung open, three men in tailored suits stood at once.

But when their eyes landed on Charlotte, courtesy faded into something predatory. Their stares crawled over her, making her skin crawl and a chill shoot down her spine.

Charlotte’s voice trembled, trying to mask her panic. “Darren, what are we doing here? Don’t do anything you’ll regret—”

Darren said nothing. He only tightened his grip on her waist, steering her to the main sofa and sitting her close beside him.

It was only after a few tense exchanges that Charlotte realized Darren was negotiating a business deal—and he was doing it in French, just loud enough for her to understand.

But why bring her here for this?

She understood perfectly—tonight had been a lesson. He wanted her to know just how easily he could turn her from Mrs. Harrington into nothing more than a plaything for his business associates.

Charlotte met his gaze, her eyes brimming with disbelief and sorrow.

Darren looked away, expression unreadable.

“Don’t think I’m letting you off that easily. Go home and check on Noah. There’s a little surprise waiting for you,” he said coldly.

With that, he slammed the car door and barked at the driver, “Take her back to the villa.”

Charlotte couldn’t imagine what kind of “surprise” Darren meant.

She found out the moment she stepped into the house and stopped dead in her tracks—Xena was sitting with her son Noah, reading a picture book together.

Noah’s face lit up as he looked at Xena. “Mommy!” he called out, his voice brimming with joy.