Delete My Love for You novel Chapter 54

Xena stumbled over her words, her voice unsteady. “The details are a bit fuzzy… Fourteen years ago, there was a fire at the orphanage. I was lucky to escape, but a piece of rubble hit my head and I lost part of my memory…”

She paused, her gaze sincere. “Even if I can’t remember much, I’ll never forget how much the orphanage did for me. Now that it’s being rebuilt, I want to do whatever I can to help.”

Herbert offered a thoughtful smile, about to ask another question, when a cold, commanding voice sliced through the crowd.

“Mr. Nelson, if you have more questions, take them up with me.”

Everyone turned. The press was pushed aside by a wall of bodyguards, clearing a path.

Darren strode forward, exuding an unmistakable authority. His sharp features and steely presence seemed to part the crowd as he approached.

Relief flooded Xena’s face. She hurried to him and melted into his arms, her voice trembling with vulnerability. “Mr. Harrington…”

Darren saw the tears shimmering in her eyes and held her tighter.

He turned to Herbert, his gaze suddenly frosty. “My fiancée was injured and suffers from memory loss. Anyone who tries to dig up her past and hurt her will answer to the Harrington family.”

Herbert, clearly cowed, swallowed the rest of his questions.

Charlotte had been standing within fifteen feet of Xena the whole time, watching Darren defend her. Her eyes only grew colder.

Suddenly, a voice rang out: “Lottie, take Xena to the car to rest.”

Charlotte’s expression stiffened. She stepped forward, professionally composed. “Ms. Lancaster, this way, please.”

“Lottie, watch your address.”

Darren’s quiet correction sent a ripple through the crowd.

Charlotte’s lips tightened. After a brief pause, she corrected herself, her voice even. “Mrs. Harrington, this way, please.”

A hint of a smile played at the corners of Xena’s lips when she heard the new title.

All around, the reporters gaped in surprise.

Whispers quickly spread: “Mr. Harrington is really spoiling his new wife! He hasn’t even had the wedding and he’s already making his staff change how they address her!”

Across the way, Herbert watched the scene unfold, the look in his eyes hidden behind the glint of his gold-rimmed glasses.

“Mama—!”

Charlotte froze mid-step. For a moment, it felt as if the blood in her veins had turned to ice.

But the next instant, Noah dashed past her and leaped into Xena’s arms instead.

She watched him press a kiss to Xena’s cheek, his small face radiant. “Xena, I missed you so much!”

They looked closer than mother and son.

A sharp, unexpected ache pierced Charlotte’s heart. She quickly turned away, pulling a bottle of pills from her bag.

She swallowed one, and just as she did, her eyes widened in shock.

Darren was standing barely six feet away, looking right at her.

He narrowed his eyes. “What did you just take?”