Delete My Love for You novel Chapter 64

Charlotte stood motionless, her eyes following Xena’s retreating figure, a flicker of pity rising in her chest.

Did Xena really think that pretending to be Shortie would guarantee her a secure place as Mrs. Harrington?

How naive. She didn’t realize that the woman who truly lived in Darren’s heart had never been some girl from the wrong side of town. No, it was someone else—a girl who’d once made Darren vow never to marry.

Maybe Shortie’s background had stirred some fleeting tenderness in him, but after witnessing how easily he’d set Xena aside today, even that meager affection seemed almost laughable.

Charlotte smothered the trace of pity in her eyes, turned away, and drained her glass in one swallow.

She forced her swirling thoughts down and slowly made her way toward the garden behind the manor.

The idle gossip from the housekeepers hadn’t been completely baseless.

In the three years she’d been married to Darren, aside from the first year spent in a clinic, what had the next two brought her? She’d been more than a housekeeper here—she’d been the estate’s unpaid gardener.

Every sprawling garden, every blade of grass and flower, had been shaped by her hands, watered by her sweat and care.

And now? She imagined it all must be overgrown and forgotten.

After all, why would someone like Darren care about the things she’d planted?

With a mix of self-mockery and pain, Charlotte set foot on the narrow path leading to the gardens. Half an hour later, she stopped at the entrance, stunned by what she saw.

The gardens were bursting with blooms, vibrant and full of life.

The peace lilies she’d planted herself still stood tall and proud, the clivias basked in the sunlight, and the rose bushes, too, were in full, riotous bloom.

Everything was in perfect order—more lush, more beautiful than when she’d left.

“Hey! You, security!”

A sharp voice called out to her.

Charlotte turned to see two gardeners in work clothes standing by the flowerbeds, tools in hand, faces stern as they called out, “Don’t come any closer!”

“Mr. Harrington’s orders. No one but us is allowed in this garden. If anything gets trampled, we’re out of a job—and you’ll be in trouble too!”

She glanced over the garden one more time, confusion knitting her brow.

Why would Darren keep this garden at all?

At least for the next five days—until Herbert finished moving the data—she would become the nightmare Darren could not shake.

Charlotte left the garden and returned to the manor’s front steps, only to sense a sudden pressure in the air.

She looked up and saw Darren’s tall, imposing figure striding in from the gates.

His men had scoured the security footage, but every camera on that street had been wiped before they got there.

Still, he had a clue—

That morning’s delivery of goat’s milk and Pixel Sweetery pastries.

Someone had slipped into the Harringtons’ world, most likely working with the woman impersonating Charlotte on the street.

As for the inside man in the manor, the prime suspect was—

Darren stopped at the mansion’s entrance, his gaze locking on Charlotte, just returning from the gardens.

His brows drew together, and he started toward her, one deliberate step at a time.