Delete My Love for You novel Chapter 9

Shock hit Charlotte like a bolt of lightning.

Her son had finally called someone “Mom”—but it wasn’t her.

Xena closed the picture book with a soft snap. “Noah, that’s the end of today’s story.”

“Why? But Mom, you promised me ten stories tonight!”

“Because someone’s not happy anymore, sweetie.”

Noah followed Xena’s gaze and finally noticed Charlotte standing by the door. His little face darkened.

Charlotte slipped off her shoes and stepped inside. “Did Darren ask you to come?”

As Xena packed up her purse, she couldn’t hide the smugness in her voice. “Mr. Harrington heard about my situation and offered me a student job—ten grand an hour just to read stories to Noah.”

“Ten grand an hour for a student job?” Charlotte’s eyes narrowed.

“Xena, Darren isn’t here. You don’t have to keep up this act.”

“Mrs. Harrington, what’s that supposed to mean?” Xena shot back, bristling. “Just because I’m a student from a modest background doesn’t mean you high-society wives get to insult me whenever you please!”

Her voice trembled with anger as she turned to Noah, tears sparkling in her eyes. “Noah, I really like spending time with you. But I’m sorry, sweetheart—Mommy can’t stay with you anymore.”

Noah rushed to her side, arms flung wide as if to shield her. “You don’t need to go, Mom. I’m here. I won’t let her bully you!”

Then he turned on Charlotte, his glare icy—an uncanny echo of Darren’s own steely expression. “Nanny, go wash some fruit for my mom. Right now.”

Charlotte struggled to keep her composure. “Noah, she’s not your mother.”

“I’ll decide who I call Mom, not you. I only listen to my dad!”

Noah grabbed his smartwatch and hit the speed dial. The line connected instantly.

“Yes?” Darren’s deep, magnetic voice came through the speaker.

When he finally snapped out of it, his eyes burned into Charlotte.

He grabbed the picture book and hurled it at her stomach. “Why did you wash pears? Are you trying to drive my mom away on purpose?”

Charlotte instinctively covered her abdomen where the book had hit—the same place where she’d once carried her son.

She’d tried to keep her pain hidden, but now it burst out. Her voice rose. “Noah, I know you don’t want to hear this, but I am your mother!”

“What did you say?”

For a moment, Noah froze, then rage contorted his face. “Liar! How dare you pretend to be my mom? Dad’s not here, so I’ll deal with you myself!”

Charlotte choked on her next words. “Noah, I really am your mother, I—”

Before she could finish, four bodyguards stormed into the house at Noah’s call.

“Young Master, your orders?”