Secret Admiration: Finding True Love After Prison

Chapter 2 The Harsh Truth

Meryl's face went pale, her eyes losing their sparkle. Those hellish three years should have taught her something.

She took a deep breath, trying to control the storm of emotions inside her, her fingers curling into fists.

As the car passed under a bridge, the shifting light cast shadows on Dalton's face, highlighting his unchanged coldness. Swallowing her bitterness, Meryl asked, "Dalton... Did you pay off those people in prison, asking them to bully me?"

In prison, she had broken down many times, even thinking about ending it all.

But she couldn't let go of Dalton. She was scared he wouldn't manage without her.

She couldn't believe he could be so cruel to her.

Dalton's response was chillingly calm. "What do you expect me to say?"

Meryl froze for a moment, then a wry smile crossed her lips.

Was this his way of confirming it?

To him, she was just a jealous woman and had arranged for Lydia's kidnapping, leading to Lydia almost being assaulted.

The evidence had been plenty, leaving Meryl with no defense.

to risk

that her love of seven years were utterly

car pulled up to what had once been

of the house, from the major renovations to the placement of flower pots. She had even helped with the painting. She had spent countless days and nights

now, the house was filled

lips turned pale from

He told the maid:

maid nodded and led Meryl to

maid wrinkled her nose and said, "Miss, when was the last time you bathed? You

bullied in prison for years. But Myrel didn't say

she locked herself in the bathroom and scrubbed her skin for

from her prison days still haunted

in prison, she endured relentless abuse. Though the last month had brought some relief,

ranging from bruises

throbbed with each rainstorm, reminding her

of the shower, she slipped into the fresh clothes the maid had left,

soon as she opened the bathroom door,

stumbled, nearly falling

hand shot out to steady

jarring for both of

found herself pressed against his