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 her own reputation, and

her love of seven years were

empty as the car pulled up to what

detail 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 dreaming of

was filled with Lydia's

it was being pierced by needles. Her lips turned

told the

and led Meryl

said, "Miss, when was the last time you

would smell nice if she wasn't getting bullied in prison

herself in the bathroom

prison days

the last month had brought

were hidden, ranging from bruises and

foot, which throbbed with each rainstorm, reminding her

she came out of the shower, she slipped into the fresh clothes

she opened the

nearly

out to steady her, wrapping

was jarring for both of

as she found herself pressed against his chest, the heavy scent of nicotine wafting