Secret Admiration: Finding True Love After Prison

Chapter 7 Falling Apart

When Dalton saw Meryl show her scar to everyone, a strange feeling stirred inside him.

Seeing her act like she didn't care about him anymore broke his heart.

For years, Meryl had devoted herself to him, loving him without conditions.

He had gotten used to it, taking her love for granted.

"Meryl, please stop. If it means that much to you, I'll give you my position." Lydia's hands shook as she covered her head.

"It's all my fault. I shouldn't have stayed with the Stone family. I should have died the day I was kidnapped three years ago."

"But your suffering in prison has nothing to do with me or our parents. Prison is full of bad people. You were bullied because you ended up there."

Tears filled Lydia's eyes, but she held them back.

saved me. I

her hands of any responsibility for Meryl's ordeal

was cold. "People who really want

"Meryl!"

was tense as he shielded Lydia, patting her hand reassuringly before turning to Meryl. "I told you

to him, it was just her causing

to stand by me? Dalton, how can you defend another woman in front of

made everyone realize

Dalton had

past three years, rumors had been swirling, hinting at

bidding on a project, Stone Group's proposals seemed to pop up everywhere,

but the frequency with which these two appeared together was

Lydia and Meryl were sisters, no one gave it too much thought. High society valued appearances and dismissed any scandal as too outrageous to

made people start

something might be going on between Dalton and Lydia, though it sounded like a plot twist from a soap opera, was exactly the kind of scandal that

but fresh, juicy