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

words, she washed her hands of any responsibility for Meryl's ordeal in

really want to die don't just

"Meryl!"

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

and to him,

you supposed to stand by me?

words made everyone realize what

Dalton had been

the past three years, rumors had been swirling, hinting at

Group was bidding on a project, Stone Group's proposals seemed to pop up everywhere, with Lydia handling

world, such encounters weren't unusual, but the frequency with which these

it too much thought. High society valued appearances

Meryl's words made people start connecting the

Dalton and Lydia, though it sounded like a plot twist from a soap opera, was exactly the kind of scandal that intrigued the

common, but fresh, juicy gossip