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 would have been better off

she washed her hands of

who really want to

"Meryl!"

was tense as he shielded Lydia, patting her hand reassuringly before turning to Meryl. "I told you to behave. Do you realize the consequences of your

wound, and to him,

Aren't you supposed to stand by me? Dalton, how can you defend another woman in

everyone realize what

had

past three years, rumors had been swirling, hinting

Stone Group's proposals seemed to pop up everywhere, with Lydia handling

world, such encounters weren't unusual, but the frequency

too much thought. High society valued appearances and dismissed any scandal as too outrageous to

Meryl's words made people start connecting

it sounded like a plot twist from a soap

gossip was common, but fresh, juicy gossip about the Aniston and Stone families