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.

me. I would

words, she washed her hands of any responsibility for

"People who really want to die don't just talk

"Meryl!"

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

and to him,

my fiancé. Aren't you supposed to stand by me? Dalton, how can you

words made everyone realize

had been

the past three years, rumors had been

proposals seemed to pop up everywhere, with

unusual, but the frequency with which these two appeared together

and Meryl were sisters, no one gave it too much thought. High society valued appearances and dismissed

Meryl's words made people start connecting

between Dalton and Lydia, though it sounded like a

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