Secret Admiration: Finding True Love After Prison

Chapter 9 Her Call

Malcolm's face darkened as he drummed his fingers on the table, the sound echoing ominously through the room.

He couldn't believe that Meryl, who had dedicated so much of her life to Dalton, would now so easily call off the engagement.

"Is this about Lydia? They've just been working together more closely lately. Is that really worth all this drama?"

Bianca quickly backed him up. "Do you really think so little of Lydia? She's always been nice to you. Why would she try to take Dalton from you?" Meryl's gaze swept over her parents and then landed on Lydia.

It was all so bitterly ironic.

Lydia didn't need to lift a finger. Her parents were always ready to speak for her.

And yet, Meryl was the one they should have been defending.

A sardonic smile played on Meryl's lips.

"I'm not joking or being petty. I'm ending things with Dalton. It's over."

Dalton, clearly frustrated, tugged at his tie. "What now, Meryl?

Chapter 9 Her Call

What's this all about?"

Meryl's laugh was hollow.

"You think I'm just throwing a tantrum?"

"Dalton, do you think that just because I love you, I'm beneath. you? Do you believe I'm not allowed to feel hurt?"

pain, so you assume I'm just making

been wanting to ask you for a while now. When you ditch your fiancée to protect another woman, did you ever think about

so

what Dalton had said to his friends earlier made. Meryl's

outburst was a reaction to what

a direct result of his

just a joke

isn't the time for this. Your tantrum will only make things harder for Mom and Dad. Canceling the engagement like this just makes

3/5

family is already a joke. I've never seen a

SO

you're worried about how we

his anger boiling over, slapped

he glared at her. "You're being utterly

blur and her head spin even

pain in her cheek was intense,

engagement means anyone would. still want you? Who would risk angering the Aniston family just to

forget, your prison record will be public knowledge

a fool

framed! Just because Lydia was behind it, you

with her family. She couldn't

leave, the heavy rain poured

determination, offered her an umbrella, but Meryl just shook her head

so-called family and lover were nothing more

rain soaked her through, but

she was washing away all the hurt

to her, not far away, a sleek black car was parked