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?"

my pain, so you assume I'm just

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

could you so casually cast me

said to his friends earlier made. Meryl's heart

Meryl's outburst was a reaction to

anger was a direct result of his

sound was bitter. "It was just a

for this. Your tantrum will only make things harder for Mom and Dad. Canceling the engagement like this just makes us look ridiculous." Chapter 9 Her

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family is already a joke. I've never seen

SO

her own family. And you're worried about how we look to

his anger boiling over, slapped Meryl

as he glared at her. "You're being utterly

made Meryl's vision blur and her head spin even more

her cheek was

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

let's not forget, your prison record will be public knowledge

a fool of

I've been to prison, but I was framed! Just because Lydia was behind it, you

She couldn't stand

the heavy rain poured down in

seeing her determination, offered her an umbrella, but Meryl

so-called family and lover were

through,

washing away all the hurt and

away, a sleek black car