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

could you so casually cast

of what Dalton had said to his friends earlier made.

realized that Meryl's outburst was a reaction

anger was a direct result of his careless

though the sound was bitter. "It was just a

make things harder for Mom and Dad. Canceling the

3/5

joke. I've never seen a

SO

And you're worried about how we look

slapped

heaved as he glared

blur and her head spin even more

pain in her cheek was intense, but she held back

breaking off the engagement means anyone would. still want you? Who would risk angering

your prison record will

made a fool of

Just because Lydia was behind

family. She couldn't stand

the heavy rain poured down in

an umbrella, but Meryl just shook her head and

family and

rain soaked her through, but she

like she was washing away all

a sleek black car was parked by the