Secret Admiration: Finding True Love After Prison

Chapter 16 Nowhere to Go

Watching Chandler's tall figure fade into the distance, Meryl felt a wave of calm wash over her.

Yet, her mind couldn't help but drift back to Dalton.

How did everything go so wrong?

She remembered those early years after returning to the Stone family. The smell of gasoline made her nauseous, so Lydia rode while she walked home from school. Sometimes, she would glance back and see Dalton following.

He always looked so aloof in his custom school uniform, hands. in his pockets.

One day, she stopped and waited.

Dalton, with his long strides, quickly caught up.

He towered over her, his face indifferent, but his eyes gave away a hint of affection.

Back then, she was certain he cared for her.

Things changed during the school's centennial celebration.

Lydia was supposed to perform a piano duet with Dalton.

Just before they went on stage, Lydia mysteriously injured her hand. Crying, she apologized to Dalton, looking so pitiful.

elite school was funded by the Aniston family, and naturally, they

shine, to

performance was

how she got hurt. She tearfully

pressing, she finally accused Meryl of hitting her with

by Dalton in

hit Meryl?" Lydia rushed over, shielding Meryl.

Meryl couldn't help but laugh

were too many incidents like this

herself, convincing herself that Lydia's meddling was the reason

she forgot it takes

her parents' silent

by thugs, he looked at Meryl with bloodshot eyes and said, "Meryl, for what you did

then, a knock on the door interrupted

instinctively wiped the corners

a breakfast tray. Noticing her red eyes, he chose not

setting down the food, he spoke gently, "Ms. Stone, if I

looking even more fragile. She nodded, "I understand. Thank

be discharged tomorrow. Ms. Stone, do you

return to the Stone family, and they likely wouldn't welcome

meant she had nowhere to

softly, "If you have nowhere to