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.

was funded by the Aniston family, and naturally, they attended such significant

mother wanted him to shine, to

performance was

how she got hurt. She tearfully glanced at

Meryl of hitting her with a

just 18, was slapped by Dalton

you hit Meryl?" Lydia rushed over, shielding Meryl. "She's my sister. I

back, Meryl couldn't help but laugh

were too many incidents like this

Lydia's meddling was

she forgot it takes two to

years ago, when she was sent to prison, it wasn't just Lydia's scheming and her parents'

being harassed by thugs, he looked at Meryl with bloodshot eyes

a knock on the door interrupted her

instinctively wiped the

tray. Noticing her red eyes,

if I may, save your tears for someone who deserves

was startled, her pale face looking even more fragile. She nodded, "I understand.

said you can be discharged tomorrow. Ms. Stone, do you

the Stone family, and they

going back meant

"If you have nowhere to go, maybe you could consider marrying