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.

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

him to shine, to showcase their

performance

got hurt. She tearfully glanced at Meryl

much pressing, she finally accused Meryl of hitting her with

18, was slapped by Dalton in

over, shielding Meryl.

back, Meryl couldn't help but

incidents like

herself, convincing herself that Lydia's meddling was the

it takes two

Lydia's scheming and her parents' silent approval. Dalton's indulgence of Lydia played a crucial role. He must have had feelings for

looked at Meryl with bloodshot eyes and said, "Meryl, for what you did to Lydia, you really

then, a knock on the

wiped the corners of

carrying a breakfast tray. Noticing her red eyes, he

Stone, if I may,

her pale face looking even more fragile.

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

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

meant she had

you have nowhere to