Secret Admiration: Finding True Love After Prison

Chapter 701 We're Not Divorcing

Meryl's words caught Chandler completely off guard. She seemed composed, her expression calmed as always. But hidden beneath that mask was a faint trace of grievance-subtle yet unmistakable. Chandler saw right through it. The moment her voice cracked, his heart clenched painfully, as if struck by a heavy blow. It knocked the air out of his lungs.

Meryl was the kind of person who rarely showed strong emotions. For her to say so much at once and make such a drastic decision, it was clear that she had reached her breaking point. And Chandler knew it. That was what made the guilt

unbearable. He couldn't expect Meryl to keep tolerating him, not when he had neglected her so deeply. Because he had.

They were stuck in an impossible situation. If Rachel had truly been his biological sister, things would've been easier. Meryl might not have cared so much. But she wasn't.

Chandler loathed himself for not being there when Meryl needed him most. If only he could turn back time, he would've stayed by her side, protecting her. He had been just one step too late.

What Felix had done for her, he could've done too. But that one step-the delay-had deepened the rift between them. Rachel

Pe Not Divorcing

2/7

needed saving. That was his duty, his way of making amends to Andy, his late friend.

Even without Andy, Chandler couldn't stand by and watch Rachel die. He couldn't abandon her. It had nothing to do with her being a woman or who she was. If it were anyone else, he would've done the same. It just so happened that it was Rachel this time. When Chandler joined the police academy, he swore an oath. This was his responsibility-always to answer the call. Rachel wasn't special to him-not in the way Meryl thought.

In his eyes, Rachel and Meryl weren't even rivals. They weren't in a competition, nor was it ever a choice between the two. He thought, "How did things spiral into this mess?"

The room was silent. Chandler's eyes locked with Meryl's, but an invisible chasm stretched between them-vast and insurmountable.

Chandler glanced at the black card in Meryl's hand, then slowly looked away. "Since I gave it to you, it's yours. No need to return it."

pocket for his cigarettes but

evident. The once confident and poised Chandler now seemed burdened and weary. It felt like he'd accidentally let the woman he

F

Not Divorcing slip through

3/7

he? He had tried to give her the best of everything. A sense of helplessness surged within him. Chandler's Adam's apple bobbed as

took Meryl's hand in his, holding it gently between both of his.

Chandler looked uncharacteristically disheveled. His eyes, rimmed with fatigue and bloodshot, betrayed his inner turmoil. He stared at Meryl, his voice brushing against her

lips. "Meryl, that's not fair. Even if

hand to his lips, planting a soft kiss on the back of it. "At least wait until I'm head over heels for you and then kick me to the curb. That would hurt more, wouldn't

someone worth that kind of love. How could you possibly feel

her lips. "Don't say that. You're everything

and turned her head away, refusing to meet

other direction, her shoulders trembling slightly. Her eyes were red, the rims

701 We're

4/7

trying to compose herself. "Words are easy. Actions? Not so

brows furrowed in quiet frustration. "You always

voice soft yet firm.

shutting him out. She closed her eyes. "I'm tired. Let's stop here. There's no point arguing anymore." She knew Chandler

was like a gentle breeze-so close he could feel her, yet slipping away before he could hold on. He wanted to grab onto her, but

much Meryl means to me. When

watching her for a long, long time. The night deepened,

eyes ached from exhaustion. Leaning over, he pressed a tender kiss to her forehead. "I'm sorry, Meryl. I never wanted to hurt you," he murmured, his voice