Chapter 10 Dalton’s Uncle
After Meryl left, the mood in the Stone Villa turned awkward.
She had been the one pushing for the engagement with Dalton, and now she was suddenly calling it off. The family exchanged confused looks, shocked by the sudden change. No one could believe that Meryl, usually so easygoing, left without even looking at Dalton.
Breaking the silence, Lydia tried to calm her parents. “Mom, Dad, please, don’t be mad. Meryl’s been through a lot in prison. She’s confused and upset. She’s not thinking straight…”
“Confused? She’s 24!” Malcolm fumed, slamming his fist on the table. “She’s old enough to know what she’s doing! Does she think she can just call off the engagement on a whim? What will people think? That there’s something between you and Dalton? So inconsiderate!”
Lydia bowed her head, tears welling up in her eyes. “If it makes Meryl happy, I can take the blame. I don’t care about the gossip.”
Bianca, feeling a pang of sympathy, rubbed her shoulder gently. “Your reputation matters. If you marry Dalton now, what will people say?”
Lydia bit her lip, her hands clasped tightly in front of her. She glanced at Dalton, who sat silently on the sofa, a cigarette between his fingers, his expression unreadable through the smoke.
Something was off about him.
Feeling a rising anxiety, Lydia was about to speak to him when he abruptly stubbed out his cigarette and stood up.
“I’m leaving.”
Malcolm and Bianca exchanged worried looks and quickly signaled Lydia. She nodded and hurried after Dalton. “It’s raining. Let me walk you out.”
As soon as they were out of earshot, Malcolm’s worry spilled over. “Do you think Dalton will call off the engagement? He looked furious when he left.”
The Aniston family was incredibly wealthy, and many would kill to align themselves with them. Besides, Dalton was an important member of the family… Being publicly jilted was a huge blow to his pride.
Bianca sighed. “Meryl has always been headstrong. But she’s always come around before. Don’t worry. Young people fight and make up. She’ll realize her mistake and apologize to Dalton in a few days.”
Malcolm thought about it and nodded. Over the years, they had all seen how deeply Meryl cared for Dalton. Even from prison, she never missed a week writing to him. They had grown up together and shared seven years of memories. Feelings like that don’t just disappear overnight.
So, Malcolm and Bianca convinced themselves she was just acting out of anger.
Lydia walked Dalton to the door and reached up to straighten his tie. Halfway through, her eyes filled with tears as a thought hit her.
“It’s all my fault,” she said, tears streaming down her face. “I told Meryl I wouldn’t compete with her for you, but she still doesn’t get it. Why does she keep causing trouble? She’s so spoiled and willful. She embarrassed you in front of everyone, and it’s because of me.”
Seeing her so upset, Dalton pulled out a tissue and gently wiped her tears. “Don’t cry over her. She’s not worth it.”
Lydia tried to stifle her sobs, looking worried. “Don’t… what if someone sees us? Dalton, I’ve always said that just being able to see you from a distance is enough for me. Someone like me doesn’t deserve to be by your side.”
Dalton instinctively reached for another cigarette. Thinking of Meryl’s sharp attitude, he found Lydia’s softness even more appealing. But coming from a prestigious family, the Anistons wouldn’t accept someone with a questionable background, and Lydia’s past was unclear…
Feeling a wave of tenderness, he kissed the top of her head. “Lydia, trust me, I won’t let you suffer for nothing.”
Just then, Dalton noticed a black car parked nearby out of the corner of his eye. His heart sank, and he instinctively stepped away from Lydia, taking a few steps forward.
It was his uncle, Chandler.