Secret Admiration: Finding True Love After…

Chapter 2 The Harsh Truth

Meryl’s face went pale, her eyes losing their sparkle. Those hellish three years should have taught her something. She took a deep breath, trying to control the storm of emotions inside her, her fingers curling into fists.

As the car passed under a bridge, the shifting light cast shadows on Dalton’s face, highlighting his unchanged coldness.

Swallowing her bitterness, Meryl asked, “Dalton… Did you pay off those people in prison, asking them to bully me?”

In prison, she had broken down many times, even thinking about ending it all. But she couldn’t let go of Dalton. She was scared he wouldn’t manage without her.

She couldn’t believe he could be so cruel to her.

Dalton’s response was chillingly calm. “What do you expect me to say?”

Meryl froze for a moment, then a wry smile crossed her lips. Was this his way of confirming it? To him, she was just a jealous woman and had arranged for Lydia’s kidnapping, leading to Lydia almost being assaulted. The evidence had been plenty, leaving Meryl with no defense. Lydia was ruthless enough to risk her own reputation, and she won.

Meryl suddenly felt that her love of seven years was utterly laughable. Her gaze grew empty as the car pulled up to what had once been her and Dalton’s home.

Meryl had overseen every detail of the house, from the major renovations to the placement of flower pots. She had even helped with the painting. She had spent countless days and nights dreaming of a life there with Dalton. But now, the house was filled with Lydia’s belongings.

Meryl’s heart felt like it was being pierced by needles. Her lips turned pale from how hard she was biting them, her heart frozen solid.

Dalton ignored her distress. He told the maid: “She’s filthy. Get her cleaned up.”

The maid nodded and led Meryl to the bathroom.

Inside, the maid wrinkled her nose and said, “Miss, when was the last time you bathed? You should take better care of yourself.”

She would smell nice if she wasn’t getting bullied in prison for years. But Meryl didn’t say a word.

After sending the maid away, she locked herself in the bathroom and scrubbed her skin for an hour. The wounds from her prison days still haunted her.

During her three years in prison, she endured relentless abuse. Though the last month had brought some relief, her old injuries hadn’t healed. Many were hidden, ranging from bruises and scratches to long, jagged scars. The prison offered no proper care, and untreated injuries had festered. The worst was a deep scar on her left foot, which throbbed with each rainstorm, reminding her of the old pain.

Whenever the pain became too much, Meryl would keep telling herself that the agony would eventually fade.

When she came out of the shower, she slipped into the fresh clothes the maid had left, which fit her surprisingly well.

But as soon as she opened the bathroom door, she walked straight into Dalton. She stumbled, nearly falling backward.

Dalton’s hand shot out to steady her, wrapping around her waist. The touch was jarring for both of them. Meryl’s heart raced as she found herself pressed against his chest, the heavy scent of nicotine wafting from him.

Quickly regaining her composure, she pulled away, creating some distance. She tried to sound composed as she said, “I’m sorry, sir. I didn’t mean to…”

Meryl noticed the cigarette in Dalton’s hand and figured he must have been heading out for a smoke when their paths crossed.

“What did you call me?” Dalton’s eyes narrowed. “What’s your game this time, Meryl?”

She bit her lip, her eyes stinging with tears she struggled to hold back. It seemed that in his eyes, no matter what she did, it was always wrong.

Dalton’s expression darkened as he put the cigarette back in his mouth. He didn’t want to admit that her sudden departure from his embrace had left him feeling unexpectedly hollow. And seeing her tearful eyes stirred a primal impulse within him, a desire to lash out. He lit the cigarette with a flicker of impatience, his throat tightening as he suppressed the urge inside. “So, after three years, you’ve only gotten better at seducing men?” A sardonic smile played at his lips. “Can’t wait, huh?”