Chapter 223 Living in a Lie

Meryl hesitated, her hand still on the door as she turned back to Lydia, a puzzled look in her eyes. “What are you talking about? What position did you take from me?”

Lydia’s voice wavered as she finally admitted, “When Dalton was in that coma after the car accident, it was your cello playing that brought him back. When he woke up, he was desperate to find the person who had played the music. I told him it was me.”

Meryl was momentarily speechless.

“After that, he started to care about me, checking in and showing concern. We exchanged numbers, and over time, we fell in love.”

Lydia had intended to keep this secret buried forever, but she knew the truth would come out if Meryl performed.

If Dalton learned that their entire relationship was built on a lie, she feared he would be crushed.

“Meryl, you’re married to Chandler now, and it’s obvious he cares deeply for you. You have everything you need to be happy.

“Please, just do me this one favor. Don’t play the cello in front of Dalton.”

Lydia had been on edge for a while, feeling Dalton’s attention slipping away.

If he discovered the truth about her deception, she knew their marriage would be over.

With no real place in the Aniston family, she was clinging to Dalton as her only anchor.

As long as Meryl didn’t perform, she still had a chance to win him back.

Tears streamed down Lydia’s face, ruining her carefully applied makeup. “Meryl, I’m begging you. Please, let me have this.”

It suddenly all made sense to Meryl.

No wonder Dalton had pulled away so abruptly after the accident.

The answer was clear.

He had been cherishing the memory of his savior, holding her up as his ideal love.

But what he didn’t know was that his savior was replaced.

All these years, he had been living in a lie that Lydia had spun.

Meryl stared at Lydia, her expression cold and unmoved.

“What’s the point of all this? If Dalton truly loves you, it wouldn’t matter who played the cello that day. He would still choose you.”

Desperate to defend herself, Lydia quickly responded, “Of course he loves me!”

“Then why are you so scared? Why rush here, begging me not to perform? You’re terrified, aren’t you? Afraid that your entire relationship with him is built on a lie?”

Lydia’s face flushed with embarrassment, the truth hitting too close to home.

She was scared, terrified that she had lost Dalton’s love, that maybe she never really had it to begin with.

That fear had driven her to this moment, desperately trying to stop Meryl from playing, afraid that once Dalton heard the music, he’d realize everything and leave her.

“You’re only pretending to be pitiful because you need something from me. Does Dalton know that your entire relationship is built on a lie? If you were bold enough to deceive him, then you should be ready to face the consequences.”

Lydia’s frustration boiled over as Meryl wasn’t budging. “I’m begging you, Meryl! Can’t you just do this one thing for me?”

“Why should I? Don’t twist the truth here. I’m the one who was wronged. You took what was mine, and now you expect me to cover for your mistakes?”

Tears started to spill down Lydia’s face.

In a final act of desperation, she grabbed the hem of Meryl’s dress and sank to the floor.

The backstage area was crowded, and the dramatic scene quickly drew a curious audience.

The crowd didn’t know who Lydia was, but they were all familiar with Meryl.

“What’s going on? Who is that?”

“Isn’t she Mr. Dalton Aniston’s wife?”