Chapter 255 I Love You
Anne fell silent for a few seconds. She’d just seen on the monitor that Meryl had actually saved Lydia, which struck her as odd. She thought, “Lydia’s done nothing but cause trouble. Meryl should be thrilled if Lydia were left crippled, so why on earth would she save Lydia?”
Anne asked, “So, you were out for that long?”
The mention of this made Meryl feel even more guilty. “Actually, I wasn’t out cold. I just fell asleep and had a really long nap. I didn’t realize you’d been sitting here all night. I’m so sorry.”
“Seriously? I was up half the night worrying!”
Anne cupped Meryl’s face in her hands and gave it a firm, affectionate squeeze. “Well, I didn’t actually stay the whole night. I left around eleven, and Chandler stayed up with you. He’s the one who really kept watch.
“Meryl, Chandler really is a great guy. Even though he and Dante are friends, he’s nothing like that jerk. Seeing you with a good man, someone who’ll treat you right – well, as a friend, I’m genuinely happy for you.”
Anne knew all too well the hardships Meryl had faced with the Stone family and her biased parents. But she couldn’t do much to help. Dalton had been even worse, trampling all over Meryl’s genuine feelings. Anne said this, hoping Meryl wouldn’t close her heart off completely due to her past troubled relationship. At least, in Anne’s opinion, Chandler was a good man.
Meryl understood what Anne meant. She needed to focus her attention on Chandler. Out of the corner of her eye, Meryl noticed Dante watching from outside. She subtly signaled to Anne.
Anne turned and locked eyes with Dante, her expression unreadable. She shut the door behind her and stepped out.
Dante hadn’t seen Anne in a week. After he’d suffered a perforated ulcer from drinking too much, Anne had only signed the admission papers on the first day and then hadn’t visited him since. Dante felt a deep ache in his heart. He understood that Anne was trying to cut ties with him for good, but he wasn’t ready to let go. He was bitterly aware that the rift between them had been manipulated by Lola. That woman’s scheming had led to this. They’d lost their child.
The corridor was empty as Dante began to say, his voice heavy with regret, “Anne, Lola’s in jail now. She orchestrated both of the incidents at the performances; we were all deceived by her.
“She pretended to save me, but it was all part of her plan. And the accident that ruined your dancing career? That was her doing, too, just to take your place as the lead dancer.
“Anne, I know you love dancing. I’m already looking for a lawyer to sue her and get compensation for you.
“Please, give me another chance. I don’t want to divorce you. Our story shouldn’t end like this. Don’t you know how much I love you? You’re the only woman I’ve ever loved in my life!”
Dante opened his arms wide, pulling Anne into a tight embrace.