Chapter 346 Inner Conflict

Chandler nodded honestly, his expression sincere.

Meryl paused for a few seconds, then suddenly said, “Chandler, you could have kept this from me.”

If he hadn’t mentioned it, she would have remained in the dark.

“I don’t want to lie to you,” Chandler replied, his voice dropping slightly.

Telling Dante was a matter of loyalty to a friend, but confessing to Meryl was about his commitment to their relationship.

He felt no guilt for his decision.

Seeing Chandler’s open demeanor, mixed with a hint of guilt in his eyes, Meryl felt her heart soften.

She wrapped her arms around his waist and nestled her head against his chest. “You…”

She thought, “How can I be mad at him when he looks like this? Besides, Anne has decided to stay in the country, and it’s only a matter of time before her belly starts to show. Dante will find out sooner or later.”

Meanwhile, at the Aniston Villa, Lydia stood on the second floor. Watching Dalton’s car pull into the driveway, she instinctively clenched her fists.

After Charlotte had hidden her away in the villa for over ten days, Lydia’s pregnancy had stabilized, but her heart was far from at ease.

Dalton’s feelings about the baby were still unclear. He hadn’t stormed into the villa yet, likely out of respect for Charlotte.

Recalling that fateful morning sent a chill down her spine.

Several bodyguards had barged into her hospital room, ready to drag her to the operating room for an abortion, with the doctor already prepping the instruments.

Malcolm and Bianca had rushed over, but the guards hadn’t even acknowledged their presence; Lydia was still pushed into the operating room.

She had never imagined Dalton could be so ruthless.

Dalton didn’t even flinch at the thought of losing his child.

He didn’t bother to show up himself; he simply sent his men to handle it.

Fortunately, Charlotte arrived just in time to stop the bodyguards.

Afterward, Lydia was taken to the Aniston Villa, where she had been holed up for half a month.

During this time, Lydia hadn’t seen Dalton. Several times, she had thought about calling him, but each time she held back.

Charlotte insisted that it was best for her to stay calm.

Lydia had reluctantly agreed.

Today was a holiday, and the Aniston family had a tradition: everyone had to come home for the celebrations.

Lydia felt a wave of anxiety wash over her.

She was about to face Dalton.

Despite the last ten days of silence from him, she knew it was only because she was at the villa.

When Lydia heard a noise from downstairs, she quickly left the window and lay back down on the bed, feigning weakness as she gently closed her eyes.

But minutes ticked by, and after ten long minutes, Dalton still hadn’t stepped into the room.

Lydia bit her lip, opening her eyes to glance at the maid beside her. “Can you check what’s going on? Why hasn’t Dalton come in yet?”

The maid nodded and hurried out, returning shortly after.

“Mr. Dalton Aniston is playing chess with Sir Aniston. He said he wouldn’t be coming up.”

Lydia instinctively clenched her fists, feeling a pang of disappointment.

“Got it,” Lydia replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

The chess game dragged on for the entire morning, and it felt as if Dalton had completely forgotten about her, his wife.

Lydia’s emotions were a tangled mess. On one hand, she hoped Dalton might notice her; on the other, she was terrified of the encounter.

The inner conflict was overwhelming and hard to pin down.

As lunchtime approached, a servant came to escort her downstairs for the meal.

Under normal circumstances, Lydia would have been careful and reserved with the Aniston Villa.

But now, as she was pregnant, even the staff at the Aniston Villa treated her with greater respect, and Charlotte hadn’t ordered her around at all.

Lydia enjoyed this newfound deference. It made her feel that once the baby was born, she would have a stronger standing.

This only strengthened her resolve to carry the child to term.