Secret Admiration: Finding True Love After Prison
Chapter 41

Secret Admiration: Finding True Love After

Chapter 41 Move On

Meryl nodded and slid under the covers, sinking into the warmth of her bed.

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Perhaps it was exhaustion that got the better of her; the

moment her head hit the pillow, she was out like a light.

Chandler, who had been preparing to lean down towards her,

froze mid-motion.

He furrowed his brow and glanced at the nightstand, where a small box-still in its packaging-sat untouched. Then his gaze shifted back to the peacefully sleeping Meryl, caught in a strange silence. With a resigned sigh, Chandler reluctantly settled onto the

bed beside her.

Yet, Meryl's sleeping posture was anything but innocent, As

she instinctively nestled into him, his strong frame tensed instantly.

The warmth radiating from her subtle fragrance sent his pulse racing.

She was like a little fox, seductive and oblivious to the chaos Chapter 41 Move On

she stirred within him.

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A wave of heat washed over Chandler, and no amount of

deep breaths quelled the rising tide of desire.

In a moment of desperation, he grabbed a cigarette and stepped out onto the balcony for some fresh air, puffing away one after another.

After a quick phone call, Chandler received a video not long

after.

It showed Meryl hitting Dalton at the bar.

He clicked to watch. The clarity was striking; every word they

exchanged was crisp and clear.

He thought, "That's one hell of a strike, Meryl. Looks like she's really moved on.

I was worried about how things would be if we ran into Dalton

in the future, but now...

I've clearly overthought it."

News of Dalton's hospital visit had spread throughout Kingsdom overnight, and it was the talk of the town.

After all, it was Meryl who used to chase after Dalton and now

Chapter 41 Move On

she was the one striking Dalton.

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Adding fuel to the fire, the recent scandal with the press had left everyone guessing.

Dalton's betrayal with Lydia was fresh in everyone's mind, and

Meryl's explosive reaction seemed perfectly justified.

However, the fallout suggested that the engagement between

Dalton and Meryl hadn't really been called off; their families

were merely saving face after the reports of Dalton getting cozy with Lydia hit the headlines.

Lydia's reputation was in tatters

When Meryl awakened, the space beside her was already

empty.

She vaguely remembered being wrapped in a warm embrace all night long.

She had always been prone to feeling cold. Chandler had

always been like a furnace, radiating warmth that she

couldn't help but lean into.

Now, as she was buried under the covers, the memory made her cheeks flush a deep crimson

She mused, "Good lord. Did I really pull that off without

Chapter 41 Move On

realizing it? What if he thinks I'm too forward?

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But then again, we are technically married now, so hugging in a bed isn't illegal."

She felt a wave of relief that Chandler was out and about;

facing him would have been nerve-racking.

Just then, her phone buzzed to life.

It was Malcolm.

Meryl had almost forgotten she had a father.

As soon as she answered, his voice came through, laced with

frustration.

"Meryl! What on earth were you thinking? Why did you take a swing at Dalton? Don't you realize he's part of the Aniston family? You're just asking for trouble!"

Meryl frowned, her irritation bubbling up. "He's the one who

wouldn't let go! If he gets punched, he brought it on himself.

I'm not like Lydia, hanging around a guy I'm supposed to be done with!"

Malcolm fell silent, taken aback.

Meryl had never been this audacious with him before, never Chapter 41 Move On

this confrontational.

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Clearly, the engagement drama had pushed her to the edge.

"Listen, Meryl, no matter how much you're feeling sour about this, Dalton and Lydia's engagement is none of your concern. That's a done deal and nothing's going to change that."

At this point, he still thought Meryl was just throwing a tantrum to try and win Dalton back.

Meryl scoffed, uninterested in justifying her actions to him.

Malcolm's tone shifted, layered with a warning. "You need to go to the hospital-apologize to Dalton. Once he's married to Lydia, we'll all be one big happy family. Don't make this uglier than it needs to be."

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