Secret Admiration: Finding True Love After Prison

Secref Admiration: Finding True Love After P...

Chapter 703 A Twinge of Longing Deep

Emilia's heart raced, the thrum so loud it echoed in her ears. Adrenaline surged, sharp, and unrelenting. This was fear-the kind that made your blood run cold; the kind that whispered death was near.

She'd always known men like him-living on the edge, cold-blooded and unfeeling. But she hadn't truly understood until now. His calm ruthlessness wasn't an act. If he wanted, he could end her life without hesitation.

"Why can't I be a cashier?" Emilia forced down the rising panic, her tone deliberately light, almost puzzled.

She didn't look back, focusing instead on adjusting the flowers in the vase on the table. "Is it because you find it strange? A girl with a house, a car, working at a convenience store-it doesn't add up?"

Her laugh was soft, but it carried a bitter edge. "Honestly, I come from a pretty wealthy family. The house, the car-all my parents' money. And the cashier gig? That's just a distraction, something to keep me busy after I got kidnapped a while back." Andy's eyes narrowed slightly, the only sign her words caught him off guard. He stayed silent, his gaze fixed on her as she busied herself with the flowers. Whatever he was thinking, he didn't let it show.

fter the kidnapping people started treating me like I was

Chapter 703 A Twinge of Longing Deep love match, just a family arrangement."

She gave a small shrug as if brushing off the sting of her own words. "Still, in our world, being talked about like that, it sticks. I became a joke to everyone. The rich can be cruel, you know? They laughed, they gossiped, and they tore me apart behind my back. "That's why I took the job at the store. It gave me something to do and helped me focus on anything but that mess. Is it so hard to believe a rich girl could work as a cashier?"

Andy's grip on the gun didn't waver, but Emilia noticed he hadn't lowered it either. She hesitated, then pressed on, her voice dropping a notch. "After the ransom, my family took a huge hit. We're drowning in debt now. My dad even mortgaged the company to keep us afloat."

Her gaze dropped to the floor, her shoulders sagging under the weight of her words. It wasn't all a lie. The Clarke family wasn't what it used to be.

Her voice caught slightly, the vulnerability creeping through despite her efforts to mask it. "Every time I see my parents, I feel this crushing guilt. Like it's all my fault. That's why I moved out It's easier this way."

She reached up, brushing at the corner of her eye, the gesture soft, almost hesitant. "And now that you know my secrets, you probably think even less of me, don't you?"

Andy watched as she sank to the floor, hugging her knees. Her shoulders trembled with the effort to hold it together, but he knew better-she was crying. His lips thinned into a line, and

Chapter 703 A Twinge of Longing Deep

He understood that feeling all too well. Once upon a time, the Morgan family had been powerful too, until everything fell apart. He'd seen it all-the betrayals, the fake smiles, the knives in the back when they were at their lowest. Andy thought, "I kidnapped Emilia because she was supposed to marry Christopher. I thought Rachel had feelings for him. It seems she hasn't recognized me. If she had, she wouldn't dare bring me home like this."

Andy stepped closer, his shadow falling over her. Sensing his presence, Emilia looked up. Her tear-streaked face was flushed, her wide eyes shimmering with unshed tears. She looked fragile, like someone who could shatter with a word. Before he realized what he was doing, Andy reached out and rested his hand lightly on her head. "Quiet down."

Emilia blinked, caught off guard. "What kind of line is that? You're terrible at comforting people."

She plopped down fully onto the floor, crying even harder. "Can't you at least say something normal, like, 'Don't cry? What's with 'quiet down'?"

Andy whispered, "I won't..."

Emilia's head tilted, confused. "What?"

"I won't look down on you," he said simply.noveldrama

She froze, staring at him, the words sinking in. He was answering her question from earlier, "Now that you know my

secrets, you

Chapter 703 A Twinge of Longing Deep probably think even less of me, don't you?"

Her lips parted slightly in surprise. She thought, "Does he actually believe my story?" "What's your name?" she asked softly.

Andy opened his mouth as if to reply, then thought better of it, staying silent.

Not pressing further, Emilia pulled out her broken phone, retrieved the SIM card, and slid it into an old spare. Andy noticed the phone was at least three years old.

"Looks like you won't be able to pay me back anytime soon," Emilia said lightly, changing the subject.

Andy didn't respond.

"Well, I guess I'll just have to let you crash on the couch until your injuries heal. But don't forget-you still owe me money." Emilia disappeared into her bedroom and returned with a blanket, tossing it onto the sofa.

She thought, "If getting close to him means keeping him under my roof, so be it. I need to know who this man is and what he is hiding."

"Rest up." With that, she turned and shut the door behind her.

Andy stood there, staring at the pink blanket and the first-aid kit she'd left behind. If she hadn't brought him home, he would've been sleeping on the streets tonight.

Chapter 703 A Twinge of Longing Deep

his shoulder, wincing as pain flared. To distract himself, he glanced around the apartment.

It was small but cozy. The floor-to-ceiling windows were framed by billowing white curtains that swayed gently in the breeze. The pink sofa was trimmed with lace, and the table was adorned with fresh flowers that filled the air with their faint, sweet scent. The entire place radiated a sense of warmth and charm-so unmistakably hers. Exhaustion crept over Andy, the fever and the day's events finally catching up.

At six-foot-two, Andy barely fit on the sofa, his long legs hanging off the edge. The pink, lacy cushions created a stark contrast to his imposing frame. With a quiet sigh, he slid his gun under the pillow and closed his eyes.

11

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At dawn, the first rays of light gently seeped through the curtains. Meryl stirred awake, her gaze drifting to Chandler, who was slumped against the edge of the bed, seemingly asleep.

She thought, "Has he stayed there all night?" Her eyes lingered on Chandler's sharp and handsome features, and for a brief moment, her mind wandered.

A strange turmoil stirred within her. She had asked for a divorce, but he had refused. And Meryl knew Chandler well-enough-if he didn't agree, there would be no way to end this marriage.

But her resolve hadn't wavered. She didn't want to keep living in amarriage that left her teetering between doubt and discontent.

Chapter 703 A Twinge of Longing Deep

To pass the early hours, Meryl reached for her phone and scrolled through her Instagram. Casey had just wrapped up his Eldoria tour and was celebrating with his team.

Meryl clicked on the photos he had shared-and froze. Several prominent figures from the Eldoria classical music scene, individuals she had only ever seen on TV or in news articles, appeared in the group photo.

She thought, "Does Casey actually know these people?" Her lips curled into a small smile as a wave of excitement bubbled within

her.

These were the same legends she had idolized over a decade ago when she first began learning the cello-names she had only read about in textbooks.

Without hesitation, Meryl sent a "bowing in worship" emoji and commented: [Being a top-tier musician must be amazing. It's a dream of mine to meet these icons in person.]

Perhaps because of the time difference, Casey just finished his party and replied almost instantly: [You know, you could make that happen too.]

Meryl brushed it off as casual encouragement, thinking nothing more of it. But then Casey followed up with a direct message: [Honestly, you have real talent on the cello. With another two years of practice, you could easily hold your own concert.] Meryl thought, "Hold a concert? That isn't even something I dare to imagine."

A moment later, another message from Casey popped up-a

Chapter 703 A Twinge of Longing Deep

717

Meryl opened it and found the admissions guide for Brookstone *College of Music.

Casey added: [Brookstone College of Music emphasizes practical training. Their students get to collaborate with world-class musicians and producers, gaining hands-on experience in real performances and productions.]

Scrolling through the details, Meryl noticed that there were only two months left until the application deadline. She felt a twinge of longing deep in her chest.

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