Defying Victor�s wishes, Merrie attempted to press forward with Larry.

Victor�s younger daughter, the more frail and fragile Meredith (called �Merrie�) was also experiencing relationship woes, compounded by his stark interference. While working as a volunteer at Llanview Hospital, Merrie became charmed by a kindly young intern named Larry Wolek. The two often sat and chatted, sharing their hopes and dreams with each other, and falling in love along the way.

Merrie, however, was already engaged to Dr. Ted Hale, a physician at Llanview Hospital�who unlike Larry, was from an affluent family and was well versed in high society living. Victor strongly favored Ted, and vehemently opposed the growing closeness between Merrie and Larry. Much like with Joe, Victor saw Larry�who was from more humble beginnings�as not good enough for his daughter.

Unlike Viki, Merrie wasn�t afraid to follow her heart and do what felt right to her. She eventually told Ted that she could not remain engaged to him. The next day, Ted fought with Larry over Merrie. As the argument grew heated, Ted took a deadly fall down the fourth floor fire escape landing and the Llanview Police immediately charged Larry Wolek with his murder.

Though Larry insisted to the police that Ted simply lost his footing and fell, nurse Karen Martin told the police that Larry and Ted had been arguing about Merrie. She claimed to have heard Larry threaten Ted! Larry vehemently denied this accusation, but he was lying. He had threatened Ted! But only after Merrie�s spurned fianc�e threatened to tell Merrie a terrible secret. Ted knew something that Larry desperately wanted to keep from Merrie: she was dying of a blood disease. Ted never had the chance to reveal his secret because as Ted turned away from Larry, he tripped and fell down the steps to his death. Larry stood trial and was nearly convicted of murder. However, in a closed-door session, the truth eventually came out and Larry was freed.

The court records were sealed, sparing Merrie the news that she only had a precious few months to live. Larry Wolek hoped to spend every last minute with the woman he loved. Unbeknownst to Larry, Merrie had overheard the truth about her deadly blood disease. Not wanting to burden Larry, she ran away to San Francisco, then sent him the �Dear John� letter. She didn't love him, Merrie claimed. Nurse Karen Martin was more than willing to offer Larry a shoulder to cry on. When Merrie returned, she spurned Larry�s overtures to get back together. Bewildered, Larry wept in Karen�s open arms.