One year, one love by Aurora Miller

One ye

Chapter 1

In the bustling city of Hampstone, the upscale Elevate Lounge glittered with its kaleidoscope of lights, an intoxicating blend of neon and elegance. Doris Reed, however, was nursing her champagne in a quiet corner, her mood as bitter as the betrayal shed endured this moning

Her boyfriend or rather, ex–boyfriend–Ryan Watson had shattered her heart, and now her best friend Lola Bates had dragged her here to celebrate life at a friend’s exclusive party

I bought you here to scope out men, not drown in champagne, Lola exclaimed, snatching the delicate tulip glass from Doris’s hand with an air of annoyanc

“This champagne’s good, Dorks murmured, her lips curling into a faint smile as she lazily licked a stray drop of champagne from the corner of her mouth.

Lola narrowed her eyes, sighing dramatically, “Doris, do you know the sacrifices I made to get this invitation from Calvin Hunter–the heir to the Hunter family? Tonight, half of Hampstone’s most eligible heirs are here.

“If you don’t take this opportunity, I swear I’ll scream. Do not let a spineless weasel like Ryan get in the way and ruin your

Lola punctuated her words with a cold laugh. “He had the audacity to get engaged to another woman behind your back! Fine. Find someone better to marry–someone who’ll blow him out of the water. Show him you’re even better off without him. He’ll be so humiliated.

“Look over there. That man in the white suit is Clark Foster, heir to the Foster family. And the one in the khaki suit? That’s Abel Lane, heir to the Lane family….

Lola’s enthusiasm could have lit up the room, but Doris remained unimpressed and retorted, “If we’re aiming high, why not go all the way? What about the heir to the Hartman family? He’s the most sought–after man in the entire city. Compared to him, Ryan is nothing but trash”

For a moment, Lola froze mid–sip and turned to Doris, her eyes glinting with surprise and admiration. But Lola’s expression

soon shifted into one of doubt.

“The Hartman heir? Doris, be serious, He’s not just any man–he’s untouchable, practically a myth,” Lola said, her voice tinged with skepticism. “Maybe pick someone a little more realistic?”

The Hartman family was the crown jewel of Hampstone’s elite–a dynasty with a legacy that stretched back over a century. Their heir was at the very top of the social pyramid. Ryan was nothing compared to him.

The Hartman heir had been living abroad for years, and there wasn’t a single photo of him available online.

Doris’s eyes sparkled with a determination that seemed to cut through the dimly lit lounge. “You’re the one who said I should find someone who could outshine Ryan in every possible way. I’ve made up my mind–it has to be him

Lola stared at her friend in awe and disbelief. After a long pause, she drained the rest of her champagne in one dramatic gulp. “Fine. You’re gorgeous, so I’ll ask around and see if I can dig up anything on him.”

Doris chuckled, brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “Let me know if you find anything. I’m heading to the

With that excuse, she slipped out of the sprawling lounge, her figure cutting an elegant silhouette as she walked away, her thoughts swirling with equal parts heartbreak and an intoxicating sense of defiance.

Under the deepening night sky, the garden lay bathed in silvery moonlight, its soft glow illuminating the delicate blossoms and casting long, dreamy shadows. A smattering of stars twinkled like scattered diamonds across the sky, lending an ethereal serenity to the scene.

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emotions settling heavily on her chest. She had barely taken a moment to breathe when she

her dress

with a coat of golden brown and white, its ears perked up like

is called kicking someone when they’re down, Doris said, momentarily distracted from her gloomy thoughts as she scolded the little troublemaker. “If you let go now, I might just forgive you”

no intention of listening. It rugged on her dress with a single–minded determination, oblivious to her growing annoyance.

glare. “What, you think I’m an easy target too?”

sting of betrayal from earlier. This morning, she had discovered her ex- boyfriend’s affair: now, even a dog was adding insult

hurt lodged in her throat as the unfairness of it all brought a prickling heat to

her very eyes, the lightweight fabric of her dress gave way with a sharp tear. Her breath hitched as she saw the damage. I said let go. Are you deal? You you’re bullying me,” she exclaimed, her voice trembling with

of a mountain stream, clear and cool yet impossibly magnetic. Doris froze,

garden path was a tall, commanding

newcomer in awe. The man’s striking features were

sharp, intelligent eyes that seemed to glint even in the low light. His nose was sculpted to perfection, his lips sensual and full, and his chiseled jawline was a testament

The moonlight spilled over him like liquid silver, accentuating the sharp

an untouchable grace that was both intimidating

wondered, her mind fumbling to process the

again with a frown, his voice firm

his presence, released Doris’s dress immediately and slunk to its master’s side. It lowered its head and tucked its tail, looking

arched a brow, her gaze flitting between the corgi and the impossibly handsome

yours?

his gaze meeting her misty eyes with a calm intensity that made

glanced down at her torn hem and then back up at him, a faint, almost teasing smile curving her lips. “You’re really offering to compensate me?”

tone steady

took a step closer to

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in

His posture was effortlessly upright, his bearing regal yet natural. There was an undeniable air

shimmering under the

this have to do with me? he thought.

her delicate face upward, her beauty captivating yet understated,

and youthful, with its puffed sleeves and graceful U–shaped neckline. The open back revealed her smooth, flawless skin and the curve of her shoulder blades, an alluring

flowing hem, the fabric was adorned with scattered five–petaled flowers, tiny crystal beads, and iridescent sespins that shimmered like stardust in the moonlight. She looked like a vision from a fairytale–ethereal