One year, one love by Aurora Miller

13:02 Wed, 26 Feb FRA·

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

At precisely 7 a.m., Doris was jolted awake by the sharp blare of her alarm clock still grozzy, she forced herself out of bed, washed up quickly, and began getting ready for the day

Timing it perfectly to avoid her father, Jimmy Reed, Doris approached her mother, Peyton Reed, with a feigned casualness. “Mom, can I borrow my birth certificate for a bit? I need to make a copy for some paperwork”

In truth. Doris wasn’t entirely sure if Lewis would show up at the city hall as promised, but she was willing to take the gamble.

Peyton handed over the certificate without much thought, her tone carrying a teasing lilt. “If you’re using this to get married to Mr. Watson, your father would be over the moon”

“Mom, can you not bring him up?” Doris’s voice turned sharp, irritation flashing across her face. She hated how her parents constantly brought up Ryan, as if he were the pinnacle of perfection rather than the cheat he had proven to be

Grabbing her things, she muttered, “I’m heading to work.” And then the left before Peyton could respond.

Not long after she stepped outside, Doris’s phone buzzed with a call from an unknown number. She hesitated but picked it

up.

“Hello, is this Doris Reed?” An elderly woman’s voice came through, warm and gentle.

“Yes, this is Doris. Who’s speaking?” Doris asked, puzzled.

“Im Margaret Hartman, the lady you helped bring to the hospital yesterday, the voice explained kindly. “I got your number from the nurse. You left your number with the nurse when you registered me. I hope you don’t mind.”

Doris blinked in recognition. So that’s who it is, she thought

The memory came rushing back–yesterday, before meeting her friend Lola for a shopping trip, she’d come across Margaret, who had fainted in the street. Without hesitation, Doris had called an ambulance and stayed by Margaret’s side until she was safely admitted to the hospital.

“What can I do for you?” Doris asked.

“The doctor mentioned that you paid for my medical bills yesterday,” Margaret said, her tone tinged with gratitude. “Would you mind coming by the hospital? I’d like to reimburse you.”

Doris hesitated for only a moment before agreeing. “Sure, I can do that.” After all, the money was rightfully hers, and she wasn’t one to play coy about something so practical.

It was a convenient detour–Hampstone General Hospital was right next to the city hall in Cornton Heights, where she was headed anyway.

On her way, Doris stopped at a small shop and picked up a cheerful gift basket filled with fruits and snacks. When she arrived at Margaret’s hospital room, she walked in with a warm smile. “Good morning, ma’am. How are you feeling today?”

Margaret, who had just finished breakfast, lit up at the sight of her. Her lined face softened with a deep smile. “You’re here. I hope I’m not keeping you from anything important.”

“Not at all,” Doris replied, setting the gift basket down on a nearby table.

“You didn’t need to bring me a gift, Margaret said, touched but slightly flustered. “I don’t even know how to thank you. enough” She gestured for Doris to come closer. “Come, sit with me.”

the chair beside the bed, her demeanor relaxed. “There’s no need to thank me. I’m just glad you’re doing well”

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her face crinkled in pleasant folds. “What a lovely, kind–hearted

her a polite, faint smile. “I

that’s just wonderful.” She clapped her hands lightly on

tilted her head slightly, confusion flickering across

Margaret covered her mouth with a sheepish laugh. “What I mean is, I happen to know someone who would be perfect

about setting me up on

amusement.

polite refusal. “I actually have plans to meet someone at the

room. The pristine white of his shirt enhanced his chiseled features, giving him

supposed to meet at the city hall

bed. Doris’s wide, startled gaze betrayed her shock. She hadn’t expected to see him here of all places, and the suddenness of it made her feel like she’d just been caught in the act of some social

to her cheeks as embarrassment prickled her skin. She felt like if there were ever a moment to be swallowed by the earth, this was

aback, a flicker of surprise passing through his deep, enchanting eyes before his expression settled. into

the room. Instead, Doris’s earlier words about getting married left a

young lady, Doris Reed,

of

Hartman, nice to

a polite smile, though inside, her nerves felt like a violin string stretched too tight.

His gaze lingered, as though testing her resolve. “If she doesn’t want me to acknowledge her, I’ll oblige her little

eager to escape the unbearable awkwardness. “Margaret, I have

sighed, clearly reluctant to let her go. There was something about Doris that struck a chord with her, and she couldn’t help wishing she’d gotten to know

me, would you? And make sure to thank her properly”

holding it open before following her into

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punctuated the

Reed. Lewis called after her, his voice composed but commanding. “A moment,

her purse. Turning slowly,

in

he said, closing the distance between them in two long strides. His sowering frame made her feel

worries” Doris murmured and shook her head, her gaze fixed firmly on the floor. She didn’t dare meer teves knowing they would

11

weather. Weren’t you beaded to the cry tall so permet Coincidentally, so am 1. Shall we go together? Without waiting for her

lashes fluttered in astonishment. Did he really just bring up last night’s conversation he still remember that she thought, utterly

in Cornton Heights, the clock struck 6:50 am. The morning air was rig but