One year, one love by Aurora Miller

Chapter 5

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Ryan’s outrageous demands left Doris utterly speechless, her rage fueled by his audacity. She couldn’t comprehend how he could utter something so selfish and repulsive with such nonchalance.

A cold laugh escaped her lips, sharp and biting. “Ryan, what do you take me for? Do you seriously expect me to become the other woman in your life?

“I may come from a humble background, but I’m not so lowly that I’d stoop to something so degrading. If you truly loved me, you’d never make such a shameless request.”

Ryan’s expression twisted into one of wounded indignation as he scrambled to defend himself. “If I didn’t love you, why would I even bother trying to make you stay?”

“Oh, so I should fall to my knees, overwhelmed with gratitude, and cry tears of joy?” Doris shot back with a mocking sneer.

His brow furrowed deeply, frustration simmering in his eyes. “Doris, must you speak to me like this?”

Her voice was calm, yet firm, each word cutting like shards of glass. “Ryan, I will get married one day. I will have children and build a happy home. But it won’t be with you. From now on, let’s go our separate ways.”

She rose from her seat with an air of quiet determination, her clear, wide eyes radiating a glacial serenity.

As she walked past Ryan, his deep voice drifted to her ears. “Doris, there’s something you need to know. Not long ago, your parents came to me begging for a loan. One million dollars. If you insist on breaking up with me, we’ll need to settle this debt.”

‘One million dollars?‘ she thought. The sheer figure rendered Doris momentarily speechless, a wave of disbelief washing over her. I’ll speak with my parents to get to the bottom of this. Once I confirm it’s true, I’ll pay you back every penny.”

Ryan’s lips curled into a smirk, his businesslike demeanor surfacing. “Doris, one million dollars is no small sum for your family. How exactly do you plan to pay it back? With your measly salary? It’ll take you a lifetime. I’m not running a charity”

Doris earned about four thousand dollars a month, half of which went to support her parents. What little remained barely covered her expenses, leaving her with hardly any savings after years of scrimping and saving.

Ryan leaned back in his chair, his voice dripping with condescension. “Doris, be sensible. If you agree to stay with me, I won’t pursue the matter.

“And when your brother gets married, I’ll throw in a generous sum as a wedding gift, ensuring your family can host a grand celebration. Doesn’t that sound like a fair deal?”

“Shame on you,” Doris hissed, her fury bubbling over. Without a second thought, she grabbed the lemonade from the table and flung it into Ryan’s face.

The icy liquid splattered across his perfectly groomed features, leaving him stunned. “Doris,” he growled, his voice low and dangerous as her name slipped through clenched teeth. He hadn’t anticipated this fiery side of the usually gentle and composed girl.

Doris’s eyes blazed with fury. “Ryan, you can keep dreaming if you think I’ll ever do as you say.”

As she turned to leave, Ryan’s hand shot out, gripping her wrist with a force that betrayed his mounting anger. The veins on his temple throbbed, his temper on the brink of exploding. “Doris, don’t you dare walk away from me like this,” he snarled. “Don’t push me.”

Doris didn’t flinch. Instead, her tone was laced with disdain, every word a dagger aimed at his pride. “Have you no shame, Ryan Her eyes bore into his, unwavering. “Let go of me. Or I’ll call the police.”

argument had already drawn quite a bit of attention in the restaurant. The weight of

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his stance. Making a scene in public was the last thing he wanted.

Doris’s wrist.

regret this, he declared with the kind of

with another word. With her head held high, she turned and walked away, her every step

outside, Lola stood up and rushed over, her brows furrowed with concern. “Did he lay

head, her voice light and almost anused. “If anything, I gave him a taste of his own medicine. I poured a

laugh. “Serves him right,” she said, her tone dripping

through Lola’s and steering

Lola’s gaze flitted over to a sleek Rolls–Royce parked nearby. She tugged on Doris’s arm, her excitement bubbling over. “Did you see that car?

license plate

family

it, their heir

blink at the information. “So what?” she replied, her voice

you’d marry the Hartman heir if you had the chance? He’s back now, so here’s your

tipsy bravado from the previous night. I was joking,” she said, feeling a little mortified.

now. If you snag the Hartman heir, not only would you be set for life and make me proud, but even Ryan would have to bow down to you. Imagine the look on his face.” Lola teased, giving Doris a playful nudge.

then added, “Besides, I’m dying to see

“What’s there to see? Two eyes, a nose, and a mouth.

Lola huffed, her curiosity unabated. “I just want to know if he’s ridiculously handsome or

he’s just low–key.”

the street, they happened to pass right in front of

glanced in Doris’s direction and

Hartman.”

in his hand, landing squarely on his wife. “I see her,” he murmured, his

velvet.

unaware of the attention, walked with an effortless grace. Her casual low ponytail swayed gently as she chatted and laughed with Lola, her vibrant energy

beauty made her seem almost otherworldly, as if

Wed, 26 Feb

Chapter 5

life. She was like the first bloom of vivid and full of

spring.

herself into her work, entirely unbothered by

Doris fished out her keys and tried to unlock the door, but no matter how many times she twisted the key, the lock wouldn’t

hadn’t gone to the wrong place, but