One year, one love by Aurora Miller

Chapter 6

Chapter 6

Doris’s parents had always favored their youngest child over their other kids. Peyton, her mother, might have held some affection for Doris, but it was sparse and fleeting. For Rupert, Doris’s younger brother, they were willing to sacrifice anything —even their own daughter Doris,

A chill spread through Doris’s heart, a frost slowly thickening over the depth of her soul. Her chest tightened, the numbing cold spreading to her fingers as she clenched her hands into lists, the knuckles turning pale. “Fine. I get it.”

Jimmy assumed Doris had come to her senses. His expression softened into what he believed was reasoned persuasion.

“Good. It’s for the best. Mr. Watson is your perfect match–your only real future.

Doris’s

is lips curled into a grimm smile as she retorted, “If you’re so fond of Ryan, why don’t you marry him yourself?”

Her words hit like a slap, and Jimmy’s face darkened, his fury igniting instantly. “You ungrateful brat… he roared. “Piss off. Get out of my sight.”

Before Doris could react, Jimmy slammed the door shut before her with finality. His voice thundered from the other side. Tve already changed the locks. Don’t even think about coming back unless you make up with Mr. Watson. Until then, stay out there and think about what you’ve done.”

Peyton hesitated, her voice trembling with unease. Jimmy, it’s so late, and it looks like it’s raining outside…”

Jimmy spun toward her, his anger now directed at his wife. “Are you trying to make things worse? If you’re so concerned, why don’t you go out there and join her?”

Peyton recoiled as tears welled up in her eyes.

Jimmy sneered, his voice dripping with disgust, “Crying again? That’s all you ever do. It’s exhausting. Now get in the kitchen. and make dinner. I’m starving”

Silently, Peyton wiped her tears in a hurry and swallowed her sorrow, retreating into the kitchen without another word.

Outside, Doris stood frozen in the rain, taking deep breaths as she fought back the tears stinging her eyes. Her family home had never been a place of warmth or love to her.

It had always been a cold, suffocating cage, and now that cage had been slammed shut.

Jimmy and Peyton had two daughters and a son. Doris was the middle child.

Her older sister, Laura Reed–now Laura Webb–had dutifully obeyed their father’s wishes and married the owner of a small business. She was now a full–time housewife.

Her younger brother Rupert, the golden child, had reconnected with an old community college classmate, Claudia Robinson. After dating for two years, the two were set to marry, even though Rupert had only just turned twenty–two.

Doris, on the other hand, had always been the rebellious one, the black sheep. Her decision to break up with Ryan only confirmed her parents‘ long–held belief that she was the problem child, the ungrateful one.

Before she realized it, her aimless steps had led her to Hampstone General Hospital

She stopped outside, her feet unwilling to move further. She couldn’t bring herself to disturb Margaret, who was resting upstairs. Instead, she sank onto a bench near the hospital entrance.

The rain fell softly, a gentle drizzle painting the night sky. Doris tilted her head back, watching the raindrops streak across the faint glow of the streetlights. A hollow ache filled her chest, a deep sense of loneliness seeping into her bones.

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Wed, 26

Chapter 6

over Lola’s

over her, and the sound of raindrops softened. Looking up, she saw a large black umbrella shielding

one hand holding the umbrella steady. His crisp white shirt had its sleeves rolled up, revealing strong, muscular forearms.

88%1

gazed down at her, taking in the sight of her fragile frame. Doris sat there like

immediately landing on Dors. She sat alone in the rain, her hair dampened by the drizzle, strands

voice

long lashes casting shadows over her cheeks. She had no

moment, then decided not to press further. “Why are you

voice cracked, dry and hoarse. “I have nowhere to go. Can L…

“Come with me.” He turned on

down a

inside, Lewis pulled out his phone and sent a quick message to his driver: [Pick up the Aston Martin

hospital to

risk exposing his true identity, so leaving

of the tires on wet pavement filling the space between them. Twenty minutes later, they arrived at Greenlake Hill, a boutique residential complex known for its exclusivity and tasteful design.

unlocked the door with a quick fingerprint scan and gestured

an atmosphere that was both modern and coolly detached. The clean lines and

eaten?” His voice, calm and deep, broke the silence.

and shook

“You’ll

white cotton T–shirt and a pair of casual pants. “There’s no women’s clothing here, so you’ll

curling around the soft fabric. Her

“Thank you.”

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Chapter 6

her. “After your shower, use an

quiet care stirred a mix of gratitude and warmth in

water cascade over her. The steady

felt as if some of the

emerged from the shower, her face clean and her damp hair hanging loosely over her shoulders, she

for her, their loose fit emphasizing her slender frame, but they were

bathroom, Doris was greeted by the aroma of something savory. Her stomach immediately growled

response.

room and picked up the ice pack, pressing

the kitchen, Lewis was standing at the island counter, his movements crisp and efficient as he placed a steaming plate of spaghetti bolognese

he called to her.

landed on the plate of pasta, the rich aroma wafting up to tease her senses. The

the dish