One year, one love by Aurora Miller

Chapter 7

Chapter 7

his

Doris could clearly see every single one of Lewis’s long, thick fashes, ach one casting a faint shadow wine is shuurge

cheekbones

She had just stepped out of the shower. Her faint floral fragrance lingered in the air, drifting toward Lewis and wrapping itself around him like an invisible thread

Lewis suddenly froze, the hand holding the cotton swab suspended mid–air His lashes fluttered slightly as he glanced unge at her, his gaze meeting hers.

Doris, caught off guard by his penetrating look, felt her composure crumble. Her cheeks, already flushed, deepened in color until they seemed to burn.

Realizing something, Lewis abruptly drew back, breaking the moment. “Can you manage the rest yourself? I still need to wash

my glass,” he said, his tone casual but slightly stilted.

“Y–yes, I can,” Doris stammered, hurriedly taking the cotton swab from his hand. “You go ahead. I’ll head to my room now Good night”

Hastily gathering the ice pack, ointment, and cotton swab, she turned and all but fled the room.

Lewis watched her retreating figure, a faint smirk tugging at the corners of his lips.

Doris made it a few steps down the hall before stopping in her tracks. She frowned slightly, biting her lip as though steeling herself for something. Finally, she turned back and asked hesitantly, “W–which room should I sleep in?”

Lewis’s response was immediate, calm. “First door on the left.”

“Thank you,” she murmured, nodding quickly before disappearing into the room.

Later that night, Doris lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. Exhaustion weighed heavy on her, but sleep cluded her. She tossed and turned, unable to settle.

Maybe it was because the bed was unfamiliar, or perhaps the whirlwind of worries that had been plaguing her lately was finally catching up to her.

Frustrated, she kicked at the blanket a couple of times, then pulled it over her head in a huff. Just count sheep,‘ she thought to herself firmly. She lost track somewhere around the hundredth sheep, her consciousness finally drifting into slumber.

When Doris opened her eyes again, sunlight was already streaming through the curtains. A glance at the clock revealed it was well past 7 a.m., and she bolted out of bed, quickly washing up before heading to the kitchen.

Opening the refrigerator, she found it almost entirely barren–just a few bottles of water, two eggs, and a lone tomato. She stared at the sparse contents, her plans to make Lewis breakfast as a small way of thanking him crumbling in an instant,

With a sigh, she decided her only option was to grab something from the shops outside the complex.

Just as she reached for the door handle, it turned on its own and swung inward.

Standing in the doorway was Lewis, dressed in a lightweight gray tracksuit that hugged his athletic frame. The fabric stretched over his broad shoulders and tapered down to his lean, powerful legs, every inch exuding masculine strength.

His skin glistened faintly, a sheen of sweat evidence of his morning workout. Each bead of sweat seemed to emphasize his discipline and maturity, catching the morning light as they rolled over his defined jawline.

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13:03 Wed, 26 Feb FEE

Chapter 7

glance, her eyes lingering for just a moment longer than she intended. “Good morning.

cardigan over her pajamas, the casual combination somehow endearing. “Were you

pretty empty, Doris admitted. “I’m gonna go out and grab something instead.

necessary. Lewis stepped inside, brushing past

movements. He opened the fridge, took out a bottle of water, and twisted the

The muscles in his throat

of his shirt. The sheer physicality of him was impossible to ignore–effortlessly commanding, utterly magnetic, and seemingly oblivious to the effect he had.

followed him into the Kitchen and stood hesitantly by the island counter. “Mr. Hartman, aren’t you having breakfast? Skipping

the counter with a casual thud. “I always eat breakfast

usually eat at the hotel where I work. They provide employee breakfasts. To save money for her family, she’d always opted to

“Convenient.” He appreciated the efficiency of it all. With that,

added with a touch of humor, her smile widening slightly

surface as his gaze flickered to her. “Did you sleep well last night?”

replied with a polite

tone turning more direct. “Feeling better

but then

slightly higher. “So, what happened

of her father’s harsh words and being forced out of her home surged to the surface, but she steadied herself.

she admitted quietly, her voice steady but tinged with bitterness.

of suspicion crossed his sharp eyes. The timing struck him as too coincidental–marrying him one day and being kicked out the next. It was enough to make him

the unspoken doubt lingering in the air. Her expression tightened as she responded with calm dignity. “Mr. Hartman, thank you

even and composed.

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Wed, 26

Chapter 7

a drawer in the

bit

the key to the apartment. If you ever have nowhere to go

metal by trendinning, he hase in Tale

enga

aand by and

paused for a second, his mind raring with thoughs.

wondered

here most of the tore owe the art one’s my ‘

her yesterday, he

the question slipping out before

stay with my parents, Lewis answered

the exclusive Suell Hill community in Hamperone. The pending cords

apartment in Greenlake Hill was just a convenient purchase for

Doris murmured, lowering

I don’t stay here? Lewis thought, the Beeting question surfacing

it off

the subject, he asked, “Do you

make things worse.

worried that if Lewis really went home with her, it would only provoke her father further. The last thing she wanted

He simply went