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

her eyes lingering for just a moment longer

was wearing a thin knit cardigan over her pajamas, the

make breakfast, but the fridge is pretty empty, Doris admitted. “I’m gonna go out and grab something instead. Just

stepped inside, brushing past her as he headed toward the

him, captivated by the fluid ease of his movements. He opened the fridge, took

The muscles in his throat shifted with each

the collar of his shirt. The sheer physicality of him was impossible to ignore–effortlessly

counter. “Mr. Hartman, aren’t you having breakfast? Skipping it isn’t good for your health.”

bottle of water down on the counter with a casual thud. “I

hotel where I work. They provide employee breakfasts. To save money for her

raised an eyebrow, seeming amused. “Convenient.” He appreciated the efficiency of it all. With that, it seemed their breakfast arrangements would remain separate.

added with a touch of humor, her smile widening

as his gaze flickered to her. “Did you sleep well

well,” she replied

tone turning more direct. “Feeling better too, I hope?”

but then nodded again.

arched slightly higher. “So, what happened yesterday?”

her. Memories of her father’s harsh words and being forced out of her home surged to

quietly, her voice steady but tinged with bitterness. I refused, and

face remained unreadable, though a flicker of suspicion crossed his sharp eyes. The timing struck him as too coincidental–marrying him one day and being kicked out

tightened as she responded with calm

my wife.” Lewis said, his voice even and composed. There’s no

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Chapter 7

slightly, opening a drawer in

bit

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

he hase in Tale

enga

aand by

raring

wondered

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

encounter with her yesterday, he

question slipping out

my parents, Lewis answered after a brief

he lived in one of the estates within the exclusive Suell Hill community in Hamperone. The pending cords and opulent design were

just a convenient purchase

lowering her gaze.

stay here? Lewis thought, the Beeting question surfacing before he

it off

change the subject, he asked, “Do

thank you. My father’s still funos right now. Going home would only make things worse. I’ll wait until he cools down. Besides, I don’t have much to pack.

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

Doris’s decision and didn’t press the matter further. He simply went back to his room to shower and change