One year, one love by Aurora Miller

Chapter

Chapter 8

Time had flown by, and horis had already been living in the spacious three–bedroom apartment in Greenlake Hill for three

days

The 1500–square–foot home was hers alone during that time, and she relished the tranquility. It felt like a slice of paradise. the kind of peace that seeped into her bones.

But as serene as the place was, it was glaringly incomplete–especially the kitchen. So, Doris had taken it upon herself to fill

the void

She’d gone on a shopping spree, buying kitchen tools online and picking up household essentials at the supermarket. Slowly but surely, the once–empty space started to feel more like a home,

After work, she found herself tearing through the pile of delivered packages like a child on Christmas morning, reveling in the sheer joy of unpacking

“What on earth are you doing?” Lewis’s sharp voice echoed in the room, startling her.

She froze mid–rip, turning toward the unexpected intrusion. “What are you doing here?” she asked, panic flickering across her face.

“I’m the one asking questions,” Lewis replied, one brow arching high. “Did you just drag a landfill into the house?”

Lewis’s aversion to thess was well–known and he had a borderline obsession with cleanliness. The sight before him–a kitchen littered with boxes, torn packaging, and random items strewn across the floor–was nothing short of a nightmare.

He stood there, looking as if his world had been thrown into disarray, barely containing his frustration.

“This pristine kitchen of yours looks like it’s never seen a meal,” Doris muttered with a pout, clutching a half–opened box. “I golta cat. I’m only human, you know.”

Lewis’s tone turned colder, his patience waning. “You have ten minutes to clean this up. No, scratch that–five minutes. If not, I’ll have someone come and throw everything out”

“Five minutes?” Doris gasped, wide–eyed. “That’s impossible.”

“Fine. Make it three, he shot back before pivoting sharply and heading toward the bedroom.

As his tall, broad frame disappeared down the hall, Doris couldn’t help muttering under her breath, “What a neat freak.”

So much for her initial impression of him as a laid–back guy. Today, she got a taste of his no–nonsense side, and it was nothing short of terrifying

Not wanting to test his patience further, Doris quickly got to work tidying up. By the time she finished, Lewis was still nowhere to be seen.

With the place back in order, she decided to shift gears and make herself a decent dinner with the new kitchen tools she’d bought.

Pulling out fresh ingredients, she started preparing a comforting meal–hearty beef chili and Caesar salad, followed by some tomato

was putting the finishing touches on the soup, Lewis emerged from the

tailored suit. Instead, he wore a simple gray loungewear set that clung to his broad shoulders in a way that was annoyingly attractive. His damp hair fell across his forehead, softening the sharp edges of his face. For a moment, he almost

14

Wed, 26

Chapter 8

fridge, grabbed a bottle of mineral water, and took a sip before speaking, “troni deres something I need to tell you Starting Today,

look at Doris Living together seemed like the only

a freight train. She blinked at him, her ladle pausing mid–air Then one out to

11

much for settling in the thought moerly

here. Consider it a thank you gift for

we’re married, my home is your home. You can stay here. Renting a place is expensive and not exactly side. Deelt you

his reasoning was sound. She nodded in agreement

the stickler for boundaries, added. “One thing–don’t go into my bedroom without permission.

thinking to herself, ‘As if

a smile, she turned to Lewis and offered warmly, “Mr. Hartman, have you eaten? If not, feel free

expression skeptical. “Did you actually

lips curving into a

if he wanted to say something but decided against it. Seeing his rare moment of obvious

you can keep it to yourself then, Lewis retorted, though

that evening, so he returned home early. After a refreshing shower that drained some of his energy, combined with the

don’t let it go to waste. Come on, eat.” She handed him a

food would be a shame.” Reluctantly, Lewis pulled out a chair

word to expose his excuse, but the smile on her face spoke volumes as she nodded and tucked

expected. Normally, he avoided anything

at him with expectant eyes. “How’s my cooking?”

tamped down the urge to compliment her outright. Keeping his expression neutral, he said, “It’s alright. If I had to score it, maybe a six out of ten. Room for improvement.”

her cooking skills. To now admit that it was good would feel like eating his own words, and Lewis wasn’t about to hand her that kind of victory and let her get too smug about it, fearing shed

satisfaction.

clean, and you’re still giving it a six? Honestly. Mr. Hartman,

2/4

Wed, 26 Fi

88%

Chapter 8

I cooked,

that, she pushed herself up from the table, palms pressed lightly against its edge, and made her

table. As the heir to the Hartman family, he’d lived a life of privilege with chauffeurs, chefs, and housekeepers attending to his every need. He’d