One year, one love by Aurora Miller

Chapter 13

Just happened to be passing by Lewis said casually, tossing out an excuse without much thought.

Is truth, he’d stepped in only when he saw Rupert raising his hand against Doris

Doris nodded in quiet understanding, her expression calm.

Does your brother always bully you like that? Lewis asked, his tone tinged with a hint of irritation. Rupert struck him as the kind of guy who was just begging for a beating. In the Hartman family, no one would dare behave like that.

Doris, used to such situations, responded with a wry smile. “He’s not the only one dishing it out. I’ve made sure he’s suffered his fair share too.”

Rupert’s earlier comment wasn’t entirely wrong–whenever he got the worst of their fights, their father would inevitably step in to avenge him. But that was a truth Doris dared not share with Lewis.

“If you’ve been making him pay for it, I’m guessing there’s no chance of you going back to that house.” Lewis speculated, his voice steady.

Doris let out a soft, humorless laugh: She’d long since given up on her family, and the idea of any semblance of affection within it. “It’s not a house worth going back to anyway.”

Lewis raised a brow, intrigued. “You sure about that?”

Her lashes fluttered slightly as she looked up at him, her eyes bright with a spark of mischief. “Didn’t you just give me a new home?”

That caught him off guard for a moment, the faintest flicker of surprise passing through his features.

“Mr. Hartman,” Doris said softly, “I’m looking forward to our one–year marriage.” She was genuinely grateful for his intervention–it felt strange but comforting to be protected, even if just this once.

Lewis gave her a small nod, his voice firm. “Doris, as long as you behave yourself, I won’t let anyone lay a finger on you

He didn’t dwell on Doris’s character or intentions–those were now secondary in his mind. She was his wife now, and protecting her wasn’t just his responsibility; it was a matter of principle.

Letting someone else harm her while he stood idly by was something he would never allow.

“I always behave,” Doris replied lightly, unsure why he’d even said such a thing. But she didn’t think too much about it. “And I’m not a pushover. Don’t worry about that.”

Seeing she was unharmed, Lewis left without another word. Doris, in turn, headed back to the hotel to resume work.

As soon as she stepped into the lobby, a coworker at the front desk called out, “Doris, Mr. Morris is looking for you.”

Leon Morris, the manager of the Food and Beverage Department, was infamous for his sleazy reputation. Years of skimming profits had padded not only his wallet but also his waistline, leaving him with a belly so large it seemed to swallow

his neck.

“Got it,” Doris replied, keeping her tone neutral, and made her way to Leon’s office.

Knocking lightly, she entered the room and approached his desk. “Mr. Morris, you wanted to see me?”

desk with a loud thud. “Doris, are you

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Wed, 26 Feb FRE

Chapter 13

was sharp and accusing. “Whatever drama you’ve got going on at home, keep it at home. Do you have any idea how

financial loss we’re now dealing with because

in here and creating chaos, do you think

heart sank. Lowering her gaze slightly, she replied sincerely, “Mr. Morris, I deeply

it weren’t for me stepping in, smoothing things over with Mr. West, you’d have been out

eyes glinting with something predatory as he closed the distance between them. “So tell me, Doris–how do you plan on

stomach churning with unease. “Mr. Morris, I’ll make sure to work hard and do my job well.” she said cautiously, keeping her voice steady even as her instincts screamed

figure shamelessly, lingering in ways that made her skin crawl “You know what I want. If you just say yes, I’ll make sure your

took a quick step back, avoiding his touch. “Mr. Morris,” she said firmly, “if there’s nothing else, I’ll get back

“Don’t be ungrateful, Doris. Who do you think you can rely on now? Mr. Watson’s not around to back you up

think you can survive here without someone like me pulling strings? I could fire you in a heartbeat–let’s see how long you last then.”

eye for Doris–her beauty was hard to ignore. But back when she was Ryan’s

to his office under

halls like gnats. But Doris had never let them bother her. “Let them think what they want,’ she thought. I know

open, and walked out, her head held

called out by name and docked three months‘ bonuses. This is a blatant abuse

is an absolute menace,”

hotel. If you can manage to catch the attention of the heir to the

this time, “I was drunk when I said that stuff before. I don’t have any

have a husband, even if our relationship

26 Feb

Chapter 13

“Oh, sure. And they say

raising her hand as if to take an oath. Her expression was so serious it

her a look that said she wasn’t buying

in close, lowering her voice so only Lola could hear. “Okay, fine. I have a confession. I’m married. It was a spur–of–the–moment thing. I wasn’t trying to hide

out in the open, Doris felt lighter, like a weight had

chest.

the spot, staring at Doris as if she’d just announced she’d married an alien. “Doris, you’re joking, right? You’ve got

Weren’t you

Hartman family heir? What happened to becoming Mrs. Hartman and throwing that in Ryan’s smug

lips curved into a faint, serene smile. “I am

“Wait, wait, wait. Are you saying he

to have the same last name. As for

my league. Obsessing over him is like getting too

can’t live in them