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?”

down on the desk with

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Chapter 13

got going on at home, keep it at home. Do you have any

loss we’re now

and creating chaos, do you think this place

her gaze slightly, she replied sincerely, “Mr. Morris, I deeply apologize for

by something far more unsettling. If it weren’t for me stepping in,

from his chair, his beady eyes glinting with something predatory as he closed the distance between

do my job well.” she said cautiously, keeping her voice steady even as her instincts screamed for

in ways that made her skin crawl “You know what I want. If you just say yes, I’ll make sure your career here is as smooth as silk.”

felt her chest tighten with disgust. She took a quick step back, avoiding his

his tone turning sharp and mocking. “Don’t be ungrateful, Doris. Who do you

I

Doris–her beauty was hard to ignore.

single, Leon had grown bolder, summoning her to his

had even been whispers among her coworkers, little rumors that flitted through the halls like gnats. But Doris had never let

yanked the door open, and walked out, her head held high with unwavering dignity.

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

Doris, and the thought of Rupert’s antics only fueled her anger. “Your brother is an absolute menace,” she spat, pacing the room with her arms crossed. “Someone

West mentioned that the Hartman Group’s party is going to be hosted at our hotel. If you can manage to catch the attention of the heir to the Hartman

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

she added inwardly. I’m married now. I have a husband, even if our relationship is just a sham. I can’t go

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Chapter 13

skeptical eyebrow, “Oh, sure. And

her hand as if to take an oath. Her

she wasn’t buying

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

in the open, Doris felt lighter,

chest.

she’d just announced she’d married an alien. “Doris, you’re joking, right? You’ve

Weren’t you

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

a faint, serene smile. “I am Mrs. Hartman.”

wait, wait. Are you saying he is the

no. I’m not that Mrs. Hartman. The man I married is just a regular guy who happens to have the same

is like getting too close to the sun.

nice, but I can’t live in them forever, especially the wildly ridiculous ones.”