One year, one love by Aurora Miller

Chapter 14

Chapter 14

After work. Doris hadn’t expected to cross paths with Ryan and several CEOs from other companies dining at the hotel.

She instinctively averted her eyes, lowered her head, and tried to slip away unnoticed. But Ryan deliberately blocked her path in full view of her colleagues, who, knowing about their past relationship, eagerly observed the unfolding scene.

“Doris, I’m thirsty. Get me a glass of water, Ryan said, lounging on one of the plush sofas in the left corner of the hotel lobby.

Doris’s expression didn’t so much as flicker. “Sorry, Mr. Watson. I’m off duty. If you need assistance, feel free to ask another staff member.”

“Is that the level of service your hotel offers?” Ryan arched a brow, his tone carrying a note of condescension. “Doris, it’s just a glass of water. Or is that worth filing a complaint over?”

Clamping down the surge of irritation rising in her chest, Doris silently fetched a glass of water and placed it on the coffee table in front of him

But as she turned to leave, Ryan stretched his leg out just enough to trip her. Doris stumbled forward, landing awkward! near his feet, the scene unfolding as though she’d purposefully thrown herself at him.

She scoffed internally. So this is his game–making me look desperate, so my colleagues think I’m still not over him? Is this his way of forcing me to get back together with him?”

Ryan leaned down, using the moment to clasp her arm in a mock gesture of concern. “Doris, it’s been days. Have you missed

me?”

She jerked her arm free and straightened herself, fixing him with a glare. “Ryan, you’re engaged. You have a fiancée. Show some respect for yourself and for her

“Respect?” Ryan let out a low chuckle, his gaze tightening on her like a predator savoring its prey. “And what if I don’t feel like respecting boundaries?”

“This is a hotel, Ryan, Doris said, her voice dropping to an icy whisper. “What are you trying to do here? Can’t we just part ways peacefully?”

She knew exactly what the scene must look like to her colleagues–like she couldn’t let go, that she was clinging to Ryan in a pathetic attempt to win him back. No amount of explanation would clear her name from their judgmental whispers.

a sm

*Part ways?” Ryan’s lips curved into a smug grin. “Doris, I never agreed to break up. You don’t get to walk away from me.”

Her fingers curled into tight fists at her sides, barely holding back the urge to punch the self–satisfied smirk off his face. If not for the growing number of curious eyes around them, she might have done just that.

“What do you want, Ryan?” she hissed through gritted teeth, on the brink of losing her composure.

replied, his voice silky

reply was as sharp as a blade. “I’ve already

gaze darkened, though his smirk remained. “Fine. Then be ready for the surprise I’ve prepared for you,” With one

exhaled a shaky breath, her body finally relaxing from the tension coiling in

wasn’t already a disaster, her phone buzzed just as she stepped out of the hotel. Seeing Jimmy’s number on the screen sent an ominous shiver

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Chapter 14

ass home right now! Jimmy barked

an enraged bull. The fury on his face

scanned the contents of the letter, her heart sinking as she read the words. It was a formal notice from Ryan’s lawyer, stating that Jimmy and Peyton owed him

just now. He said if we lose, the court will enforce

it, but you have to convince Mr.

back then, you took advantage of my relationship with Ryan, hoping to squeeze some benefits out of him. You asked

with it?

house and had it renovated. Now he and Claudia are enjoying their luxurious life in

should pay it back, it’s Rupert. A million dollars is more than I could ever make in a lifetime. How can you put this on me? Have you even thought about what this means

Doris already knew the answer. Her father never thought about her feelings. Yet, the bitterness and

hardening as he laid the blame squarely on her. “If you’d just agreed to stay with Mr. Watson, none of this would’ve happened. You’re the one who made him angry, so it’s your mess to clean up.

should we–or Rupert–have to take the fall for your mistakes? Rupert is our youngest. He’s your little

inwardly, ‘What a twisted version of reality. Their greed created this mess, and now they want me to

soft and pleading, hoping Doris would sacrifice for their family. “Doris, think about Rupert and Claudia. They’re about to get married. We can’t afford to let something like

a million dollars, she might call off the wedding. You wouldn’t want that to happen,

see your father and me end up in jail at

heart ached with frustration, but she refused to waver. “You’re my parents, and I owe you for raising me. I’ll honor that debt by taking care of you. But I

had always coddled Rupert, enabling his every whim. But Doris was done with their favoritism

Doris’s words, her tone turning wheedling. “Yes, you don’t owe Rupert. But we’re your parents. For our sake–for the sake of the whole family–Doris, just

repeated, her face a mask of disbelief. “Where on earth would I even

even know that I have so much money. What kind of ridiculous rumor is this?‘ she

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Chapter 15

his voice sharp with accusation. “Stop pretending. Dorns. You think I don’t know! After you broke up with Mr. Watson, his mother gave you one million dollars” His tone was laced with certainty, bolstered by the hints dropped earlier

though anger simmered beneath her smile. “Oh, so that’s what you think! Yes, Mrs Watson did come