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.

voice silky smooth. “Come

a blade. “I’ve already

darkened, though his smirk remained. “Fine. Then be ready for the surprise I’ve prepared for you,” With one last lingering look at her, he rose to his feet and strode away.

exhaled a shaky breath, her body finally relaxing from the tension coiling in her muscles. She couldn’t

as she stepped out of the hotel. Seeing Jimmy’s number on the screen sent

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Chapter 14

your ass home right now! Jimmy barked before slamming the call

enraged bull. The fury on his face only grew

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 one million dollars. If they didn’t repay the amount within a month,

He said if

“I don’t care how you do it, but you have to convince Mr. Watson to drop the lawsuit. We’re your parents. And he’s your ex–boyfriend. This

stood frozen in shock, unable to form a response. “Dad, back then, you took advantage of my relationship with Ryan, hoping to squeeze some

with it?

bought Rupert a new house and had it renovated. Now he and Claudia are enjoying their luxurious life in that house, and you’re

ever make in a

the answer. Her father never thought about her feelings. Yet,

to stay with Mr. Watson, none of this would’ve happened.

our youngest. He’s your little brother. As his sister, you’re supposed to

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

tone soft and pleading, hoping Doris would sacrifice for their family. “Doris, think about Rupert and Claudia. They’re about to

a million dollars, she might

you wouldn’t want to see your father and me end up in jail at our age. Would you really be that heartless!”

that debt by taking care of you. But I don’t owe Rupert anything, and I won’t

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

your parents. For our sake–for the sake of the whole

her face a mask of disbelief. “Where on

genuinely had no idea where this absurd expectation was coming from. ‘I don’t even know that I have so much money.

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Chapter 15

Doris, 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

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