One year, one love by Aurora Miller

Chapter 20

Jimmy’s face was a storm of rage as he shouted at Doris, his voice dripping with sarraum and indignation, Doris, now that you’ve found someone to hack you up, you think you can do whatever your want, but

How could you let him talk to me like that, you linde hat! Don’t forget, Fin your father. You’re such a disappointment?

Doris opened her mouth, ready to retort, but before she could utter a word, Lewis uepped forward, his patirtire completely worn thin. His voice was sharp, and every syllable carried the weight of judgment “Parents who can’t even stand by their own kid don’t deserve their respect.

“Worse, you team up with outsiders to humiliate her? You’re not fit to call yourself her father. From now on, Fl be the one standing by Doris. And if any of you dare to hurt her again, I won’t hesitate to call the police”

With that, Lewis released Jimmy’s wrist.

Jimmy finally regained control of his arm, but the throbbing pain lingered on his wrist as if etched into his skin. His thoughts raced in panic as he pondered,

What kind of man is this? Ile’s terrifying: Cold sweat beaded on his forehead and trickled down his back.

At that moment, Lewis stood tall, commanding, his every word and action radiating the strength of a man who would go to war for his wife. The crowd couldn’t help but stare at him in awe, admiration flickering in their eyes.

Ryan, watching how Lewis captivated everyone, felt a surge of bitterness gnawing at his pride. Furious, he scoffed and spoke coldly.

“Mr. Reed, since that’s how it is, I’m afraid I’ll have to take hack the gifts I’ve given your family. It’s not like we’re related or anything.”

At that, Jeremiah and the others swiftly stepped forward, collecting the extravagant diamond watches that had been gifted to the Robinson family as a gesture of goodwill.

The sight of their precious prizes being snatched back was like a slap to the Robinson family’s face. None of them were happy about the outcome.

Andre, still dazed by the unfolding drama, turned to Jimmy, demanding answers. Jimmy, what… what’s going on here?”

Maisie’s expression twisted in displeasure, and she muttered in frustration, “Rupert, Claudia, how could this happen? Our diamond watches are gone just like that.”

Ryan’s actions were as deliberate as they were cruel. The gifts he’d initially given to boost Jimmy’s ego were now being weaponized to rub salt into their wounds, each reclaimed watch a jab to Jimmy’s already fragile dignity. Ryan clearly did this only out of spite.

“Ryan, Jimmy called out desperately, trying to salvage the situation.

“Ryan,” Rupert echoed, his voice thick with anxiety.

But their pleas fell on deaf ears. Ryan’s decision was final, and he had no intention of turning back.

Just as Ryan was about to leave, Lewis’s icy voice cut through the air. “Mr. Watson, wait.”

Ryan halted mid–step, his back still to the room. He didn’t bother to look back, but his silence was invitation enough for Lewis to speak.

Lewis’s tour was cold and biting, each word deliberate. “Mr. Watson, Doris is my wife now. It’s my responsibility to take care of her.

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The mom fell into stunned stence

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“Mr. Watson, Tonce thought you genuinely cared deed, he come diery with the intent on the stepped forward “But now I see you for what you really are there we trondit marry yo

voice

Ryan’s polished smile twisted into a crueline His work was faced with every he finally dragged genence they Marry me?”

He let out a derisive Taugh. Do you think 1, the CFO of Nation Carey, world serially see for severne Wee her deserve a woman who’s a perfect match for my state–someone from the rat femy tent passing amusement for me

I

Ryan’s gaze swept over Doris, disdain dripping from his every word “tor, the fare that aver med intrend as your wa honor you didn’t deserve.

“And yet, you dared to dream of marrying me? Do you really think you’re worthy tenise contiene semen Yug pretending you’re something special?

Doris remained stoic, her face devoid of emotion, as if his cruel words couldve teach her Inside, there was neither anger nor sadness–just a weary familiarity. She had seen through Ryan’s true tueture long ago

His venomous remarks only reaffirmed what she already knew, leaving her entirely unsurprised.

Ryan strolled across the plush carpet, his footsteps slow and deliberate, before stopping in front of Lewis. His liga curled into a mocking smirk. “Mr. Hartman, take good care of the trash I left behind.

“Soon enough, you’ll learn what it means to be outclassed. Going up against me? You’ll love so badly you won’t even know what hit you.”

Lewis met Ryan’s arrogance with unflinching resolve, his chiseled features as steady as a granite cliff. “Alright,” he said, his voice calm but firm. “I’ll be waiting”

Standing beside him, Doris felt a wave of tension tighten her chest. Her fingers instinctively gripped Lewis’s arm. Ryan’s power and influence could crush someone like Lewis without breaking a sweat, she thought, worry grawing at her.

Ryan turned on his heel, walking toward the private room’s door. As he reached it, he tossed one last comment over his shoulder. “Mr. Reed, don’t forget the money you owe me.”

Jimmy flinched at the mention of the one million dollars, his temples pounding with stress

His frustration boiled over, and his glare turned toward Doris, his voice rising in anger. “Doris, are you happy now? You’ve ruined this party. You’ve offended Mr. Watson, and thanks to you, our family is doomed. Get out of my sight.”

Doris didn’t hesitate. This was not a place she wanted to linger for even another second. Not wanting to drag Lewis into the mess any longer, she grabbed Lewis’s hand and walked out of the room, her back straight, her steps steady, but her heart heavy with emotion.

As they emerged from the hotel into the crisp air, Doris exhaled deeply, over and over, trying to rein in the overwhelming

urge to cry.

verbal abuse, his violent outbursts. She had thought she’d grown numb to it,

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26 Feb FT AR

Chapter 20

like the countless other times, she would have borne it alone, yet today, Lewis had stood up for her. shielding her when no

felt monumental in her eyes, a rare gift in a world that often seemed

his gaze warm yet steady as he noticed the tears welling in her eyes, stubbornly refusing

the fragile dam Doris had tried so hard to keep intact.

voice barely above a whisper. She let her forehead rest gently on

before pulling back. The entire gesture lasted only seconds, but it felt like an

today,” she said sincerely. “I know just saying it doesn’t

directly. Instead, he simply said, “Follow

highly–rated seafood restaurant he had discovered online–a place known for its hearty

for seafood. She’d once said. “There’s nothing a delicious seafood feast

he brought her here, hoping that the vibrant flavors and hearty dishes might soothe

surprise flickering in her eyes. “How do

He slid the menu toward her with a self–assured

took the menu, laughing softly. “Very impressive.” She didn’t even glance at it before gesturing lazily

indifferent tone. “Can you

Doris quipped, feigning a pitiful look as if her heartbreak justified

strength in her he couldn’t ignore–a quiet resilience that contrasted with the delicate sweep of her lashes and the wistful curve

wasn’t just in her features but in the way her emotions played across her face–the subtle furrow of her brows as she scanned the menu, the faint catch of her teeth on her lower lip when she hesitated. She was captivating without

Doris asked, snapping him out of his thoughts.

“Anything works for

long before the dishes began arriving, one by one, filling the table

she saw the spread, and without hesitation, she grabbed the shrimp taco

today we’re gonna eat our sorrows away. Have whatever you want–it’s on me,” Lewis said generously, leaning back

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Chapter 20

a storm of rage as he shouted at Doris, his voice dripping with sarraum and indignation, Doris, now

you linde hat! Don’t forget, Fin

a word, Lewis uepped forward, his patirtire completely worn thin. His voice was sharp, and every syllable carried the weight of judgment “Parents who can’t even

You’re not fit to call yourself her father. From now on, Fl be the one standing

that, Lewis released Jimmy’s wrist.

of his arm, but the throbbing pain lingered on his wrist as if etched into his skin. His thoughts raced in panic as he

kind of man is this? Ile’s terrifying: Cold sweat

man who would go to war for his wife. The crowd couldn’t help but stare at him in awe, admiration flickering in

of bitterness gnawing at his pride. Furious, he

Reed, since that’s how it is, I’m afraid I’ll have to take hack the

swiftly stepped forward, collecting the extravagant diamond watches

being snatched back was like a slap to the Robinson

Jimmy, demanding answers. Jimmy, what…

and she muttered in frustration, “Rupert, Claudia, how could this

were now being weaponized to rub salt into their wounds, each reclaimed watch a jab to Jimmy’s already

called out desperately, trying to salvage the situation.

voice thick with anxiety.

their pleas fell on deaf ears. Ryan’s decision was final, and he had

leave, Lewis’s icy voice cut through the

back still to the room. He didn’t bother to look back,

and biting, each word deliberate. “Mr. Watson, Doris is my wife now. It’s my responsibility

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a

into stunned stence

had red need for

the red and wimpers

the onlookers couldn’t hide their disdained med

thought you genuinely cared deed, he come diery with the intent on the stepped forward “But now I see you for

voice

a crueline His work was faced with every he finally

1, the CFO of Nation Carey, world serially see for severne Wee her deserve a woman who’s a perfect match for

I

his every word “tor, the fare that aver med intrend as your

to dream of marrying me? Do you really think you’re worthy tenise contiene semen Yug pretending you’re

couldve teach her Inside, there was neither anger nor sadness–just a weary familiarity. She had

what she already

stopping in front of Lewis. His liga curled

you’ll learn what it means to be outclassed. Going up against me? You’ll love so badly you won’t even

steady as a granite

him, Doris felt a wave of tension tighten her chest. Her fingers instinctively gripped Lewis’s arm. Ryan’s power and influence could crush

toward the private room’s door. As he reached it, he tossed one last comment over

mention of the one million dollars,

boiled over, and his glare turned toward Doris, his voice rising in anger. “Doris, are you happy now? You’ve ruined this party. You’ve offended Mr. Watson, and

drag Lewis into the mess any longer,

exhaled deeply, over and over, trying to

urge to cry.

verbal abuse, his violent outbursts. She had thought she’d grown numb to it, but every fresh insult still stung and brought her

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