One year, one love by Aurora Miller

Chapter 30

Chapter 30

My mom’s been watching Biscuit for me, but yesterday I dropped by her place, and she said she had enough. She told me to take him, or she’d throw him out, Lewis said, sounding resigned.

Biscuit had already chewed through several of his mom’s skirts, earning himself a stern scolding.

“So you’re saying Biscuit’s going to live with us from now on?” Doris asked, already feeling a headache coming on at the thought.

“What else am I supposed to do? Let my mom kick him out? Look how adorable he is. How could you say no?” Lewis raised his eyebrows, his tone light but clearly teasing.

Doris bit her lip, fully prepared to admit she could absolutely say no. But the reality was, this was Lewis’s house. If he wanted to keep a dog here, she didn’t exactly have the right to veto the decision.

“Fine, you can keep him.” She conceded grudgingly but added, “But he’s not allowed in my room. That’s non–negotiable.”

Lewis said with a smirk, “Just make sure to always keep your door locked. You know, for your own good.”

Doris glared at him but didn’t push back. She knew she didn’t have much leverage here. She was under his roof, after all.

“Are you really that scared of dogs?” Lewis asked, amusement flickering in his deep eyes.

“I’m not scared,” Doris shot back, crossing her arms. “It’s just that your dog left a… lasting first impression,” Doris replied. What she really wanted to say was that Biscuit had scarred her for life. Besides, seeing Biscuit here without any mental preparation left her even more terrified.

“Biscuit likes you. That’s why he keeps trying to get close to you,” Lewis said, scratching the dog’s ears. “He doesn’t think of you as an outsider.”

“Ha… lucky me,” Doris muttered under her breath, forcing a dry laugh.

If only he did think of me as an outsider, Doris thought.

“Hey, Lewis said suddenly, holding out Biscuit’s leash. “Why don’t you try petting him?”

Doris wasn’t about to fall for that trap. She changed the subject and asked, “Don’t you have work today?”

“My grandma’s getting discharged from the hospital. I’m supposed to pick her up and take her home,” Lewis explained. “She wants you to come too. Says she has something important to announce. So hurry up and get ready.”

Without waiting for a response, he walked off with Biscuit trotting happily behind him.

door, and rushed to get dressed. She felt relieved that she’d bought herself a new outfit while shopping for Laura

her knees. The pearl belt cinched her waist perfectly, and the chiffon fabric added an air of elegance. Grabbing a small white shoulder bag, she stepped out of

froze for

morning sunlight, Doris looked effortlessly graceful, like a butterfly ready to fly. Her long hair fell like silk,

her, she frowned slightly and

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Chapter 30

shook off his momentary daze, and replied, “No,

by her appearance and tugged at his leash to get closer. But Lewis tugged back and gave him at

and she

said simply, holding out the leash to her. “Here, give it a try.”

on her sneakers and immediately stepped outside, pretending not to hear

Biscuit. “Looks like Doris isn’t your biggest fan. You’d better be on your best behavior.”

as she saw the two of them coming

stayed with Margaret, helping her pack up her belongings. The two had gotten along well during Doris’s previous visits, and they were sharing casy, pleasant

leave. With Doris on one side and Lewis on the other, they

in the suburbs, a good forty–minute drive from the hospital. Doris sat with Margaret in the backseat, chatting along the

your husband treating you well?” Margaret asked. It was a question she seemed to ask every single time they talked.

felt a flicker of guilt and glanced at Lewis in the driver’s

Lewis was Doris’s husband. They had decided to break the news until Margaret was out of the hospital, thinking it

narrowed her eyes at Doris, her gaze as sharp as ever. “You look thinner,

just work. Things have been a little hectic lately,” Doris replied, brushing it off. Truthfully,

and insisted, “It’s your husband, isn’t it? I knew it. He’s not treating

put up with it! You’re so gorgeous. You can have

want.”

opened her mouth to protest, but before she could say anything, her eyes met Lewis’s through the rearview mirror. She couldn’t help but wonder what was going through his mind as Margaret went on about what a terrible husband he

be.

haven’t even met him. Just don’t…”

marriage, they treat the girls like a queen. After marriage, they take their wives for granted. Lewis, if you ever treat your

no reason. He didn’t say a

meanwhile, was trying her hardest not to laugh. It was rare to see Lewis at a loss for words, and

pointed look, which only made her struggle harder