One year, one love by Aurora Miller

Chapter 31

Chapter 31

Margaret took Doris’s hand, her eyes glistening with emotion. “My life was saved by this wonderful young woman, Doris, I can’t thank her enough for what she’s done for me. To show my gratitude, I want to formally adopt her as my granddaughter. I hope all of you can witness this.”

The crowd broke into murmurs of approval, with someone chiming in. ‘Margaret, congratulations on gaining such a lovely granddaughter?”

Lewis was sipping water, and he choked violently, nearly spitting it out.

Doris glanced at him, raising her eyebrows as if to say, “Well, this is what you get!”

Lewis, caught completely off guard by Margaret’s declaration, quickly interrupted, “Grandma-”

“Don’t you interrupt me! I’m not finished,” Margaret snapped, glaring at him.

Turning back to Doris with a warm smile, Margaret continued, “Doris, I understand you’re already married, so I won’t push you. But I’d still like to adopt you as my granddaughter. Would that be alright?”

Doris froze and was lost in her thoughts. Adopted granddaughter? So…. does that make me and Lewis siblings now?

“Er…” Doris stammered with her brow furrowed. She cast a pleading look toward Lewis and said, “Why don’t you explain?”

Margaret noticed Doris’s glance toward Lewis and frowned. “Why are you looking at him? If you don’t think it’s a good idea, just tell me.”

“Grandma, let me explain.” Lewis began, trying to steer the conversation in a more reasonable direction.

“I don’t want to hear it,” Margaret cut him off with a wave of her hand. “No matter what you say, I’ve made up my mind. Doris will be my granddaughter.”

“Grandma, let’s talk about this inside,” Lewis said, shooting Doris a look, silently pleading for her help.

Margaret reluctantly allowed herself to be ushered inside, though her reluctance was written all over her face. Once they were behind closed doors, Lewis didn’t waste any time and said, “Grandma, you can’t adopt Doris as your granddaughter-”

Before Lewis could finish, Margaret immediately raised her hand and said with a sharp expression, “What are you saying? Are you looking for a slap? You don’t have the good fortune to marry a girl like Doris, and now you won’t even let me make her my granddaughter?”

“Margaret, please don’t be upset,” Doris interjected, gently patting her on the back. “Just hear him out, alright?”

Lewis sighed with helplessness etching on his face. “If you insist on adopting Doris, then she and I will have to get divorced first.”

her expression shifting to one of shock. “What? Divorce? What are

Doris is already your granddaughter–in–law. We’re married. How could you

if not believing what she had heard. “Married? You two? Are you serious? You’re not

word, Lewis reached into his pocket, pulled out their marriage certificate,

my reading glasses,” Margaret called out, her voice tinged with urgency.

them on. Carefully, she picked up the certificate and studied it,

her

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Thiu, 27 Fe

Chapter 31

over the names on it.

lit up with joy. Her hand lingered on the paper as tears pooled in her eyes, her smile

do you believe me now? Lewis said with a small,

Lewis’s arm, she exclaimed. “You little rascal! You kept this from me? Watching me fret and fuss while you were secretly married

married such a wonderful girl,

now?” Lewis asked with a sly

treasure. “What’s the point of an adopted

smug. “Don’t forget, the

turned into mock annoyance as she shot him a glare. “This is all

tone calm, “You were recovering when we got married, and the doctor specifically said to avoid stimulating

thought

your adopted granddaughter without even consulting me. And every time I tried to explain,

But with a wave of her hand, she dismissed it. “Fine, I’ll let it slide. I’ll fix this myself.”

the yard with Doris and

all waiting,” Margaret announced with a cheerful smile. “By

saying you wanted to adopt this young lady as your granddaughter,” someone helpfully reminded

misunderstood. What I meant to say

said

raised her chin indignantly and retorted, “Don’t think I’m senile. Lewis and Doris are already married. She’s my granddaughter–in–law, not my granddaughter.

all just heard it wrong. Here, I have their marriage certificate as proof.” She triumphantly held up the marriage

crowd fell into stunned silence

Margaret said to the crowd with a smug

silence and said, “Congratulations,

followed by a