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.”

of shock. “What? Divorce? What are you

could you adopt her as your granddaughter?” Lewis explained, rubbing his

if not believing what she had heard. “Married?

out their marriage

Margaret called

over the glasses, and Margaret slid them on. Carefully, she

her

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Thiu, 27 Fe

Chapter 31

tracing over the

with joy. Her hand lingered on the paper

Lewis said with a

vigorously, a delighted laugh bubbling out of her. Then, with a playful smack to Lewis’s arm, she exclaimed. “You little rascal! You kept this from me? Watching me fret and fuss while you

girl, I forgive you for deceiving me.*

granddaughter now?” Lewis asked with a sly grin.

still clutching the marriage certificate like a prized treasure. “What’s the point of an adopted granddaughter

forget, the guests outside are waiting for your big

turned into mock annoyance as she shot him a glare. “This is all your fault!” she huffed, though a smile still tugged

explained, trying to keep his tone calm, “You were recovering when we

you. I thought today, after we brought you home, would be the perfect

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

Margaret huffed, clearly annoyed. But with a wave of her hand, she dismissed it. “Fine, I’ll let

Margaret marched back out into the yard with

a cheerful smile. “By the way, where

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

you misunderstood. What I meant to say was that this lovely young lady is going to be my

definitely said adopted

Lewis and Doris are already married. She’s my granddaughter–in–law,

I have their marriage certificate as proof.” She triumphantly held up the marriage certificate, waving it for all to see. “Look at this. Isn’t it beautiful? Aren’t they just the

crowd fell into stunned silence for a

guys say something?” Margaret said to the crowd with

and

echoed, followed by