One year, one love by Aurora Miller

Chapter 52

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The commotion grew louder and louder, leaving Sophia and Matteo too embarrassed to stay any longer. They blamed everything on Laura.

Matteo shot Laura a deep look. “Laura, we’ll talk about this at home.”

“I need some time alone,” Laura croaked with difficulty.

Seeing her unwillingness to comply, Matteo supported his mother. “Mom, I’ll take you home.”

“This is it? You’re just letting it go?” Sophia was clearly dissatisfied with how things turned out.

“Let’s go home first, Mom.” Matteo tugged her along as they left.

Doris grasped Laura’s hand. “Laura, don’t be afraid. No matter what happens, I’m on your side.”

Laura bit her lip and nodded repeatedly. Lewis escorted the two sisters out of the café. Laura remained silent the entire way, her mood visibly low.

When they reached Greenlake Hill, Doris brought Laura her room to rest. “Laura, take a nap if you’re tired. I’ll call you when dinner’s ready.”

Laura didn’t reply, closing her eyes as though she had already fallen asleep..

Doris quietly got up and opened the door, only to see Lewis standing there with two cups of water. “I’ll make dinner. You should stay and keep your sister company,” he said.

“Thanks for this,” Doris said, feeling a sense of reassurance that came entirely from Lewis.

“It’s nothing. Hardly a big deal.” Lewis shook his head. “Laura’s feeling down. Talk with her and help her feel better.”

“I will.” Doris

He returned to the

the

cups. “I’ll head back in now.”

the room and placed the water on the nightstand. “Laura, have some water”

saying, “I know you’re hurting right now, but a man like that isn’t worth

not the man who used to have eyes only for you. Laura, marriage is supposed

Do you want to keep trying with him, or are you considering…

eyelashes fluttered as she slowly opened her eyes, staring at the blank ceiling above

brows furrowed

herself up on the bed after a long pause. “Doris, there’s something I need to tell

it? I’m listening.” Doris’s expression turned

thousand dollars to me to pay back Mrs. Yates,” Laur

me to quit my job, doesn’t

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Chapter 52

that, Laura said before recounting the events of the day in deal. He sees intended for you to know about any of this. Everything he

for you without you knowing while being Matteo take wordeserved credit for it. That’s why I told you the

your job at the hotel, and concentrate on your life together. Don’t let things turn out like they did with me and Matteo.”

What are you

She didn’t have the courage to do it.

to listen to her

allow her back home. Even if she did return, he’d probably kick her out–or worse, drag her to the Webb

divorce, at least she would still have a place

me, right?” Laura gave a

empathetically. “I understand–you love him,

incredibly hard it is to move on from someone you love. I just hope that whatever choice

I didn’t like Matteo at first. But he

to pick me up for work every morning, always bringing my favorite pancakes

me the most was when I was on a business trip and came down with a high fever. He dropped everything and rushed over from Hampstone, took me to the hospital in the middle of the night,

me, frantically searching for a doctor. At that moment, I silently told myself that I had

found out he had given up a major business deal to be there for me, earning a harsh

also learned that to keep Dad from scolding me, he secretly gave him money and bought him good wine and cigarettes. Because of him, Dad’s attitude toward me improved so much. He even said I married the right

thought he would protect me like that for a

recounted the once beautiful love story, a smile of happiness surfaced

more painful they felt when compared to

him, so of course I wanted to fulfill his wishes and give him

went to doctors, got injections, took medication–those bitter black herbal concoctions made me