One year, one love by Aurora Miller

Chapter 59

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Leia’s fingers traced over Ryan with practiced ease. She slid from behind him to face him, her hands draping around his neck as her eyes sparkled with mischief. Leaning in, she pressed her lips boldly to his.

Leia was daring and passionate, a stark contrast to Doris, whose distant and reserved demeanor had left Ryan bitterly unsatisfied. Leia’s eager affection stroked his ego, filling a void Doris never covered.

He succumbed to Leia’s invitation, their bodies entwining in a moment of fiery abandon.

Afterward, as Ryan got up and reached for his robe, Leia clung to him once again.

“Ryan, I want more,” she purred, her fingers gliding lightly across his shoulders.

Ryan removed her hand without hesitation and stood. Leia’s hand hovered awkwardly in the air before falling limply to her side.

“You should go back to your room,” he said flatly, tying the belt of his robe.

Leia felt as though a bucket of icy water had been poured over her, freezing her in place. Forcing a smile, she tried again. “Ryan, let me stay tonight. Please.”

“Leia, I’ve already given you what you wanted,” Ryan said, his tone sharp and dismissive. “Don’t push your luck.”

Her lips trembled as she fought back her humiliation. “Ryan, we’ve been living together for a month now.”

Indeed, she had been under his roof for a month, but Ryan had never allowed her to share his bed unless he was in the mood.

For Leia, fleeting moments of pleasure weren’t enough. She wanted to be his partner, his love in every sense.

But the reality stung. Leia wasn’t pregnant. The announcement had been a fabrication by Ryan’s parents, intended solely to provoke Doris.

Leia knew her only hope of securing her position was to conceive quickly. Yet Ryan always made her take contraceptives, insisting he wasn’t ready for a child.

“This engagement is just a convenience,” Ryan said coldly, his gaze piercing. “We’re not really a couple. Letting you stay here is the biggest compromise I’ve made. If you need a man, go find one elsewhere.”

Leia’s face drained of color, his words cutting her like a blade. “Ryan, I agreed to this engagement because I love you. And now you’re telling me to go to someone else?”

“Love me?” Ryan sneered. “Leia, what about Jake? Where does he fit into your little story?”

got close to Jake to make you jealous, to get your attention! I’ve only ever wanted to be your girlfriend, your wife.” Leia pleaded, her voice thick with desperation.

but strung him along anyway. And now

is anything close to real love?

like a thunderclap, his gaze cold and unyielding. “I’ll only marry the woman

cracked. “And you think Doris is that woman?” she asked, her

surface.

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Chapter 59

mention of Doris brought a dark shadow to Ryan’s face,

not for you to decide,” he said icily.

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eyes glistening with unshed tears. “I’ll cherish you, Ryan. I’ll never leave you, no matter

family, she refused to believe she could lose

her wrist in a vice–like grip. “Don’t think for a second that just because Doris and I are apart, you can worm your way

pain in

seethed with hatred. If she could, she would destroy

**

abruptly, sneezing several times in a row. When she opened her eyes, the first thing she saw was Biscuit sitting

only for Lewis to wake her up and send her back to her room.

Laura stayed over, Lewis had gone even further. He carried her directly into his bedroom. That night marked their first time sharing a bed.

now, Doris could still recall the intensity of his scent, something

a business trip. Doris spent the day cooking, walking the dog, and watching TV by herself. The house felt

solitude felt unbearable. Over the past month, they had been living together, going to work, coming home, eating, and walking side by side.

with laughter and warmth, and Doris had grown accustomed to

sat in front of her, his head slightly lowered, gazing at her with

head. “Are you

seemed to understand, barking twice in

deep down, she had

dangerous notion. “This kind

her mind, she got up and went back

of her phone ringing urgently. She fumbled to pick it up and saw that it was her

Peyton

Doris answered groggily,