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?”

you jealous, to get your attention! I’ve only ever wanted to be your girlfriend, your wife.” Leia

feelings but strung him along anyway. And now you’re clinging

is anything close to real

unyielding. “I’ll only marry the woman I

you think Doris is that woman?” she

surface.

1/3

Mon, 3

Chapter 59

shadow to Ryan’s face, his contempt for Leia deepening.

to decide,” he

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I love you. You’re such an incredible man, and yet she didn’t appreciate you,” Leia said softly, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. “I’ll cherish you, Ryan. I’ll never leave

of the Martin family, she refused to believe she could

Doris and I are apart, you can worm your way into my life. I’ll bring her back. Now get out of

flinched, the pain in

but her heart seethed with hatred. If she could, she would destroy Doris piece by

**

thing she saw was Biscuit sitting faithfully by her side. She realized she had fallen asleep on the couch in the living

many times she dozed off while watching TV, only for Lewis to wake her up and send her

over, Lewis had gone even further. He carried her directly into his bedroom. That

of his scent, something that seemed to pierce straight through

the dog, and watching TV by herself. The house felt

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

filled with laughter and warmth, and Doris had grown accustomed to Lewis‘ presence in her life. Letting

slightly lowered,

head. “Are you missing him

barking twice

deep down, she had

if to dismiss the dangerous notion. “This kind of thinking is far too risky. It needs to

got up and went back to her bedroom

next morning, Doris was startled awake by the sound of her phone ringing urgently.

the morning. For Peyton to call this

up. Doris answered groggily, “Mom, what’s