One year, one love by Aurora Miller

Chapter 133

Lewis shot Doris a look, silently telling her to stay calm.

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Then, he gently explained to Arianna, “Ari, you’re the precious daughter your mom fought so hard to bring into this world. As long as she loves you, that’s what matters most. If you talk like that, you’ll hurt her feelings. Do you want to make her sad?”

“Of course not!” Arianna shook her head. “I want Mom to be happy every day.

“That’s the spirit.” Lewis spoke with infinite patience. “And being a girl isn’t a bad thing at all. In fact, it comes with so many perks. Girls get to wear pretty hairstyles, dress up in all kinds of lovely outfits, and have endless possibilities ahead of them.

“Ari, you have to keep going. Eat well, grow strong, and be happy. That’s what will make your mom happy. And it’ll make us happy too.”

“Okay!” Arianna’s face lit up. “Lewis, I’ll be a good girl. But… can you promise to always like me?” She looked at him with so much hope.

She had never received much love from her own father, but somehow, Lewis filled that void.

She had unconsciously projected her longing for a father’s love onto Lewis, finding solace in his presence.

“Of course.” Lewis gave Arianna a firm answer. “Lewis will always like you, Ari. He’ll love you like his own daughter.

“You’re so nice, Lewis.” Arianna’s smile finally returned.

Doris, who had been silent the whole time, suddenly pushed her chair back, got up from the table, and ran toward the bathroom.

Arianna didn’t understand. “Lewis, what’s wrong with Doris?”

Lewis set Arianna back in her seat and gently told her, “Be good and finish your food. I’ll go check on Doris.”

“Okay.” Arianna nodded.

Lewis got up and walked toward the bathroom.

Standing outside the door, he could hear the sound of running water from inside.

He waited a moment before knocking gently with his knuckles. “Doris, you okay?”

Inside, Doris cupped some cold water and splashed it on her face. When she heard the knock, she slowly turned off the tap.

“I’m fine.” She gripped the edge of the sink, trying to suppress the lump in her throat.

But Lewis picked up on the slight strain in her voice. “Can you open the door?”

She looked up at her reflection in the mirror–her face streaked with water, her eyes slightly red.

so tightly that her knuckles turned white, the veins on the back

took a deep breath,

the corner of her eye, she could see his tall figure still

of her emotions earlier and ran here

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Chapter 138

this.

needed a moment to pull herself

eat before your food gets cold” Doris tried to get Lewis to leave,

you like this” Lewis had seen the glimmer in her

Arianna had reminded Doris of

grown up without her parents‘ love. They had given all their affection to her younger brother, just because he was a

wonder why her parents didn’t love her. She had wanted to be cherished like her brother,

like Arianna, she had once wished, ‘If only I were a boy. Maybe then, I

good enough, no

to do anything, and their parents would still praise and encourage him.

when he made a fuss, their parents would laugh.

contrast was unbearable. It was a pain that

me see you.” Lewis

opened the door. She stood there, head down,

of hair near her forehead and temples were damp from the water. Her pale face still had traces of moisture, her eyes slightly red,

reached out and tucked a damp strand of hair behind her ear. “Seeing Ari like that…

nodded honestly, still

know, if you ever need to cry, my shoulder’s right here.” Lewis patted

she could stop them. Realizing what she had just said, she quickly tried to cover it up. “I was just

Lewis pulled

was warm, smooth, and carried a faint, clean scent of

felt herself calming down. “I didn’t mean to cry… I just couldn’t hold it in.”

past is behind you. You’re not that Doris anymore. You have a home now.” Lewis ran a hand over her hair. “And from now on, you have me

against his chest, the warmth of his words settling

the power to heal her wounds,

eat. After dinner, we’ll take Ari to the amusement park.” Lewis had already

Doris stepped back from his arms,

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Chapter 133

the fabric of his shirt–it was slightly wrinkled and a bit damp now.

bit her lip and lowered her head even more, her

chuckled lightly, “I know.”

secretly lifted her eyes and glanced at him. His laughter didn’t sound like he believed her at

check on Ari first,” Lewis said, giving her time to compose