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.

tightly that her knuckles turned white,

deep breath, trying to

outside, but in the corner of her

control of her emotions

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want Lewis to see her like this. And she definitely didn’t want Arianna

she just needed a moment to pull herself

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

the glimmer in her eyes when she walked

had reminded Doris of herself.

up without her parents‘ love. They had given all their affection to her younger brother, just

parents didn’t love her. She had wanted to be cherished like her brother, to feel the warmth of her parents‘ love,

only I were a boy. Maybe then, I wouldn’t have been

enough, no matter how

anything, and their

he made a fuss, their parents would

was a pain that cut

let me

opened the door. She stood there, head

damp from the water. Her pale face still had traces of moisture, her eyes slightly red, making her look as fragile as a porcelain

a damp strand of hair behind her ear. “Seeing Ari like that… made you think of yourself, didn’t it?”

honestly, still not looking up.

need to cry, my shoulder’s right

The words left Doris‘ mouth before she could stop them. Realizing what she

joking,” Lewis pulled her into a hug. “A hug

against the soft cotton of his T–shirt. It was warm, smooth, and carried a faint,

that familiar scent, she felt herself calming down. “I didn’t mean to cry… I just

a home now.” Lewis ran a hand over her hair. “And from now on, you have me too. I’ll be here

against his chest, the warmth of his words settling something deep inside her.

he had the power to heal her wounds, to make the pain a little less sharp.

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

stepped back from his arms, avoiding his gaze.

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Chapter 133

on 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.”

him. His laughter didn’t sound like he believed

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