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.

sink so tightly that her knuckles turned white, the veins on the back of her hands standing out.

breath,

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

had lost control of her emotions earlier and ran

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Chapter 138

want Lewis to see her like this. And she

a moment to pull herself together.

Go eat before your food gets cold” Doris tried to get

can’t just leave you like this” Lewis had seen the glimmer in her eyes

reminded Doris of

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

why her parents didn’t love her. She had wanted to be

I were a

feel like not good enough, no matter how hard I

to do anything, and their parents would still praise and

a fuss, their parents

was a pain that

the door and let me see you.” Lewis knocked again.

long pause, Doris slowly opened the door. She stood there, head

had traces of moisture, her eyes slightly

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

honestly, still not looking

ever need to cry, my shoulder’s

The words left Doris‘ mouth before she could stop them. Realizing what she had just said, she quickly tried to cover it

could finish saying “just joking,” Lewis pulled her into

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

felt herself calming down. “I didn’t mean to cry…

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

of his words

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.”

from his arms,

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Chapter 133

fabric of his shirt–it

her lip and lowered her head even more, her face burning. I didn’t do that

chuckled lightly,

glanced at him. His laughter didn’t sound like

first,” Lewis said, giving her time to