One year, one love by Aurora Miller

Chapter 19

Chapter 19

Lewis's calm, crisp voice suddenly echoed in Doris’s cars, sharp and undeniable.

Everyone in the room turned toward the doorway, their expressions shifting from disdain to astonishment. There

stood Lewis, tall and commanding, exuding an air of aristocratic elegance that was impossible to ignore.

His striking features seemed carved from marble, each detail flawless under the glow of the room’s crystal

chandeliers.

Doris blinked, almost convinced her mind was playing tricks on her. But it was really him. The shock of his

unexpected arrival sent a ripple of joy coursing through her veins, warming her from the inside out.

Lewis's gaze landed on her, steady and unreadable. Before she could stop herself, she dashed toward him, her

excitement spilling over like sunlight breaking through a storm. She smiled, her voice brimming with delight.

“You're here.”

“Yeah” He gave a curt nod, his acknowledgment both subtle and reassuring.

Doris leaned closer, lowering her voice as she asked with a tentative smile, “Can | borrow your arm for a bit?”

Lewis didn’t hesitate. With a fluid motion, he bent his arm slightly, offering it to her. Doris slid her hand into

place, the gesture natural and seamless.

She needed to sell the act. In front of her parents and Ryan, there could be no cracks in the illusion.

Doris clung to Lewis's arm as they stepped into the private room, her head held high as if their closeness were

the most natural thing in the world.

The moment they entered, the atmosphere shifted. Lewis didn’t merely walk into the room-he claimed it. His

presence demanded attention, his sharp gaze and effortless poise drawing every eye to him.

If Ryan was charming, Lewis was breathtaking.

Lewis wore his usual crisp white shirt, tailored to perfection, accentuating the disciplined lines of his lean frame.

His black slacks emphasized the athletic, powerful legs beneath.

Under the soft glow of the crystal chandeliers, his chiseled features appeared even more striking, the light

carving shadows across his flawless bone structure. His deep-set eyes, enigmatic and piercing, carried a quiet

intensity that seemed to strip

away pretense.

Even Ryan, with his privileged upbringing and polished demeanor, couldn't compare. The crack in Ryan's

confident facade was almost audible; his expression faltered, disbelief etched onto his face.

Ryan'’s thoughts raced as he took in the man before him. He pondered, ‘Where on earth did Doris find someone

like him? Even if | don’t know who he is, | feel intimidated by him.

The others were equally stunned, and they were all convinced that a man this perfect couldn't possibly be a con

artist

“Dad, Mom, this is my husband, Lewis Hartman.” Doris’s voice broke the spell, snapping everyone back to reality.

Lewis inclined his head politely. “Nice to meet you all, everyone.”

Jimmy, however, remained skeptical, his eyes narrowing as he sized up the man who now claimed to be Doris’s

husband. He hadn't expected Doris to marry someone with an appearance and aura even more impressive than

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Ryan's.

“Doris says you two are married?” he asked, his tone heavy with doubt.

“Yes,” Lewis replied, his voice steady and unflinching. Reaching into the pocket of his slacks, he produced a

folded document. -their marriage license.

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Chapter 19

Doris took it from him with practiced ease, unfolding it before her parents and Ryan She held it up, her heart

pounding bor her expression serene. This is undeniable proof, she thought, her lips curving into a subtle,

triumphant smile “They eart

argue with this.

Jimmy's face flushed with anger, his voice rising. “I don’t care what this says, | don’t approve of this marriage,

and | will never accept you as my son-in-law. Ryan is the only one | recognize”

Doris met her father’s fury with an unyielding gaze. “Your approval doesn’t matter,” she said coolly. The low

recognizes us 24 husband and wife-that’s all that counts.”

Ryan, meanwhile, was staring at the document, his jaw tightening as he registered the date. His cold eyes

narrowed, his face darkening as though a storm had passed over him.

His voice was sharp and accusing as he turned to Doris “You broke up with me, and the very next day, you

married him Were you already involved with him while we were still together?”

There was a bite in his words, a self-righteous indignation that suggested betrayal. His question hung in the air

like a blade, poised to strike. It was as if he’d declared her guilty of the ultimate offense, his tone laced with the

sting of wounded pride.

Doris let out a cold laugh. “Ryan, not everyone is as morally bankrupt as you. My marriage happened after our

breakup- whether it was a day, an hour, or even a minute later.

The fact remains that we were done. You've always been so arrogant, so full of yourself.

“You thought I'd never find someone better than you after we split. You expectedto stay in the sspot,

pitifully waiting for your return, begging for your mercy. In your mind, even after the breakup, | was still

supposed to be your possession.

She didn’t pause, her words coming sharper with each sentence. “But now that I’ve married someone taller,

better-looking. and so far out of your league, you can’t stand it, can you? You've lost control of the narrative, and

it’s eating you alive and making you mad

“Your so-called ‘love’ is nothing but selfish possessiveness. That's not real love. Why would | waste my life pining

after you. degrading myself for someone like you? 111 marry whoever | want, whenever | want. My relationships,

my marriage-they’re my choice.”

Every word hit Ryan like a hammer, each syllable a direct strike to his fragile ego.

Ryan's eyes darted up to Lewis who looked much taller than him, his presence so effortlessly commanding it was

almost infuriating.

Ryan spat, “She dumpedone day and married you the next. Don’t tellyou're clueless about the fact

she’s using you to get back at me.”

“I'm perfectly aware,” Lewis replied, his calm, melodic tone carrying a faint note of amusement. “It’s just

survival of the fittest.”

His words were so light yet so devastating that it left Ryan momentarily stunned. Lewis didn’t even need to try to

crush him.

Ryan’s anger bubbled beneath the surface as he stepped closer to Lewis, the mocking edge in his voice

sharpening, trying once more to sow discord. “You think she truly loves you? She's only using you as a tool.

Don’t get too cocky”

Before Lewis could respond, Doris moved in front of him, her expression fierce as she countered, “Ryan, let me

make one thing very clear. My husband is this handsome, and | fell for him at first sight. | practically chased after

him, refusing to marry anyone else.”

Her father, Jimmy, couldn't take it anymore. “Have you no shame? Shut your mouth,” he spat, his face red with

anger.

Unbothered. Lewis gently pulled Doris back to his side, his calm demeanor unwavering as he looked at Ryan.

“Mr. Watson, no need to be so upset. | know she dumped you, but it’s no reason to be so jealous.”

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Chapter 19

Just like that, Lewis had reduced Ryan to rubble with a few words, leaving him defenseless and humiliated.

Doris suddenly found herself looking up at Lewis with admiration. For the first time, she appreciated his sharp

tongue as a genuine asset.

Her gaze, filled with admiration and something deeper, was a look Ryan had never seen directed at him.

“You're so jealous your eyes are practically glowing green, Doris said, her tone dripping with mockery as she

turned her attention back to Ryan. “So, are you planning to stick around and embarrass yourself further, or will

you finally leave?”

With Lewis, her actual husband, standing firm beside her, Ryan had no choice but to acknowledge defeat.

Staying would only deepen his humiliation.

Ryan felt utterly crushed and humiliated by Lewis and Doris. His expression twisted with fury and shame, his

voice trembling as he spat, “Doris, you're something else.”

“Aw, thank you for the compliment.” Doris replied with a bright smile, her sarcasm unmistakable.

Ryan scoffed, his frustration boiling over. With one last glare, he stormed out of the room, his heavy footsteps

echoing as the door slammed shut behind him.

“Doris, shut your mouth! I'll deal with you later,” Jimmy roared at Doris, his frustration boiling over as he rushed

to chase after Ryan. “Ryan, don’t leave! Wait a moment

Ryan halted briefly, turning his head just enough to glance back, his tone icy. “Mr. Reed, I'm a busy man.”

“No matter how busy you are, you still need to eat before you go,” Jimmy said, his voice softening into an almost

pleading tone. “You're a very important guest to me-Rupert’s boss, no less.

“It’s an honor for my family to have you here. No one has the right to drive you out. I'll make Doris apologize to

you right

away.”

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Hearing this, Ryan's eyebrows arched slightly in amusement, his interest piqued. What he wanted was exactly

this-to see Doris bow her head in humiliation, to witness how Lewis would handle the situation in front of

everyone.

Determined to appease Ryan, Jimmy marched over to Doris and barked, “Doris, apologize to Ryan right

now.”

Her father’s words made Doris’s heart ache, but her stance remained firm, her voice resolute. “I didn’t do

anything wrong. | will not apologize.”

Her defiance was like a slap in the face to Jimmy, challenging his authority as a father and leaving him

humiliated in front of the crowd, especially in front of Ryan.

When words failed him, Jimmy’s anger turned physical. He raised his hand, ready to strike Doris, but Lewis

intercepted him swiftly, gripping his wrist in midair.

Lewis's eyes narrowed, and he thought coldly, Violence really must run in this family. Rupert raises his hand to

his sister. and now their father is doing the sto his daughter.

“My wife isn’t someone you can just lay a finger on, Lewis said, his voice low and menacing

“This is my daughter. How | discipline her is none of your business. Let go of me.” Jimmy struggled to free his

arm, but Lewis's grip was unyielding

“Doris married me. She’s my wife now, my responsibility. As long as I’m here, no one-not even you, her father-

will lay a finger on her

Every word Lewis uttered was sharp and commanding, his protectiveness hitting Doris straight in the heart. Her

eyes welled up with tears, and for the first tin what felt like forever, she experienced the warmth of being

genuinely cherished and

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Chapter it

valued

Lewis's steely gaze locked onto Jimmy's, unflinching and razor-sharp. His chilling demeanor de Jury at the sheer

made falione intensity of Lewis's presence unnerving him.

a

And then there was Lewis's height-towering over Jimmy, casting shadow that made the older men and unterly

docuted The sheer force of Lewis's aura created an oppressive atmosphere that Jimmy coldest shake t

“You know I'm Doris’s father, and yet you dare treatlike this?” Jimmy tried to pull rank, his voice carrying a

hor of desperation.

arice

Lewis's lips curved into a cold, mocking unile, his expression sharp as ice. Since you refuse to acknowledge my

marriage to Doris, why should | acknowledge any relationship between us?

Jimmy’s own words cback to haunt him like a stone he had thrown, only to have it rebound and hit him

guarely in the

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