One year, one love by Aurora Miller

Chapter 53

Doris instinctively grabbed his wrist and turned it over. The three-inch-long wound beceven more evident,

with a few tiny scratches around it.

“How did you get hurt here?” she asked.

Lewis finally remembered-it happened when he blocked Sophia's bag, and the metal accessory on it scraped

him.

“It doesn’t hurt at all, he replied. It was just a surface wound, though it looked bad with the blood seeping out;

the cut wasn't deep.

“Matteo’s mom did this, right?” Doris hit the nail on the head. “Why didn’t you tell me? | could've hit her back for

you!”

“And what good would that do?” Lewis asked, looking a bit amused.

“You're my husband. | have to protect you! | won't let anyone bully you!” Doris said with a serious expression.

Lewis gave a faint smile, thinking, ‘Her? Protect me? Forget it. He then said, “Eat your food.”

“Wait here,” Doris said as she put down her fork and got up to head for the living room.

Lewis watched as she rummaged through the drawer in the living room and hurried back with a first aid kit.

“Slow down,” he said, genuinely worried she might trip.

And right on the mark-Doris stumbled as she reached the table and fell forward.

Lewis's reflexes were quick, and he caught her just in time, preventing her from hitting her head on the solid

wood table.

She’d missed a nasty injury by mere inches; had it been worse, she could've ended up with a scar from the

injury.

Doris stared at the hard dining table with lingering fear, her chest heaving.

Holding her, Lewis felt her soft body pressed against his, her faint fragrance enveloping him. His Adam’s apple

bobbed unconsciously.

Her softness seemed to perfectly complement his strength.

Lewis and Doris locked eyes. His thin lips were so close to her, tempting her like a ripe peach blossom waiting to

be claimed.

For a moment, Doris wanted to kiss him. Like a butterfly drawn to a flower’s allure, she inched closer to him.

But Lewis pressed a hand on her shoulder and gently pushed her away. Still dazed, Doris didn’t have tto

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react before she ended up sitting on the ground.

The pain brought her back to her senses, and she winced as she rubbed her backside. “Lewis, you are so

heartless!”

“You were trying to take advantage of me. | was just defending myself,” Lewis said righteously.

He'd been caught off guard and had reacted before he could think. In hindsight, he might've been a bit rough.

“Mr. Hartman, so what if | wanted to kiss you?” Doris stood up, smiling mischievously. “Don’t tellno woman's

ever kissed you before?”

Lewis shot her a sidelong glance. “I’m not the type to date just anyone. | am very picky.” He emphasized the last

four w

“Oh, please. You're just impotent, aren't you?” Doris taunted, smirking. “Six feet two inches of height, and yet

you're all show

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Chapter 53

and no go.”

“Say that again if you dare.” Lewis's handsface darkened.

No man liked being told he was impotent, especially not by his own wife. That was an insult to his dignity.

Doris, completely unbothered, repeated herself with a grin. “A useless showpiece, all fluff, no substance.

The moment she finished, Lewis slammed his fork onto the table. He stood up and walked toward her, his tall

frcasting a shadow that gradually swallowed her whole.

Doris tilted her head up to look at him, her neck starting to ache. “W-what are you doing?”

Lewis grabbed her arm, pulled her toward him, and hoisted her over his shoulder with ease. The sudden spin left

Doris disoriented, unable to tell up from down.

She pounded her fists on his back. “What are you doing? Putdown!”

Lewis strode toward the bedroom, ignoring her protests. “Go ahead, yell louder. Maybe your sister will come

out.”

Faced with the threat, Doris begrudgingly fell silent, letting him carry her into his bedroom. He tossed her onto

the bed and leaned down, pinning her wrists on either side of her head.

The unfamiliar room was filled with his masculine scent, overwhelming all her senses.

Lewis curved his lips into a devilish smile, looking every bit like a shadow rising from the depths. “Didn't you say

| was impotent? Letshow you firsthand, alright?”

Doris’s pupils shrank in fear. At this moment, she was truly at a loss.

She mimicked the women in TV s, making her voice soft and coquettish. “Mr. Hartman, we haven't finished

eating. The food will get cold and won't taste as good. Let's go back and eat, okay?”

Lewis didn’t reply and cast her a glance that was impossible to read. Doris had a sinking feeling that she was in

serious trouble and protested, “No-"

Lewis leaned closer, his face nearing hers. His breath, hot and damp, brushed against her ear, sending a tingling

sensation straight to her brain.

Doris gasped, her toes curling as she fully realized the true meaning of playing with fire and getting burned.

She gave up, switching to begging. “Mr. Hartman, | was wrong! You're incredible in bed, absolutely amazing!”

Lewis pretended not to hear, continuing to tease her silently.

Doris’s scalp prickled, and she was on the verge of tears. “Mr. Hartman, please letgo. | know | was wrong. |

won't do it again.”

Amid her relentless pleas, Lewis finally raised his head. His eyes, brimming with desire, locked onto hers. “Do

you truly realize you were wrong? Are you sure you won't do it again?”

Doris nodded frantically. “I swear | won't!”

“Remember what you said.” Lewis finally released her. He stood up and, with a cold voice, commanded, “Get

out!”

Doris didn’t waste a second. She jumped off the bed and sprinted out of the room like her life depended on it.

Lewis watched the bedroom door slam shut, frustration flashing in his eyes. He ran a hand through his hair

before heading

into the bathroom.

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Chapter 53

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Turning on the faucet, he let the cold water from the shower drench him entirely. When he cout, he was

wearing fresh loungewear.

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As he sat back down at the dining table, Doris noticed the chill emanating from him, spreading silently through

the room, and was confused as to why his hair was damp.

“Did you take a shower?” she asked, catching the faint scent of body wash. “You have a wound on your arm-

getting it wet could cause an infection.”

“Just eat,” Lewis replied curtly, his face a mask of indifference.

Doris obediently lowered her head and focused on her food. The memory of Lewis's earlier loss of control still left

her feeling jittery.

It was the longest dinner Doris had ever had. The atmosphere felt strange-so quiet a pin drop could be heard.

“I'll do the dishes,” Doris said, starting to clear the table. Meanwhile, Lewis picked up the leash for Biscuit and

went out for a walk.

After finishing the dishes, Doris checked on Laura, who was exhausted and had already fallen asleep.

Not wanting to disturb her, Doris went to the living room to watch TV. She had been running on little sleep these

past few days and soon drifted off.

When Lewis returned, he found Doris fast asleep on the couch. Biscuit ran to her, nuzzling her gently. “Leave her

alone,” Lewis ordered softly, stopping the dog.

Too tired, Doris didn’t stir, remaining in a deep, peaceful slumber.

Lewis fetched the first aid kit, spraying disinfectant on the wound on his arm.

Then he stood up, intending to head back to his room, but after a glance at Doris sleeping on the couch, he

stepped back, bent down, and scooped her up.

Nestled in his warm arms, Doris slept more soundly, a faint smile gracing her lips.

Lewis had no choice but to carry her to his bedroom, gently placing her on the bed.

Afterward, he went to the study to handle swork. Over an hour later, he returned, lifted the covers, and

slipped into bed.

Back at her grandmother's house, they had only shared the sroom. Tonight, however, they were forced to

share the sbed.

Doris slept soundly, but Lewis couldn't settle his mind.

He turned onto his side, resting his head on his arm. The distance between them on the bed was wide enough

for another person to lie down.

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