One year, one love by Aurora Miller

Chapter 7

Chapter 7

his

Doris could clearly see every single one of Lewis's long, thick fashes, ach one casting a faint shadow wine is

shuurge

cheekbones

She had just stepped out of the shower. Her faint floral fragrance lingered in the air, drifting toward Lewis and

wrapping itself around him like an invisible thread

Lewis suddenly froze, the hand holding the cotton swab suspended mid-air His lashes fluttered slightly as he

glanced unge at her, his gaze meeting hers.

Doris, caught off guard by his penetrating look, felt her composure crumble. Her cheeks, already flushed,

deepened in color until they seemed to burn.

Realizing something, Lewis abruptly drew back, breaking the moment. “Can you manage the rest yourself? I still

need to wash

my glass,” he said, his tone casual but slightly stilted.

“Y-yes, | can,” Doris stammered, hurriedly taking the cotton swab from his hand. “You go ahead. I'll head to my

room now Good night”

Hastily gathering the ice pack, ointment, and cotton swab, she turned and all but fled the room.

Lewis watched her retreating figure, a faint smirk tugging at the corners of his lips.

Doris made it a few steps down the hall before stopping in her tracks. She frowned slightly, biting her lip as

though steeling herself for something. Finally, she turned back and asked hesitantly, “W-which room should |

sleep in?”

Lewis's response was immediate, calm. “First door on the left.”

“Thank you,” she murmured, nodding quickly before disappearing into the room.

Later that night, Doris lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. Exhaustion weighed heavy on her, but sleep cluded her.

She tossed and turned, unable to settle.

Maybe it was because the bed was unfamiliar, or perhaps the whirlwind of worries that had been plaguing her

lately was finally catching up to her.

Frustrated, she kicked at the blanket a couple of times, then pulled it over her head in a huff. Just count sheep,”

she thought to herself firmly. She lost track somewhere around the hundredth sheep, her consciousness finally

drifting into slumber.

When Doris opened her eyes again, sunlight was already streaming through the curtains. A glance at the clock

revealed it was well past 7 a.m., and she bolted out of bed, quickly washing up before heading to the kitchen.

Opening the refrigerator, she found it almost entirely barren-just a few bottles of water, two eggs, and a lone

tomato. She stared at the sparse contents, her plans to make Lewis breakfast as a small way of thanking him

crumbling in an instant,

With a sigh, she decided her only option was to grab something from the shops outside the complex.

Just as she reached for the door handle, it turned on its own and swung inward.

Standing in the doorway was Lewis, dressed in a lightweight gray tracksuit that hugged his athletic frame. The

fabric stretched over his broad shoulders and tapered down to his lean, powerful legs, every inch exuding

masculine strength.

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His skin glistened faintly, a sheen of sweat evidence of his morning workout. Each bead of sweat seemed to

emphasize his discipline and maturity, catching the morning light as they rolled over his defined jawline.

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Chapter 7

Doris couldn't help but steal another glance, her eyes lingering for just a moment longer than she intended.

“Good morning. Mr. Hartman,” she greeted, her voice a touch flustered

“Morning,” Lewis replied, his gaze sweeping over her. She was wearing a thin knit cardigan over her pajamas,

the casual combination somehow endearing. “Were you about to head out?”

“I was planning to make breakfast, but the fridge is pretty empty, Doris admitted. “I’m gonna go out and grab

something instead. Just wait here for me.

“That won't be necessary. Lewis stepped inside, brushing past her as he headed toward the kitchen.

Doris’s eyes followed him, captivated by the fluid ease of his movements. He opened the fridge, took out a bottle

of water, and twisted the cap off

Tilting his head back, he took a long drink. The muscles in his throat shifted with each swallow, his Adam's apple

bobbing with an almost hypnotic rhythm.

Sweat trickled down from his jawline, gliding over the prominent curve of his neck before disappearing beneath

the collar of his shirt. The sheer physicality of him was impossible to ignore-effortlessly commanding, utterly

magnetic, and seemingly oblivious to the effect he had.

Doris slowly followed him into the Kitchen and stood hesitantly by the island counter. “Mr. Hartman, aren’t you

having breakfast? Skipping it isn’t good for your health.”

Lewis set the half-empty bottle of water down on the counter with a casual thud. “I always eat breakfast at the

office. Don’t worry about me,” he said flatly. “Help yourself.”

Doris tilted her head thoughtfully. “I usually eat at the hotel where | work. They provide employee breakfasts. To

save money for her family, she'd always opted to have her breakfast at the hotel, where it was free.

He raised an eyebrow, seeming amused. “Convenient.” He appreciated the efficiency of it all. With that, it

seemed their breakfast arrangements would remain separate.

“And economical,” Doris added with a touch of humor, her smile widening slightly

Lewis's thumb idly brushed against the bottle’s smooth surface as his gaze flickered to her. “Did you sleep well

last night?”

“Yes, quite well,” she replied with a polite nod.

He studied her for a moment, his tone turning more direct. “Feeling better too, | hope?”

Doris hesitated but then nodded again.

Lewis's brow arched slightly higher. “So, what happened yesterday?”

Her chest tightened at the reminder, a pang of sadness rippling through her. Memories of her father’s harsh

words and being forced out of her hsurged to the surface, but she steadied herself.

“My father wantedto reconcile with my ex-boyfriend, she admitted quietly, her voice steady but tinged with

bitterness. | refused, and he kickedout.”

“Is that so? What a coincidence.” Lewis's handsface remained unreadable, though a flicker of suspicion

crossed his sharp eyes. The timing struck him as too coincidental-marrying him one day and being kicked out

the next. It was enough to make him question her motives.

Doris noticed the faint edge in his tone, the unspoken doubt lingering in the air. Her expression tightened as she

responded with calm dignity. “Mr. Hartman, thank you for takingin for the night. | won't trouble you again.”

“You're my wife.” Lewis said, his voice even and composed. There's no such thing as trouble”

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Chapter 7

He bent slightly, opening a drawer in the cutter le

bit

is the key to the apartment. If you ever have nowhere to go you raw stay

soul metal by trendinning, he hase in Tale

enga

& jur aand by and ente

He paused for a second, his mind raring with thoughs. | marred by Howend hyd

wondered

“Besides,” he added nonchalantly. “I dont live here most of the tore owe the art one’s my *

the unexpected encounter with her yesterday, he wouldst for stayed the uphe

“Then where do you live?” Doris asked, the question slipping out before she could why here

“... stay with my parents, Lewis answered after a brief hesitation

Actually, he lived in one of the estates within the exclusive Suell Hill community in Hamperone. The pending

cords and opulent design were the epitof wealth and exclusi

This apartment in Greenlake Hill was just a convenient purchase for the wake of this temporary manage

“Oh,” Doris murmured, lowering her gaze.

What's that look about? Is she disappointed | don’t stay here? Lewis thought, the Beeting question surfacing

before he shock

it off

To change the subject, he asked, “Do you need help moving your thing?”

Doris’s eyes dimmed, her voice soft but firm “No, thank you. My father’s still funos right now. Going hwould

only make things worse. I'll wait until he cools down. Besides, | don’t have much to pack. But | really appreciate

your

In truth, she was worried that if Lewis really went hwith her, it would only provoke her father further. The

last thing she wanted was to drag Lewis into the chaos and face another barrage of anger wone than yesterda

Lewis respected Doris’s decision and didn’t press the matter further. He simply went back to his room to shower

and change

Doris stared down at the key in her hand. The cold metal against her palm felt almost surreal grounding her in

the reality of the situation. This isn’t a dream, she thought to herself, trying to shake the haze of confusion that

had clouded her mind.

She made her way to her own room, changing into a simple yet elegant outfit, and gathered her long hair into a

low bun, the kind that made her look delicate but poised.

She studied her reflection in the mirror, applying a swipe of pink matte lipstick. It wasn’t bold, but it made her

Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm

lips look so and rosy, adding a touch of warmth to her complexion-

After a deep breath, Doris left her room, closing the door softly behind her. She walked toward the front door and

called out to Lewis's room, “Mr. Hartman, I'm off to work now.”

With that, she left the apartment, her mood lightening as she stepped outside. The Greenlake Hill neighborhood

was prlocation, convenient and well-connected Just a short walk from the complex, she reached the subway

station in no

time.

By the tLewis finished changing and emerged from his room. Doris had already gone. He grabbed his phone

and duled the driver. “Wait fordownstairs.”

As soon as he stepped out, the driver quickly opened the door to his expensive Rolls-Royce, which gleamed even

in the dull morning light. Its presence in a regular residential area was impossible to ignore.

Lewis bent down to enter the car, and as they drove out of the complex, they passed by the subway station

where Doris had just walked by

“Mr. Hartman, that’s Mrs. Hartman,” the driver reminded him, his voice hesitant.

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13:03 Wed, 26 Feb

Chapter 7

Lewis simply waved him off. “Keep your eyes on the road.”

88

But of course, he had already noticed Doris walking briskly by, her eyes fixed on the car, her gaze filled with

envy. She might have only meant to admire the luxury of the car, but in Lewis's eyes, that envy seemed to carry

a deeper, more complicated

meaning

By the tDoris arrived at Hampstone Hotel, it was only 8:15 am-15 minutes earlier than when she used to

cfrom her home. She grabbed a quick breakfast before heading to the back to change into her uniform for

the day.

Just as she was about to head out, an unfamiliar number rang through.

Doris answered, immediately hearing Ryan's frantic voice. “Doris, | heard your father hit you and threw you out. |

only asked him to speak on my behalf to you, but | never expected it to blow up like this.

“I swear, | wasn't trying to cause any trouble. Where did you stay last night? Can you wait forafter work

today? I'll go with you to beg Mr. Reed for forgiveness. You should be able to go hafter that.”

“Ryan, just shut up. Doris’s lips curled into a cold smile. ‘He's the one who gotinto this mess, she thought

bitterly. And now he’s pretending to care?”

“I just want to help you,” Ryan insisted, sounding more desperate.

Then thanks for nothing.”

“Doris, please, enough with all this. Can't we just make up?”

“Ryan, stop pestering me.”

“I'm not going to stop. I'm not letting you go.”

“Psycho,” Doris muttered under her breath, fed up. She didn’t waste another second and ended the call.

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