One year, one love by Aurora Miller

Chapter 86

Chapter 86

Doris stepped out and placed the vase back in its spot.

“Mrs. Reed, take care and rest well. I'll visit you again when | have time. Please take care of yourself,” Ryan said,

as polite and courteous as ever, showing no trace of the shamelessness and cruelty he had displayed before.

Peyton said. “Mr. Watson, I'm already happy that you cto see me. Thank you.”

“Yes, it’s just a minor injury. You should focus on your own matters.” Doris pressed her lips together, remaining

silent as if she were merely an outsider watching him put on a performance.

“I'll be off then.” Ryan turned to leave.

“Mr. Watson, it's almost six o’clock. You haven't eaten yet, have you? Why don’t Doris take you out for dinner?”

Jimmy suggested after checking the time.

“Yes, we can’t have you going back on an empty stomach,” Peyton added, and then turned to Doris. “Doris, take

good care of Mr. Watson.”

Doris was unwilling, but since Peyton had spoken, she couldn’t bring herself to refuse.

Ryan knew full well that Doris didn’t want to be alone with him, but he had no intention of letting her have her

way.

“Thank you, Doris.” The way Ryan said her nsent goosebumps down her arms.

Doris and Ryan left the inpatient building together, only for her to stop in place.

“What's wrong?” Ryan turned to look at her.

“Ryan, you can leave now,” Doris said coldly.

“I haven't even had a bite to eat yet. How can | leave?” Ryan smirked.

“My parents aren't around, so let's not put on a show,” Doris said bluntly. She turned and walked away.

“Goodbye. | won't be seeing you off.”

“Doris, | have something to tell you,” Ryan called after her. “It's about your mother.”

Doris turned back to look at him.

“Your father already toldabout your mother’s condition. She refuses to undergo surgery, but I think | might

have a solution,” Ryan said, his lips curled in a knowing smile.

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Doris took a deep breath, keeping her voice icy. “You better have something useful to say.”

She walked past Ryan. “Let’s go. We'll find a restaurant to talk.”

Doris randomly picked an ordinary restaurant near the hospital, not caring whether Ryan found the place

acceptable.

Sure enough, Ryan had complaints. “Jeremiah has already booked a table at the restaurant across the street.”

Ryan had been raised with nothing but the best. Eating in a place like this was unthinkable for him.

“Since I'm the one inviting, | get to pick the place. | don’t have the money to pay for a high-end restaurant,”

Doris said.

“It's just a meal. No need to be so stubborn,” Ryan said casually. “I'll treat you.”

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Chapter 86

So they ended up going to the upscale restaurant across the street. Their private booth on the second floor had

a view of the city lights.

Doris didn’t bother ordering, so Ryan took the initiative.

Everything he ordered happened to be her favorite dishes.

“What's your plan to get my mom to agree to the surgery?” Doris asked impatiently. If it weren't for Peyton's

health, she wouldn't have wasted even a second of her twith Ryan.

“No rush. Let's eat first,” Ryan said leisurely, sipping his coffee.

Doris was anything but patient. She feared Ryan was playing games with her. “Ryan, | warned you not to mess

with me

“This is about your mother’s life. | wouldn't joke about that,” Ryan said, watching Doris closely, taking in her

anxiety. “Eat your meal properly. | guarantee | can change your mother’s mind.*,

Doris had no choice but to endure it and cat with him.

She told herself to just bear with it until it was over.

“This is your favorite-chicken parmesan

Doris didn’t move. “I don’t like it anym

Eat more,” Ryan said as he placed a piece of grilled ribs onto Doris‘ plate.

Still, Doris lowered her head and ate in silence. No matter how delicious the food in front of her was, she couldn't

taste anything.

At hwith Lewis, they always ate simple home-cooked meals-not fancy, but still delicious. Lewis would even

banter and joke around.

But when facing Ryan, she had no appetite at all.

‘Wait. Why am | thinking about Lewis all of a sudden? He is makingangry right now, right?‘ thus thinking,

Doris stabbed her fork into the food in frustration.

Ryan lifted his eyes and glanced at Doris but remained silent.

Just like that, they spent half an hour finishing their meal.

Doris wiped her mouth and lifted her eyelids slightly, clearly signaling that he could speak now.

Ryan leaned back in his chair. “Doris, if you want the outcyou desire, you have to pay an equal price. The

question is- are you willing to pay that price for your mother?”

“That depends on whether the result is worth it.” Doris knew this was a transaction, and it certainly wouldn't be

anything good.

Ryan's eyes locked onto Doris’ expressionless face. “I can make it so your parents don’t have to repay that one

million dollars. | can also reinstate Rupert at Watson Group, even give you a promotion and a raise.

“That way, your parents won't have to worry anymore. The burden will be lifted, and naturally, their mood will

improve. You know they've always liked me. They listen to whatever | say.

“I'm confident | can convince your mother to undergo surgery. That way, she can keep living-even just a few

more years would be better than nothing.”

These were the core issues plaguing the Reed family.

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Chapter 86

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“And what price do | have to pay? Doris remained calm.

“Divorce Lewis Ryan laid out his condition.

Doris was surprised, though she had long since witnessed Ryan's shamelessness.

Ryan had always believed that her sudden marriage to Lewis was a way to get back at him, so now he wanted to

destroy her marriage.

Ryan opened the folder he had casually brought in and tossed a divorce agreement in front of Doris.

“Sign this, and I'll save your mother. He placed a pen on top of the document.

“Ryan, can’t you at least cup with snew tricks?” Doris glanced at the divorce papers.

“Whatever. As long as it works.” Ryan twirled a porcelain coffee cup between his fingers.

“Ryan, | don’t love you anymore. Even if | get divorced, | won't be with you,” Doris stated bluntly. “If I leave him,

I'll meet someone else and marry again. Are you going to sabotage my marriage every time? Do you find that

fun?”

“Whether it’s fun or not is forto decide.” Ryan tightened his grip on the coffee cup, his eyes sharp and cold.

“Even if you don’t love me, you can’t love anyone else.”

“Psycho.” Doris cursed under her breath, her chest rising and falling with anger.

“I'm only like this because of you. You forced me.” Ryan's eyes were filled with madness.

Doris thought, “There’s no reasoning with this lunatic.

“I won't divorce him. You can give up now.” Doris rejected his deal.

“Looks like your mother’s life isn’t as important as a man, after all.” Ryan's fingers loosened, and the coffee cup

slipped onto the table, spilling what little liquid remained.

Doris pressed her lips together.

“What's so great about him that you won't give up on him?” Ryan's eyes burned with unwilling rage.

“I love him. That's enough,” Doris said.

“Seems like you don’t really know what kind of person Lewis is,” Ryan scoffed. “He’s been lying to you all along.

Do you know that?”

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