One year, one love by Aurora Miller

Chapter 16 After three days of recuperation, the wounds on Doris’s back had mostly healed.. She decided to

request a discharge slip from the doctor for the following day. Although the doctor advised her to rest for another

two days, she persistently pleaded for an exception, assuring him that she was perfectly fine. Seeing that her

condition had indeed improved significantly, the doctor relented after a thorough check-up. The thought of

leaving the hospital tomorrow brightened Doris’s mood considerably. She wandered into the small garden behind

the hospital, finding herself in a long corridor adorned with vibrant blooms. Spring had painted the world in

bursts of color, and the sight was breathtakingly beautiful. Doris sank onto a bench, closing her eyes as the

gentle spring breeze brushed against her skin. The soothing warmth carried the faint fragrance of flowers,

wrapping her in a cocoon of tranquility. But the peace didn’t last. Suddenly, a shadow loomed over her, blocking

the sunlight and halting the breeze. Doris opened her eyes to find the person she least wanted to see-Ryan.

“Doris, fancy meeting you here,” Ryan said, his voice tinged with mockery as his eyes swept over her blue-

striped hospital “What's this? Got yourself injured and ended up in the hospital?” gown... Doris didn’t dignify him

with a response. Her immediate reaction was to stand and leave, but Ryan was quicker. He gripped her shoulder,

forcing her back onto the bench. “Ryan, don’t touch me,” she snapped, glaring at him with open disgust.

Unbothered, Ryan smirked and casually twirled a strand of her hair between his fingers. “You still smell the

same-just like | remember, he said. Doris felt a wave of humiliation crash over her. Yanking her hair out of his

grasp, she shot him a scornful look. “I haven't showered in three days.” Ryan’s smirk only widened. “Doris, |

call this way just to see you. So, how does it feel to get whipped by a cane?” His voice dripped with

mockery, the corners of his lips curling into a smug grin. Doris’s eyes widened as her gaze snapped to his face.

“How do you know about that?” “Your brother told me,” Ryan taunted, his tone gleeful, his eyes sharp with

malice. “All | wanted was for your dad to give you a little lesson. Who would've thought he’d go this far and land

you in the hospital? “You see, without me, you're nothing. When you were with me, did your dad ever lay a hand

on you?” Doris’s fingers dug into the edge of the bench, her nails pressing against the wood as anger simmered

beneath her calm facade. “Stop pretending to care, Ryan. These injuries are all thanks to you.” “And yet,” Ryan

said, his arrogance radiating from every pore, “you still think you can resist me? Stop fighting. In Hampstone,

who can hold a candle to me?” Doris raised a brow, her voice sharp and unyielding. “What, you think you can

possibly compare to the Hartman family heir?” The Watson family, while wealthy, was nowhere near the apex of

Hampstone’s social hierarchy. At the very top stood the Hartman family-a storied dynasty with a legacy

spanning more than a century, their wealth and influence unmatched. Their ancestors had even held noble titles,

making them true aristocrats. Ryan's expression faltered for a brief moment before he laughed, brushing off her

remark. “Doris, did | mention that the Hartman heir happens to be a good friend of mine? 1/4 13:05 Wed, 26

Chapter 16 “He’s hosting a grand party to celebrate being hole in the enemy and raking sthe fairly bone

and | rea family is on the guest list. | was planning to introduce you to his hot your gut the men aged her

Feigning pity, he added, “If your beg me, for | might rendering you that cDoris scoffed, a cold smile curling

her lips. “You wantin beg your Keep dexansing Ryan's gaze darkened, the faint smirk on his lips replaced by

a chilling ear Brake This ton the ssays to guess what it'll be next time? Crossagain, and there won't

be anyone who can you a a The lawyer's letter Ryan had sent to Doris’s parents was warring, threer writer noms

of hey the the eyes the rebellious, and rebellion had to be punished Unbeknownst to them, their tense

interaction was being lonely okerred from nearby tree, Lewis took in the scene with an expression as cold as ice,

he treaty die Sonding the date of or fed on the nes He didn’t linger. Without a word, Lewis turned and strode

hack to his waring Rolle Rogue the cinched note toot the thermos he’d been holding into the driver's hands. “Get

rid of it,” he redend curly The driver glanced at the thermos, sensing something was off, but wisely kept his

mouth shor By the tLewis arrived at Hartman Group headquarters, his focus hard already shifted to the

mountain of work rating him. As always, his demeanor was calm, calculated, and utterly unreadable-a form of

corres A knock at the door interrupted his thoughts. Daniel, his assistant, stepped in and reponed eagerly. Me

Hat I've done sdigging into the man in the photo you sent me. His nis Ryan Watson, the CEO of These

Gesus Interestingly, he’s also Mrs. Hartman's ex-boyfriend. “Mrs. Hartman cfrom a modest background,

which is why Ryan's parents never approved of their relationship dengine the three years they were together.

The Watson family has always favored someone more compatible “Specifically, Leia Martin, heiress to the Martin

family fortune and their long-tfamily ally. Ryan’s mother even approached Mrs. Hartman personally to

pressure her into ending things” Daniel added, “Word in the circle is that Mrs. Hartman, realizing the Watson

family would never accept her agreed to breakup settlement-one million dollars. Ever since, she’s been labeled a

gold digger. And Leis was actually Ryan brother Jake's girlfriend before their engagement. “Word has it that Leia

and Jake broke up just before Jake's car accident put him into a coma. But the timing seemed convenient, likely

orchestrated to save face. Otherwise, how would it look if the future sister-in-law had been moled with her

fiance's brother?” He sighed tically, shaking his head, “Poor Jake. Not only did he lose the CEO position

during his coma, but his girlfriend ended up with his little brother. And Kyan? What kind of man steps into his

brother's shoes and mares his future sister-in-law like that?” Daniel's disbelief was palpable, his expression

practically begging for confirmation that the world hadn’t gone mad. Lewis finally looked up, the corners of his

lips curling into a faint, sardonic smile. “Ryan’s a cruel pragmatist. Marrying into the Martin family secured his

position as CEO, giving him both power and a lovely wife. Gotta meet this guy in person one day” “True.” Daniel

agreed, his cynicism now matching Lewis’s. “To men like him, when it comes to power, women are just another

bargaining chip.” The inteon Lewis's desk buzzed, interrupting the conversation. Pressing the speaker

button, Lewis heard his secretary, Alyssa Evans, announce. “Mr. Hartman, Ryan Watson, the CEO of Watson

Group, is here for your ten o'clock appointment. It was scheduled last week” Lewis didn’t even hesitate. “Cancel

it. Find an excuse to send him away.” 2/4 13:05 W 26 Feb Chapter 16 He leaned back in his chair, his expression

unreadable save for the faint glint of disdain in his eyes. He wants to meet me? As if it's that easy,’ he scoffed

inwardly. But as his thoughts returned to the hospital garden, where Ryan had dared to approach Doris, a sharp

pang of irritation clawed at him. In his eyes, Doris might not mean anything to him emotionally, but she was his

wife now. That role cwith responsibilities and boundaries. The very idea of being disrespected by her

actions, or v cheated on, was utterly unacceptable to him. or worse, being Lewis's thoughts were a storm of

disdain and calculated fury as he pondered, “Doris and | are already married, yet she still dares to tangle with

Ryan? If she’s trying to play both sides, then her scheming runs far deeper than | thought. And as for Ryan, he is

already engaged to another woman, yet he’s still trying to meddle with my wife. Then he shouldn’t blme

when | take things to the next level! “Mr. Hartman, didn’t you just say you wanted to meet him? Isn't it the

perfect chance now that the enemy is handing himself over on a silver platter?” Daniel was eager to see how

Lewis would handle this. Lewis leaned back in his chair, exuding an air of aloof superiority. “Do | seem that easy

to meet? Don’t give him more credit than he deserves.” Daniel blinked, then nodded quickly, catching on to his

boss's calculated approach. “You're right, Mr. Hartman. Best to cool down his arrogance first.” Lewis barely

raised an eyebrow and looked up, a cryptic smile playing at the corners of his lips, like the calm before a storm.

Daniel felt a chill of anticipation. Ryan has no idea what he’s up against. This is going to be brutal, he thought.

For the past two days, Lewis had maintained a routine of dropping off meals at the hospital for Doris, leaving

almost immediately afterward. Meanwhile, Doris had decided not to tell him she was being discharged. She

quietly handled the paperwork and was ready to leave when she bumped into Ivan in the lobby. Ivan’s sharp

eyes landed on the documents in her hand, his brow furrowing in confusion. “Doris, you're on your own? Where's

Lewis?” She smiled softly, “Yeah. He's at work.” “Well, that works out. I've got nothing on my schedule right now.

Lettake you hfor him.” “That's really not necessary. I'll just grab a taxi.” “Not a chance. If Lewis finds

out, he'll chewout for being irresponsible.” Doris hesitated at his earnestness but eventually relented,

allowing Ivan to escort her to his car. As they drove, lvan’s warm voice filled the air. He glanced at her through

the rearview mirror, his enchanting eyes crinkling with an easy, charming smile. Doris, Lewis might have a sharp

tongue, but deep down, he’s got a good heart. Don’t hold his words against him too much.” Doris shook her

head lightly, her tone calm. | know. | won't Ivan gave her a grin and a playful thumbs-up. “You're really

something else beautiful inside and out.” The unexpected compliment drew a small laugh from Doris. “How do

you know Mr. Hartman?” she asked, curious. 3/4 13:06 Wed, 26 Feb E En En Chapter 16 He answered, “Lewis and

| go way back. We were classmates in middle and high school, and now we're coworkers. We've always had a

solid bond. Doris mused silently. ‘No wonder someone like Lewis would have a friend like Ivan! Ivan noticed her

thoughtful expression and raised an eyebrow, worried that he might've said the wrong thing. “Why did you ask