Chapter 21 Chapter 21 Lewis picked up his beer and joined Doris in drinking .
Doris , however , didnt touch anything else on the table after that single bite of taco .
Instead , she downed an entire bottle of beer in no time .
Lewis frowned , nudging a plate of fried mozzarella closer to her .
Dont tell me youre planning to get drunk without eating a thing .
Slow down , or youll be out cold before we even finish .
The aroma of the fried mozzarella wafied up to Doris , making her stomach growl slightly .
She smiled faintly and said , Thanks .
Picking up a piece , she took a bite , savoring the crispy , gooey perfection .
Then , without missing a beat , she reached for a piece of snow crab leg , quickly cracking it open and devouring the tender meat .
Its been ages since Ive eaten like this .
Oh my , this is good .
She ate with gusto , washing it all down with large gulps of beer .
A rosy flush soon spread across her cheeks , her long lashes fluttering lightly as her gaze grew hazy .
Her lips curved into a playful smile , and her eyes shimmered with alluring softness .
Propping her chin in her hands , she fixed her gaze squarely on Lewis , a goofy grin spreading across her face .
Lewis , ever composed , maintained his perfect posture .
He hadnt eaten much ; his appetite was dulled after an earlier lunch with a high ranking government official .
Doriss call had come in the middle of that meeting , disrupting his otherwise meticulous schedule .
Setting his utensils down , Lewis reached for a napkin , dabbing his lips with practiced elegance before lifting his eyes to meet Doriss .
His voice was calm , yet tinged with faint amusement .
Had your fill of staring ? Doris pouted , undeterred , Whats the big deal ? Wont even let me have a good look ? Dont be so stingy .
Lewis shot her a sharp glance , the kind that carried quiet authority .
What does this have to do with stinginess ? he mused silently .
But Doris took his look as a challenge .
Her eyes sparkled with mischief as she braced her hands on the table , rising slightly .
Leaning forward , she grabbed the lapels of his shirt , her boldness cutting through the space between them .
Do you believe , she declared with a devilish smirk , that not only will I keep staring , but I might even kiss you ? Lewiss eyes widened slightly , caught off guard by her audacity .
He reacted swiftly , his hand darting up to gently yet firmly grip her delicate chin .
His thumb brushed against her flushed cheek as his sharp gaze locked onto hers .
Already acting drunk now ? You havent even drunk that much .
His tone was low , with a tinge of teasing annoyance and amusement .
Lewis thought , She proposed to me while tipsy now shes trying to pull another stunt .
Does she think she can keep taking advantage of me ? Not a chance .
His grip on her chin tightened slightly , enough to make her wince .
Ow , it hurts ! Doris whimpered , her brows knitting together .
Good .
At least you can still feel it , Lewis muttered , releasing her and giving her shoulder a gentle push to make her sit back down .
Doris plopped back into her seat , rubbing her sore chin with a pout .
Her lips quivered slightly , and her misty eyes glistened as though she might cry .
She looked so pitifully innocent , but Lewis wasnt buying it .
Finish your lunch , and Ill take you home , he said flatly , clearly unimpressed by her theatrics .
1/4 13:18 Wed , 26 Feb EE && Chapter 21 But I havent finished my beer , she protested , holding up her bottle .
By now , shed gone through five , setting a personal record .
Watching her punish herself like this made Lewiss chest tighten with unease .
When she poured herself another glass of beer , his hand shot out , catching her wrist firmly .
Thats enough .
Lets go home , he said .
Im not going home .
I want to drink , Doris retorted and wrestled against his grip , but Lewis tightened his hold , his expression resolute .
Be good .
Well drink at home , he coaxed , his voice softer now , as though trying to soothe a stubborn child .
Really ? Doriss eyes lit up with a glimmer of hope , her resistance faltering .
Only if you behave .
Okay .
Then Lewis successfully tricked Doris into coming home .
11 The moment the door swung open , Doris darted toward the kitchen like a moth to a flame .
Lewis closed the door behind him and followed her briskly .
He noticed two wine glasses sitting on the counter , but Doris was rummaging through the shelves like a woman on a mission .
Wheres the wine ? Where is it ? she mumbled , her words slightly slurred as she scoured every inch of the kitchen .
Its not in here .
Lewis caught her arm gently but firmly , his voice calm and measured .
Come with me .
Doris stumbled , nearly losing her footing .
Reflexively , Lewis reached out to steady her , his hands wrapping around her arms .
Without a word , he guided her down the hall and into her bedroom , easing her onto the edge of the bed .
Just as he released her , Doris latched onto his hand , her fingers clutching his like a lifeline .
Her glassy eyes , wide and unfocused , stared up at him .
She then spoke with the conviction of someone who thought they were perfectly sober , This is my room .
Why would there be wine here ? Dont think for a second you can fool me just because Ive had a few drinks .
Im not drunk .
I can still drink more .
She even pounded her chest as if to prove her point , though her words were so garbled they barely made it out in one piece .
Of course , youre not drunk , Lewis said , suppressing a smile as he observed this unusually drunk and childish version of her .
You can definitely drink more .
Just lie down for a bit , and Ill get the wine for you .
Liar , she yelled , her voice rising with indignation .
Then , without warning , she leaned forward and bit down on the back of his hand like a feisty little kitten .
Lewis winced slightly , his brows twitching at the sharp sting .
Before he could react , Doris let go , pushed herself off the bed , and wobbled unsteadily toward the bathroom .
He followed her , his strides closing the distance in seconds , only to find her hunched over the toilet , retching .
Her poor tolerance for alcohol had reached its breaking point , and it was no surprise that she was paying the price and throwing up now .
When the worst seemed to be over , Lewis handed her a glass of water , watching as she rinsed her mouth with half closed eyes .
But the moment she set the glass down , she leaned against the toilet and drifted into an uneasy slumber .
Kneeling beside her , Lewis gently tapped her cheek .
Doris ? Wake up .
You cant sleep here .
Lets get you back to bed .
2/4 13:18 Wed , 26 Feb & • Chapter 21 But she didnt stir , not even a flicker of movement .
Frowning , he thought to himself , I cant just leave her here all night .
Shell catch a cold .
85 % Rolling up his sleeves , Lewis slipped his arms under her and carefully lifted her from the ground .
She was lighter than he expected , but as he adjusted his grip , her legs gave out completely , nearly sending her collapsing back down .
He reacted quickly , his strong arms steadying her waist before she could fall .
She sagged against him , her head resting on his chest .
His brows furrowed slightly at the unexpected closeness .
Gritting his teeth , he carried her back to the bedroom , laying her down with deliberate care .
Pulling the blanket over her , he made sure she was warm before attempting to step away .
Just as he straightened and let go , her hand shot out , gripping his wrist with surprising tenacity .
M Mr .
Hartman , she mumbled in her dreamy haze , her voice soft and sweet , like a child seeking comfort .
Thank you for dinner tonight .
Lewis froze for a moment , then responded coolly , Youre welcome .
He gazed at her peaceful , albeit slightly flushed face , his thoughts unfurling quietly .
He pondered , Were married , at least in the eyes of the law .
I might not love her , but I dont dislike her either .
I promised her that Id fulfill my responsibilities during this one year of marriage , and Im a man of my word .
If Doris faces difficulties , I wont just stand by and watch .
Doris looked heartbreakingly fragile , her lips trembling as if she were on the verge of tears .
She pouted pitifully , resembling an abandoned child left to fend for herself .
Mr.
Hartman , she whispered , her voice tinged with a weary melancholy .
Today wasnt so bad to me .
But tomorrows a new day … a fresh start … Lewis stared at the faint crescent of teeth marks on his hand , a testament to Doriss drunken antics .
Glancing back at the culprit , he found her blissfully unaware of the chaos she had caused , fast asleep and entirely guilt free .
He sighed , torn between irritation and resignation .
For someone who could barely hold her liquor , she sure knew how to turn a quiet afternoon into a whirlwind .
But there wasnt anything he could do about it .
As his gaze lingered on her peaceful face , he noticed how her disheveled hair framed her delicate features , strands falling across her soft , flawless skin .
Almost instinctively , his fingers reached out , brushing the loose hair behind her ear with a surprising tenderness .
Her warm breath grazed his fingertips , sending a sudden jolt through him as if hed been struck by a live wire .
Shaking off the unexpected sensation , Lewis turned to leave , but just as he reached the door , Doriss phone buzzed loudly , shattering the silence .
The caller ID lit up with a name Laura .
Initially , Lewis hesitated , reluctant to answer a call that wasnt meant for him .

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But when the phone vibrated persistently , ringing a second and third time without pause , he figured there must be something urgent and finally picked up .
The moment the phone clicked on , Lauras frantic voice came through , sharp with worry .
Doris ? Hello , this is Lewis , he replied evenly .
Oh, hi , Lewis .
This is Laura , Doriss sister .
Is she okay ? Concern threaded through her tone , making it clear she was deeply worried .
Earlier , Laura had been helpless , unable to stand up to Jimmy and help Doris .
So now , all she could do was call to express her care from afar .
Lewis lowered his voice , not wanting to wake Doris up .
Dont worry .
Shes fine , he assured Laura , stepping out of the room 3/4 13:18 Wed , 26 Feb.
Chapter 21 and into the living room to keep his voice down .
She was exhausted and fell asleep .
Relief was audible on the other end .
Im glad she has you looking after her .
I was so worried , Laura said , her voice softening From the way Lewis had defended Doris earlier , Laura could tell that he was someone worthy of her sisters trust .
His actions spoke volumes , showing that he wasnt just a husband by name he was someone who would stand by Doris , no matter the situation .
Thank you for trusting me , Lewis replied , his voice warm but polite .
Doris has always had an eye for people .
I believe in her choices and judgement , and I have faith in you , Laura said , her voice filled with warmth .
Based on everything that had happened today , Laura was more than convinced of Lewiss character .
As she felt a sense of relief , Lauras thoughts turned bittersweet , and she couldnt help but reflect on the past .
My parents were always biased towards our little brother , Rupert , especially my dad .
Mom had him when she was older , so they doted on him even more .
While Doris and I both had a tough childhood , Doris endured even more hardship than I did .
I was the quiet , obedient one , but Doriss personality just wouldnt allow her to bend or submit .
Thats why my dad was always harsher with her .
She let out a deep sigh before continuing , her voice tinged with nostalgia , Since we were little , anything good food , clothes , toys always went straight to Rupert first .
Doris and I would watch him , green with envy .
There was this one time , Rupert deliberately flaunted some delicious treat in front of Doris .
She couldnt help but stare at him , longing .
She asked him for just a little bite , hoping he might share .
But instead , he tossed it to the dog without a second thought , leng Doris empty handed