Chapter 6 Chapter 6 Doriss parents had always favored their youngest child over their other kids .
Peyton , her mother , might have held some affection for Doris , but it was sparse and fleeting .
For Rupert , Doriss younger brother , they were willing to sacrifice anything even their own daughter Doris , A chill spread through Doriss heart , a frost slowly thickening over the depth of her soul .
Her chest tightened , the numbing cold spreading to her fingers as she clenched her hands into lists , the knuckles turning pale .
Fine .
I get it .
Jimmy assumed Doris had come to her senses .
His expression softened into what he believed was reasoned persuasion .
Good .
Its for the best .

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Mr.
Watson is your perfect match your only real future .
Doriss is lips curled into a grimm smile as she retorted , If youre so fond of Ryan , why dont you marry him yourself ? Her words hit like a slap , and Jimmys face darkened , his fury igniting instantly .
You ungrateful brat … he roared .
Piss off .
Get out of my sight .
Before Doris could react , Jimmy slammed the door shut before her with finality .
His voice thundered from the other side .
Tve already changed the locks .
Dont even think about coming back unless you make up with Mr.
Watson .
Until then , stay out there and think about what youve done .
Peyton hesitated , her voice trembling with unease .
Jimmy , its so late , and it looks like its raining outside … Jimmy spun toward her , his anger now directed at his wife .
Are you trying to make things worse ? If youre so concerned , why dont you go out there and join her ? Peyton recoiled as tears welled up in her eyes .
Jimmy sneered , his voice dripping with disgust , Crying again ? Thats all you ever do .
Its exhausting .
Now get in the kitchen .
and make dinner .
Im starving Silently , Peyton wiped her tears in a hurry and swallowed her sorrow , retreating into the kitchen without another word .
Outside , Doris stood frozen in the rain , taking deep breaths as she fought back the tears stinging her eyes .
Her family home had never been a place of warmth or love to her .
It had always been a cold , suffocating cage , and now that cage had been slammed shut .
Jimmy and Peyton had two daughters and a son .
Doris was the middle child .
Her older sister , Laura Reed now Laura Webb had dutifully obeyed their fathers wishes and married the owner of a small business .
She was now a full time housewife .
Her younger brother Rupert , the golden child , had reconnected with an old community college classmate , Claudia Robinson .
After dating for two years , the two were set to marry , even though Rupert had only just turned twenty two .
Doris , on the other hand , had always been the rebellious one , the black sheep .
Her decision to break up with Ryan only confirmed her parents long held belief that she was the problem child , the ungrateful one .
Before she realized it , her aimless steps had led her to Hampstone General Hospital She stopped outside , her feet unwilling to move further .
She couldnt bring herself to disturb Margaret , who was resting upstairs .
Instead , she sank onto a bench near the hospital entrance .
The rain fell softly , a gentle drizzle painting the night sky .
Doris tilted her head back , watching the raindrops streak across the faint glow of the streetlights .
A hollow ache filled her chest , a deep sense of loneliness seeping into her bones .
1/4 13:03 Wed , 26 Feb FLA Chapter 6 Doriss hand reached for her phone , fingers hovering over Lolas contact as she wondered if she should call her .
Before she could decide , a shadow fell over her , and the sound of raindrops softened .
Looking up , she saw a large black umbrella shielding her from the rain .
Lewis stood before her , one hand holding the umbrella steady .
His crisp white shirt had its sleeves rolled up , revealing strong , muscular forearms .
88 % 1 His eyes , calm and steady , gazed down at her , taking in the sight of her fragile frame .
Doris sat there like a drenched kitten .
shivering and despondent , abandoned by the world .
Lewis had just stepped out of the hospital , his sharp eyes immediately landing on Dors .
She sat alone in the rain , her hair dampened by the drizzle , strands clinging to her face .
Her expression carried a quiet sorrow , and her disheveled appearance was painfully noticeable .
As he approached , his gaze sharpened , catching the swollen redness on her left cheek .
His voice was steady but laced with concern .
What happened to your face ? Who hit you ? Doris lowered her gaze , her long lashes casting shadows over her cheeks .
She had no intention of airing her familys dirty laundry , so she said nothing .
Lewis studied her for a moment , then decided not to press further .
Why are you here ? I … Her voice cracked , dry and hoarse .
I have nowhere to go .
Can L … stay with you for the night ? Without a word , Lewis handed her his umbrella , the handle cold against her fingers .
Come with me .
He turned on his heel , his steps sure and confident , leaving Doris to follow behind , the umbrella shielding her from the rain .
At the roadside , he flagged down a taxi with a single wave .
Once they were inside , Lewis pulled out his phone and sent a quick message to his driver : [ Pick up the Aston Martin I left at the hospital and take it to the companys underground garage .] Lewis had driven his sleek Aston Martin to the hospital to visit Margaret , never expecting to run into Doris .
But he couldnt risk exposing his true identity , so leaving the car behind was his only option .
The ride was quiet , the hum of the tires on wet pavement filling the space between them .
Twenty minutes later , they arrived at Greenlake Hill , a boutique residential complex known for its exclusivity and tasteful design .
Lewis unlocked the door with a quick fingerprint scan and gestured for Doris to step inside .
The interior was a minimalist masterpiece sleek black , white , and gray tones seamlessly blended to create an atmosphere that was both modern and coolly detached .
The clean lines and precise organization mirrored Lewiss own sharp , controlled demeanor .
Have you eaten ? His voice , calm and deep , broke the silence .
Doris turned , meeting his gaze , and shook her head honestly .
Take a hot shower first , he instructed , already heading toward the master bedroom .
Youll catch a cold otherwise .
There are clean towels in the bathroom cabinet .
When he returned , he held out a loose white cotton T shirt and a pair of casual pants .
Theres no womens clothing here , so youll have to make do with these .
Doris accepted the brand new clothes , her fingers curling around the soft fabric .
Her hoarse voice was low , almost a whisper .
Thank you .
2/1 Chapter 6 Were married .
No need for thanks His tone was matter of fact as he opened the bathroom door for her .
After your shower , use an ice pack on your cheek .
I left one on the coffee table .
His attentiveness and quiet care stirred a mix of gratitude and warmth in Doriss heart .
Once inside the bathroom , she turned on the shower , letting the warm water cascade over her .
The steady stream washed away the rains chill , soaking into her skin and gradually thawing her frozen body With each drop , it felt as if some of the icy walls around her heart were beginning to melt .
When she emerged from the shower , her face clean and her damp hair hanging loosely over her shoulders , she was dressed in the oversized clothes Lewis had provided .
The T shirt and pants were far too big for her , their loose fit emphasizing her slender frame , but they were soft and carried the faint , comforting scent of freshly laundered fabric .
Stepping out of the bathroom , Doris was greeted by the aroma of something savory .
Her stomach immediately growled in response .
Doris walked to the living room and picked up the ice pack , pressing it gently against her swollen cheek .
In the kitchen , Lewis was standing at the island counter , his movements crisp and efficient as he placed a steaming plate of spaghetti bolognese on the dining table beside it .
Come here , he called to her .
Doris hesitated for a second before stepping closer .
Her eyes landed on the plate of pasta , the rich aroma wafting up to tease her senses .
The involuntarily auce glistened under the soft lighting , and the dish looked so inviting it made her stomach growl She swallowed hard , the hunger she had been ignoring now impossible to suppress .
There wasnt much else in the kitchen , so youll have to make do with this , Lewis said , pushing the plate and a fork toward her .
Doris blinked , her expression almost questioning .
You … made this ? For me ? He leaned casually against the edge of the solid wood table , his strong hands resting on the surface .
Didnt you say you were hungry ? Taking his words as permission , Doris sat down and dug in without hesitation .
The first bite melted on her tongue , the perfect balance of tangy tomato and aromatic spices flooding her senses .
Before she realized it , tears began to spill from her eyes , sliding down her cheeks and Landing into the bowl .
Whats with the tears ? Lewis frowned , his brow furrowing as he reached for a box of tissues .
He slid it across the table to her , his tone faintly teasing .
I didnt bully you , did 1 ? Doris let out a watery laugh , her teary eyes shimmering under the light .
Her delicate features , paired with her vulnerability .
made her look heartbreakingly lovely .
Its just … this spaghetti is so good , she said , her voice trembling but earnest .
Lewiss lips quirked into a faint smile .
Not everyone gets to try my cooking , but you dont have to get that emotional about it .
He reached for a wine glass , pouring a modest amount of deep red wine that swirled like velvet in the light .
Doris hesitated as she watched him .
Isnt it bad to drink so late at night ? Not if its a little red wine before bed , Lewis replied smoothly , swirling the glass with practiced ease .
The dark liquid fanned Chapter 6 out in mesmerizing patterns , rich and inviting .
Its good for your health if you dont overdo it Doris studied him for a moment , her thoughts drifting .
Hes so young , and hes already into wellness? Who would ve thought ? she pondered .
Lewis noticed her scrape the last bit of pasta from the plate , his smile deepening .
You really enjoyed it , hubr Mr.
Hartman , she said , turning to him with a rare spark of playfulness .
She gave him a thumbs up .
Your cooking is incredible .
Im impressed .
Ill do the dishes From the living room , Lewis sat on the couch and watched her tidy up the kitchen , his gaze lingering on her graceful movements .
The soft light outlined the genile curve of her back , her presence somehow warming the otherwise starkly modern space .
He took a slow sip of wine , the rich flavor grounding him as he observed her .
When Doris finished , she turned back toward him , wiping her hands on a towel .
Come here , Lewis said again , his tone softer this time .
Doris approached and sat down beside him .
He reached for a small medical kit hed placed on the coffee table , flipping it open with practiced precision .
You need to treat that check , he said , taking out a tube of ointment .
He squeezed a dollop onto a cotton swab and leaned in .
The distance between them closed quickly .
His hand moved with confident case as he dabbed the ointment onto her swollen skin , his touch surprisingly gentle .
Their breaths mingled in the quiet space , the faint scent of his cologne mixing with the clean , slightly sterile aroma of the ointment .
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