The General's Replacement Doctor Wife

Chapter Thirty

By the time Olivia stepped out of Dr. Wilson’s office, she had already lost track of how long she had been inside. She glanced down at her wristwatch. In thirty minutes, she would be back in the operating room for her final surgery. It wasn’t much time, but it was enough to gather her thoughts and condition herself.

“Dr. Hilton! It’s been a long while.”

Her eyes, previously lowered to the floor, lifted at the sound of her name.

A man stood a few feet away. Tall, neatly dressed, with broad shoulders. His beautiful blonde hair was slightly tousled as if he had been running his fingers through it absentmindedly. He was smiling warmly; seeing her genuinely made him happy.

Olivia just stared at him, unblinking, searching her memory for anything that would make his face familiar, but his features refused to settle into recognition.

The man’s gaze lingered on her face. When he realized she didn't remember, his ears turned faintly pink.

“I’m Mrs. Lennon's son,” he supplied the information. “You saved Mom's life,” he added, with an almost apologetic smile tugging at his mouth.

Of course, Olivia now remembered. It was hard to forget a patient who had clung to her hand, telling her, “Doc, tell me right away if you ever get divorced. I want my son to be first in line.”

“Hello, Ash,” the nickname slipped out naturally.

“Thank God you still remember me. I thought you forgot.”

“How could I?” Olivia asked with a soft laugh. “Your mother practically tried to bribe me into becoming her daughter-in-law.”

Ashton groaned and rubbed the back of his neck. “She still talks about that,” he admitted, sounding even more embarrassed than he had moments ago.

Olivia smiled at his reaction. “How is she doing? It’s been a month since I last saw her.”

“She’s doing great.” He gave her a sheepish grin. “Honestly, maybe a little too great. It's become a daily habit of hers to nag me, insisting I settle down at my age.”

Olivia let out a quiet chuckle, relief warming her chest. A month ago, his mother had nearly flatlined on her operating table after suffering a ruptured brain aneurysm during surgery. For a terrifying moment, she had thought they were going to lose her. Yet now, hearing that she had fully recovered and returned to bossing her son around like nothing had ever happened felt strangely rewarding.

“I’m really glad to hear she's doing great. That’s what I want to hear most,” she said sincerely.

“Mom still talks about you all the time,” he paused briefly before adding hesitantly, “Actually… Today's her birthday. I'm here to invite you out. She wanted you to have dinner with us tonight.”

Olivia considered the offer. She had thought she would be going home alone, accompanied only by the silence and loneliness that awaited her. Meanwhile, somewhere, her husband would probably be with another woman, giving her attention like she's the only girl in the world.

Maybe one dinner wouldn’t hurt.

“What time?” she asked.

Ashton’s eyes lit up. “Really? You’re coming?” He still couldn't believe she agreed.

“Of course! I would love to see your mother again. Well, I won’t be free until around 8:30.”

“That’s perfect,” Ashton exclaimed. “I can pick you up after your shift.”