The General's Replacement Doctor Wife

Chapter Thirty-Seven

Inside her bedroom, Olivia studied her reflection in the full-length mirror. The mauve cocktail dress fit comfortably over her figure without feeling too tight. She twirled, making the hem lift gently with her movement before settling back around her knees.

She wasn't sure why she had chosen this mauve dress when the pastel pink one was her favorite. It had been the first dress to catch her attention, and Bella had even told her it suited her better than anything else in her wardrobe.

But perhaps that was exactly why she hadn't chosen it. The soft pink color reminded her too much of the dress she had worn the day she almost drowned in the lake, when she had thought she might not survive. In the end, she had pushed the pastel pink dress aside and settled for what she considered her second choice.

A soft knock sounded against the door.

"Are you done, Olivia?"

Olivia took one last glance at herself, making sure her makeup was still in place and the strands of hair she had pinned into a neat bun had not come loose. Satisfied that she looked presentable enough, she reached for the doorknob and pulled the door open.

Bella stood waiting in the hallway, looking stunning in a champagne sequin dress that hugged her hourglass figure. With her delicate features and golden hair, Bella looked like a doll that had just stepped out of its box.

"You look breathtaking," Olivia said, her eyes sweeping over Bella from head to toe. A gleeful smile tugged at her lips. She honestly believed her friend could have wrapped herself in a rag and somehow made it look elegant.

"Says the woman who could launch a thousand ships." Bella rolled her eyes toward the ceiling. She reached up to touch one of her dangling diamond earrings, checking that it was still securely fastened. Her nana had given them to her before she passed away, making them one of her most cherished jewelry.

"Oh, stop with the compliments. We have to hurry. We can't be late." Olivia hurried down the staircase, careful not to catch her heel on the steps.

"Don't worry. The charity event wouldn't dare start without me," Bella called after her, following at a much more relaxed pace.

Her friend wasn't wrong. As the evening's emcee, Bella was the one who would officially open the event. Still, that didn't mean Olivia wanted hundreds of guests sitting around waiting for them to arrive.

By the time they stepped outside, a sleek black sedan was already waiting in the driveway. The chauffeur stood beside the open rear door, one hand resting on it as he waited for them.

Bella slipped into the car first. Olivia followed. She gathered the skirt of her dress in both hands before carefully sliding into the seat. Once she was settled, she adjusted the folds of her dress, making sure there wasn't a single crease. With so many prominent guests expected at the charity event, she wanted to make sure she looked presentable enough.

"I've checked the guest list. Mr. and Mrs. Hilton will be there." Bella spoke the moment the car pulled out of the driveway and merged onto the main road.

"I know." Olivia whispered without flinching. Her eyes remained fixed on her lap as she pretended to smooth out an invisible crease in her dress. "They've been guests every year. They wouldn't miss it for the world."

The Hiltons' presence wasn't what bothered her, though. Olivia caught her lower lip between her teeth. It was the thought of seeing Clayton that unsettled her most. She hadn't seen him since she had thrown the divorce papers in his face.

Throughout their marriage, Clayton had attended this event every year without fail. If he showed up tonight, it would be the first time they were attending without being together. Then again, Olivia doubted he would come alone. For all she knew, Clayton might arrive with his sweet darling Caroline by his side.

After a smooth ride through the city, the sedan finally pulled to a stop in front of the Fleur De Lis, one of the Bradford family's most luxurious hotels. The massive structure rose several stories above them, rows of warm golden lights illuminated the elegant stone facade.

Tall glass doors stood beneath an elaborate entrance framed by towering columns, while massive floral arrangements flanked the steps.

The scene looked less like the entrance to a charity event and more like the red carpet at a Hollywood premiere. Then again, charity events like this were rarely just about charity. They were gatherings for the wealthy, where millionaires and influential families came together under the guise of supporting a good cause while flaunting their wealth, and reminding everyone else exactly where they stood in society.

The chauffeur stepped out and opened the rear door. Olivia gathered the skirt of her mauve dress in one hand, lifting it slightly as she placed one foot onto the red carpet. She smoothed the fabric down once she was standing and glanced toward the hotel entrance.

Bella stepped out after her, immediately reaching up to adjust one of her earrings. She checked her reflection in the dark window before turning toward Olivia. "See? I told you we weren't going to be late."

"You only said that because you knew everyone would wait for you." Olivia rolled her eyes toward the sky.

"Exactly." Bella giggled and slipped her arm through Olivia's.

Together, they walked down the red carpet. When they reached the entrance, a staff member standing by the door held out his hand.

Bella took the invitation from her clutch and handed it to him. Olivia did the same. The staff member checked their names against the guest list before holding out a clipboard for them to sign. Once they had signed, he stepped aside and opened the way for them. "Thank you. Please enjoy the evening."

Inside the hotel, Bella's eyes moved through the crowd, searching for someone. After a moment, she seemed to give up and turned to Olivia. "I'm going to check with the event organizer and make sure there haven't been any last-minute changes to the program."

"It's about to start. You better hurry." Olivia gave her a gentle push on the arm. "I'll find my seat."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. Go."

Bella gave her a quick nod before hurrying toward the ballroom. Olivia watched her disappear into the crowd before turning to look for her assigned seat. She had barely taken a few steps when a familiar face caught her attention.

A man was making his way toward her with a smile she recognized all too well. He was one of the men who had sent flowers to the hospital on a daily basis. She couldn't even remember how many bouquets had arrived at her desk because of him.

Olivia muttered a curse under her breath. The last thing she wanted tonight was to entertain anyone, especially a man. She quickly looked around for somewhere to escape, but before she could take a step, a tall figure moved into her path, blocking her view of the approaching man.

She stopped. Her eyes slowly traveled upward. A broad chest. Wide shoulders. The familiar black suit.

Breath caught in her throat.

Clayton stood in front of her, staring down at her with dark, unblinking eyes.