The General's Replacement Doctor Wife

Chapter Five

Olivia arrived late because her car broke down in the middle of the road. It took the auto repair shop personnel thirty minutes to arrive and tow her vehicle.

She took a cab to the Bradford Estate.

The party was in full swing when she entered. The music was loud enough to break her eardrums, and the scent of alcohol and smoke wafted through the air.

She had attended various parties before, but this one was different. People were everywhere, shouting and laughing. A woman in jeans stood on a table, finishing a beer mug. Two bare-chested guys were doing a sexy dance while the surrounding group cheered.

For the first time in Olivia's life, she didn't mind the noise. The sound was a lullaby that soothed her soul, making her forget that her life was a mess. Here, she could be herself, drink to her heart's desire—although she hadn’t done that before. She could even dance if she wanted to.

She pushed through the crowd, ignoring the hellos and waves from strangers.

Clayton was easy to spot; the crown of his head was visible in the sea of bodies. He was standing in a corner, surrounded by girls—no, women—with big boobs, shapely butts, and long legs.

Olivia wasn't surprised. Like bees to honey, he always had a magnetic charm that drew women in. But noticeably, he didn't let any of them touch him. Olivia envied his faithfulness to a woman who had long since been gone.

Shaking her head, she made her way to the side bar, where a bartender served drinks. "Choose your poison," he said with a wink.

Olivia hadn’t drunk before, having just turned eighteen. Selecting a drink was a dilemma, but she didn’t have to choose because a man behind her spoke up, "Give the lovely lady a Margarita."

The man gave her a smile and gestured to the empty stool beside her. "Can I?"

She wanted to drink alone but thought it wouldn't hurt to have company. Olivia shrugged. "Suit yourself.”

The bartender handed her the drink, and Olivia let the cold liquid slide down her throat. She drank it like juice and instantly broke into a fit of coughs.

The man's thick brows rose in amusement. "First time?"

Still struggling to speak, Olivia nodded.

"I'm Dylan Bradford, Clayton's older brother," he introduced himself, and her eyes instantly lit up. No wonder he looked so much like Clayton.

"You must be Olivia, my younger brother's fiancée," he continued before she could introduce herself.

Olivia took his offered hand. His grip was firm and strong. "Yes, I am," she replied, wondering how he knew. As though reading her thoughts, he told her, "My brother talks about you often."

Olivia coughed. Clayton talking about her? He must have been telling them she was a freak.

She was on her third glass when Dylan shared a story about Clayton. "Back in fourth grade, he wet his pants."

"You're kidding, right?" Olivia laughed. She couldn't imagine Clayton, who was already too tall for his age, pissing his pants even in fourth grade.

"I wish I was!"

"The whole mess happened because our sister found a stray cat and smuggled it into the house. Now, everyone knew Clayton couldn't be within ten feet of a cat without turning into a sneezing, wheezing mess."

"Mom was furious when she found out and sent the cat to live with our cousin. But our sister assumed Clayton snitched on her. At recess, she threw a rubber snake at him, and he pissed his pants in fear.”