The General's Replacement Doctor Wife

Chapter Nine

Olivia stirred from her sleep. She stretched her arms and instinctively wrapped them around the warmth beside her. It felt nice and comforting.

She smiled and drifted back to sleep.

But realization hit her with lightning speed. Her eyes shot open, wondering whom she had been hugging with unbridled possessiveness, and she nearly let out a shriek. Clayton lay beside her.

Her cheeks flushed a deep crimson. She immediately released her hold on his bare torso, the remnants of sleep fading from her system.

Olivia had never seen him naked before. This was her first time. She tried hard to look away, but she couldn't help but survey his body.

The word "beautiful" wasn't typically used to describe a man, but at that moment, as Olivia gazed at him, it was the only word that came to her mind.

He was beautiful in a way that transcended typical standards. He was beautiful despite the scars. In fact, he had countless scars tracing along his skin, but it was the bullet scar near his heart that made her pause. It was deeper than she had thought.

Without thinking, her fingers moved toward his scar, but the moment her skin made contact, Clayton's eyes flew open, his body reacting before his mind could catch up.

In an instant, he rolled over, pinning Olivia's hands above her head. She let out a shriek that echoed in the stillness of the room.

“I-it h-hurts,” Olivia winced, trying to free herself from his unyielding grip.

Clayton’s expression shifted from sleepiness to alarm. The fear and pain in her eyes doused him like cold water. He quickly released her and rolled off her.

“I’m sorry, Olivia.”

She could see the embarrassment in his eyes, the way he struggled to find the right words, but she couldn't bring herself to say a word because she was too stunned to speak.

Olivia abandoned the bed.

She hurried to the bathroom and found herself standing in front of the mirror. Her hair was a wild mess, and her cheeks were flushed. Clayton’s oversized shirt hung loosely on her frame.

She sighed and splashed cold water on her face.

After tidying herself up, she took a moment to compose her thoughts.

With one last glance in the mirror, she stepped back into the bedroom. Clayton still sat on the bed, evidently worried and regretful.

“I’m going home,” Olivia announced.

“Would you like to have breakfast before you go?” he offered.

She wasn't sure if it was out of kindness or guilt for what had happened moments ago. Either way, she couldn't stay. She had to be at the hospital in about an hour.

“There’s a scheduled surgery for a patient, and I can’t be late for my shift today,” she told him.

Clayton got up and grabbed a fresh shirt and pants to put on. “I’ll drive you home.”

She hesitated for a moment but realized it was more convenient than waiting for a cab. “Okay.”

Inside the car, they drove in silence.

The journey felt like an eternity. No one dared to speak or initiate a conversation. Olivia thought it was better that way since there was nothing to talk about anyway.

When Clayton finally parked the car in front of the Hilton Mansion, she felt an instant relief.

“Thank you.” She turned to him, her hand already pushing the door open.