The General's Replacement Doctor Wife

Chapter Fifteen

The wedding day arrived.

The atmosphere was vibrant. Everyone was all smiles. Yet amid the celebration, the bride stood apart. Her hands trembled with a chill that no warmth could quell.

Standing in front of the full-length mirror inside her hotel room, Olivia looked breathtakingly beautiful in her pristine white gown.

Despite every detail of the wedding unfolding perfectly, just as any bride dreams it should, she found herself unable to muster a smile.

“You look lovely, Dr. Hilton,” her maid of honor beamed at her. “You are lucky to be marrying the most sought-after bachelor in town.”

Lucky? Olivia wanted to laugh. She could think of a word to describe her situation, but it certainly wasn’t “lucky.” Trapped, suffocated, or even doomed might be more fitting.

Just then, the door creaked open, and Mrs. Hilton floated into the room, wearing a magnificent mauve ombre gown. She looked every bit the star of the day. Olivia couldn’t help but think that had it been white, people could easily mistake her adoptive mother for the bride.

“Olivia, it's time.”

Those three words made her shake even more, but she forced herself to get up and smile like it was the happiest day of her life.

She fell into step with her adoptive mother as they made their way to the driveway where the bridal car awaited. The chauffeur opened the door, and Olivia sank into the soft leather seat.

The car smoothly cruised down the highway, heading to the place where everyone, including the groom, was waiting.

The streets passed by in a blur of colors. Olivia could see people walking on the sidewalks, smiling, living their normal lives. They looked so free while she felt so confined, as if the walls of her life were closing in tighter with every minute.

Suddenly, a red light made the bridal car stop, and for one wild moment, her hand reached for the door handle, ready to flee from everything that made her feel suffocated.

She could do it. Just push the door open, gather her skirts, and run.

Run where? The question mocked her.

She had nowhere else to go.

Her only chance of running away slipped away like sand through her fingers when the light turned green.

Soon enough, the Cathedral appeared in the distance. Olivia's breath caught in her throat. She wasn't ready.

The car slowed, tires crunching on the gravel of the driveway. The chauffeur opened the car door, letting in the sound of church bells.

She slowly got out and walked forward. The heavy wooden doors opened wide, and organ music filled the Cathedral.

Everyone rose from their seats, turning to look at her with awe and appreciation in their eyes.

Mrs. Hilton sat first in the first row on the left side of the Cathedral, a satisfied smile gracing her burgundy lips. It was, after all, the wedding she had always envisioned for her beloved daughter, Caroline. Olivia was just a placeholder in this whole charade.

In the first row on the right side, Mr. and Mrs. Bradford radiated smiles that melted the chill in Olivia's heart. For the first time since she woke up this morning, she smiled. It was a smile she truly meant.

The next thing Olivia knew, Mr. Hilton was beside her, taking her arm. They gracefully walked down the red carpet that led to the altar.

Through her veil, she caught a glimpse of her groom, the man her fourteen-year-old self had once foolishly fallen in love with and still adored to this day.