Chapter 9
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.
His lips parted slightly, as though he wanted to say something, but he pressed them into a thin line. Instead, he gently grabbed her hands, checking her wrists for bruises. When he didn't see any, relief crossed his eyes, and he released her.
She didn't wait to see if he had something to say and simply got out of the car. She darted toward the house before anyone could see her wearing an oversized shirt with nothing underneath except for underwear.
The house was quiet. Olivia tiptoed to the foyer, careful not to make any noise. When she reached the hallways, she skittered to her room. Only when she was safely inside did she release the breath she'd been holding.
After a brief glance at the wall clock, she prepared for work.
—
She hoped her parents would still be asleep when she finally made it downstairs, but perhaps her prayers didn't reach the heavens because when she reached the bottom, they were waiting for her in the living room.
Mr. Hilton sat on the couch reading his morning newspaper and enjoying a cup of coffee while Mrs. Hilton sat opposite him, arms crossed tightly, lips pressed into a thin line.
Olivia knew what was coming and had prepared herself for it.
“Do you have any idea how much you embarrassed us last night?” Mrs. Hilton got up, her face a mask of disappointment as she looked at Olivia.
Olivia had grown used to this, but she still felt heat rise in her cheeks.
It was pointless to argue. She had learned the hard way that fighting back only made things worse. Instead, she let their harsh words enter one ear and exit the other.
“I’m sorry.” The words emerged from her lips. Olivia didn't mean them, but it was all she could offer.
Mrs. Hilton opened her mouth to unleash another wave of criticism. But just as Olivia prepared for the onslaught, her phone rang.
She quickly glanced at the screen and saw Nurse Jessy’s name. She stepped away from her parents and answered the call. “Hello?”
“It’s Jessy,” the nurse’s voice came through. “I’m letting you know that the surgery will proceed as planned. I wanted to make sure you'll be in attendance.”
“I’ll be there soon!” she replied. “Actually, I’m about to leave the house right now.”
Olivia could hear Jessy’s voice asking if she was alright after what happened last night, but all Olivia could think about was escaping the suffocating atmosphere of the house.
When the call ended, she turned to Mr. and Mrs. Hilton. “I have to go. There’s an urgent matter at the hospital.”
Whatever argument her parents had in mind was suspended in the air.
Olivia was already rushing to the door without waiting for them to say a word. She stepped outside, a laugh of pure relief bubbling up from her throat.
She hopped into her car, reminding herself to treat Jessy to lunch.
—
At the hospital, although it was particularly busy with the hustle and bustle, Olivia felt more alive there than she ever did at the Hilton mansion.
She entered Dr. Wilson's office to discuss an important matter. She found him there, frowning, clipboard in hand. He sensed her presence and looked up. The frown on his forehead disappeared in an instant.
“Olivia, I’m glad you’re here. I’ve heard about last night. Are you sure you’re okay to assist with the operation today?”
“I’m fine now, really,” she assured him with a smile.
“If you’re still unwell, you can rest. I can have another doctor fill your spot for today’s surgery. I don’t want to push you if you’re not feeling well.”
The kindness in his voice made Olivia feel a bit overwhelmed. Dr. Wilson had always treated her like a daughter. She could see the genuine care in his eyes. It was different from the cold criticism she faced at home.
“No, please. I’m fine, Doctor Wilson.”
“Alright then.” He could only sigh in defeat. “Just keep an eye on yourself. If you start to feel dizzy or unwell at all, you need to let me know immediately.”
“Of course,” she promised.
Dr. Wilson handed her the patient's file and adjusted his tie.
Olivia skimmed through the pages: male, early forties, spinal cord injury. Before she realized it, her thoughts were already painting a vivid picture of the patient in the operating room.
She and Dr. Wilson spent the next few minutes going over the details of the surgery. Once they wrapped up their discussion, he glanced at the clock and said, “Alright, let’s get prepared. It is almost time.”
In the operating room, Olivia played her role well. There was no one better than her when it came to handling the instruments and assisting with the procedure.
“Scalpel,” Dr. Wilson commanded.
Olivia quickly handed it over. She knew what he needed before he even asked.
"Doctor, the patient's blood pressure is dropping rapidly!"
"Administer 10 milligrams of epinephrine immediately.” Without turning to her, Dr. Wilson added, “Help me with the suction, Olivia!"
Olivia moved swiftly. Every ounce of her focus was directed toward the patient, who they could lose at any moment with one simple mistake.
She could barely feel anything during the surgery, not even the cramp in her legs or the sweat trickling down her forehead.
"Pressure's stabilizing!"
The surgery was able to continue without further complications. Olivia let out a small sigh of relief but didn't let her guard down. The patient wasn't out of the woods yet.
Five hours later, the surgery was a success.
Olivia emerged from the operating room. Only then did she feel the exhaustion hit her in full force. Her stomach grumbled, but she couldn't eat yet. The image of all the blood in the operating room was still fresh in her mind, making her feel a little queasy.
When she reached the doctor's lounge, she had some coffee and biscuits since it was all her stomach could handle without revolting.
After alleviating her hunger, she went on her rounds, checking on the patients and making sure everything was in order.
Around 2 PM, Olivia felt her stomach grumble again, reminding her that she hadn't had a proper meal since the early morning. She decided it was time for a much-needed lunch break.
She made her way to the doctor's lounge, hoping to find her lunch buddy, Nurse Jessy. However, Jessy was still in an important meeting, so Olivia resigned herself to having a solo lunch.
She remembered a small restaurant just a short walk away from the hospital. The food there was superb, and she could use the fresh air to clear her mind.
Stepping out of the hospital, a pair of strong arms wrapped around her from behind, catching her by surprise. Looking up, she let out a startled stutter. “C-Caleb?”