When Julia White woke up and realized someone was lying behind her, she nearly jumped out of her skin.

Just as she moved, a low and familiar voice sounded above her.

"You're awake? Want some water?"

It wasn't loud, but in her ears, it might as well have been a thunderclap.

Andrew Benton.

Her ex-husband.

She squeezed her eyes shut and repeated to herself over and over—this is a dream, it's just a dream...

Because seriously, how else could she explain waking up totally naked in bed—with him?

Not to mention the soreness all over her body screaming at her that Andrew had definitely gone overboard last night.

Bits and pieces of last night's memories started hitting her, wave after wave.

There was a get-together after work for her department. She'd been in a rush, dropped Izzie off with her mother Rachel Getson, and by the time she arrived at the restaurant, she was already late. The department head caught her and made her down three shots as punishment. Then he pulled her aside for a chat. The message was clear: before the hospital picked a new deputy director after the new year, she should ideally sort out her "personal matters."

Julia had been divorced for three years and was raising a daughter. She valued her privacy, and while her colleagues respected her personal life, they also admired her dedication and skill.

Zenith Health Center was the top private hospital in the province, and Julia was a lead surgeon in the general surgery department. Even without the director title, she was in charge of surgical oncology. Her skills with a scalpel were legendary—years of work and thousands of surgeries without a single mistake. Patients would wait days just for a chance to see her.

And, well, then there was her famous beauty—tall, elegant, a face that turned heads even in a hospital full of white coats. Her professional demeanor and commitment to her work earned her the respect of her peers and the admiration of her patients.

The hospital recognized her value and was always looking for ways to support her career and ensure her continued success. They provided her with the resources and opportunities she needed to excel, knowing that her expertise and dedication were invaluable assets to the hospital.

One evening, the department head invited Julia to a casual dinner with some colleagues. It was meant to be a relaxed gathering to celebrate a recent successful surgery. However, Julia soon realized that one of the attendees was someone she had never met before—a fellow surgeon from another department.

As the evening progressed, Julia began to suspect that this was more than just a casual dinner. The department head had mentioned that they wanted to help Julia "network" and "expand her social circle." While Julia appreciated the intention, she couldn't help but feel a bit annoyed. She valued her independence and didn't want to feel pressured into social situations she wasn't comfortable with.

By the end of the meal, the alcohol had caught up to her. She barely recognized who was who anymore. Someone held her up. She instinctively pushed him back, bracing her hands on his chest, not letting him get too close.

Then she heard that familiar deep voice.

"It's me."

And she let go, letting herself fall asleep.

How she ended up at Andrew's place—and why they ended up in bed together—she had zero recollection of.

Her last clear memory was him helping her out of her clothes while she mumbled something about needing a shower.

She vaguely remembered him sighing.

Then maybe she got handsy in the bathroom? His abs were totally her weakness.

She could still hear his ragged breathing in her head.

He'd said, "Hold still, let me wipe you down."

But she didn't listen, just kissed him instead.

Then came the line she wished she could erase from her memory bank:

"You couldn't even wait a second, huh? But Julia, I've been holding myself back... for three years."

If there were a crack in the floor right now, she'd gladly dive in headfirst—and stitch the damn thing shut behind her.

Mortifying.

Sure, she hadn't been with anyone since the divorce. But that didn't mean she had to throw herself at him like some desperate woman, right?

Especially not in front of her ex-husband.