The CEO's Contractual Wife

Chapter 36

I nodded, swallowing hard. “And the cost?”

“Don’t worry about that right now.”

“Nick.”

He sighed. “Insurance will cover part of it, but there’s a significant out–of–pocket. Plus the recovery, medications, follow–up care… it adds up.”

“My company will take care of it,” I said firmly.

Nick’s eyebrows shot up. “Carter Enterprises has that kind of health coverage?”

“It’s… complicated. But yes, we’ll have the money.”

He studied my face, clearly wanting to ask more questions but too tired to push. “If you say so. Where’s Ethan?”

“He’s not here yet?”

“Probably still on his way. I left him a message.”

I checked my phone. No texts from our younger brother. “I’ll try him again.”

Before I could dial, Mom returned with two cups of coffee. She handed one to me.

“Thank you.” I took a sip of the bitter hospital brew. “Has anyone called Aunt Cynthia?”

“I’ll do it once we know more,” Mom said, sitting back down. “No sense worrying her until we have actual news.”

We settled into the uncomfortable waiting room chairs, the three of us forming a small island in the quiet hallway. A nurse came by to check on us, promising updates soon. Time stretched and contracted in the strange way it does in hospitals, minutes feeling like hours.

“Oh!” Mom suddenly exclaimed, turning to me with wide eyes. “I almost forgot with everything happening. I saw your picture in the news yesterday.”

stomach clenched.

to overhear. “The CEO

me. “You’re dating Alexander Carter? The

or place I’d planned to have this conversation. I glanced at my mother’s expectant face, then back

carefully. “We were going

her brow furrowing with concern. “Isn’t

to organize my thoughts. “We actually dated briefly before I joined Carter Enterprises,” I explained, reciting the cover story Alexander and I had agreed upon. “It didn’t work out then

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of timing issues.”

him before,” Nick pointed out, crossing

“When I got the job at Carter, I decided to keep it

connections.”

expression softened. “That makes sense. You’ve always been so focused

the explanation. “We reconnected recently at a company event, and… well,

leaned back in his chair, studying me. “So the CEO of one of the biggest companies in the world just happens to be your ex, and now you’re back

laugh. “Life

reaching for her phone. “Look, there are

and me leaving Maison Laurent, his hand possessively

said, zooming in on

mumbled, feeling my cheeks warm. “Can we maybe talk about this later? I’m

now.”

immediately sobered. “Of course. Sorry, it was just a

I sighed. “And I promise we’ll have a real conversation about it soon. I

“I think it’s wonderful. You deserve someone special, and Alexander Carter doesn’t

she only knew the real terms

Dad?” I asked, more sharply than I

her

“No, I’m sorry. I

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