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.

one was nearby to overhear. “The CEO

swiveled toward me. “You’re

planned to

were going to tell

said, her brow furrowing with

my coffee down, buying myself a few seconds to organize my thoughts. “We actually dated briefly before I joined Carter

1/3

of timing issues.”

before,”

I got the job at Carter, I decided to keep it professional and not mention our

connections.”

“That makes sense. You’ve always been

relieved she was accepting the explanation. “We reconnected recently at a company event, and… well, we realized there

of one of the biggest companies in the world just happens to be your ex, and now

a laugh. “Life is strange

all over the news,” Mom added, reaching for her phone. “Look, there are pictures of you two at that

screen, showing me the same photos I’d already seen–Alexander and me leaving Maison Laurent, his hand possessively at my waist, my face partially obscured as

honey,” Mom said, zooming in on the image. “That dress

maybe

now.”

immediately sobered. “Of course. Sorry, it

know,” I sighed. “And I promise we’ll have a real conversation about it soon. I was planning to tell you

and Alexander Carter doesn’t seem like the kind

only knew the real

please focus on Dad?” I asked, more sharply than I

flashing across her face. “Of

immediately felt guilty. “No, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to snap. I’m just

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