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.”

clenched.

though no one was nearby to overhear. “The CEO of your company? The article said you

“You’re dating Alexander

the time or place I’d planned to have this conversation. I glanced at my mother’s expectant

“We were going

said, her brow furrowing with concern. “Isn’t that

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

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of timing issues.”

him before,” Nick pointed out, crossing

replied, keeping my voice even. “When I got the job at Carter, I decided

connections.”

You’ve always been so

recently at a company event,

of one of the biggest companies in the

a laugh. “Life is

it’s all over the news,” Mom added, reaching for her phone. “Look, there are pictures of you

seen–Alexander and me leaving Maison Laurent, his hand possessively at my waist, my face

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

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

now.”

“Of course. Sorry, it

I promise we’ll have a real conversation about it soon. I was planning to

it’s wonderful. You deserve someone special, and Alexander Carter doesn’t seem like the kind

only knew the real terms of

we please focus on Dad?” I

hurt flashing across her face. “Of course,

I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to snap. I’m

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