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.

Carter.” She lowered her voice, though no one was nearby to overhear. “The CEO of your company? The

“You’re dating Alexander Carter?

nearly choked on my coffee. This was not the time or place I’d planned to have this conversation. I glanced at

“We were going to tell everyone next week at Sunday

for him,” Mom said, her brow furrowing

myself a few seconds to organize my thoughts. “We actually dated briefly before I joined Carter Enterprises,” I explained, reciting the cover story Alexander and I

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of timing issues.”

him before,” Nick pointed out, crossing

before it got serious,” I replied, keeping my voice even. “When I got the job at Carter, I decided to keep it professional and not mention our history. I wanted to be judged on

connections.”

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

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

chair, studying me. “So the CEO of one of the biggest companies in the world just happens to be your

forced a laugh. “Life is strange

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

I’d already seen–Alexander and me leaving Maison Laurent, his hand possessively at my waist, my face partially obscured

honey,” Mom said, zooming in on the

cheeks warm. “Can we maybe talk about this later? I’m more concerned about

now.”

expression immediately sobered. “Of course. Sorry, it

conversation

my hand. “I think it’s wonderful. You deserve someone special, and Alexander Carter doesn’t seem like the kind to cheat.

she only knew the

please focus on Dad?” I asked,

her face. “Of

I’m sorry. I didn’t mean

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