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.

and Alexander Carter.” She lowered her voice, though no one was nearby to overhear.

head swiveled toward me. “You’re dating Alexander Carter? The Alexander

or place I’d planned to have

recent,” I said carefully. “We were going to tell everyone

him,” Mom said, her brow furrowing with

briefly before I joined Carter Enterprises,” I explained, reciting the cover story Alexander and I

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of timing issues.”

never mentioned dating him before,” Nick

was brief and ended 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

connections.”

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

at a company event, and… well, we realized there

in the world just happens to be your ex, and now

forced a laugh. “Life

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

her screen, showing me the same photos I’d already seen–Alexander and me leaving Maison Laurent, his hand possessively at

look beautiful, honey,” Mom said, zooming in on

maybe talk about this later?

now.”

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

have a real conversation about it soon.

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

only knew the

please focus on Dad?”

across her face. “Of course,

“No, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to

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