The CEO's Contractual Wife

I blinked, caught off guard by the offer. “You would do that?”

“Of course,” he replied, as if it were obvious. “It’s a simple matter of making a few phone calls. Consider it done.”

“Thank you,” I said, feeling oddly touched. “That’s… really kind of you.”

“It’s nothing.” His voice softened slightly. “How are you holding up?”

The question, so simple and genuine, made my throat tighten unexpectedly. “I’m okay. Just worried. And, um, there’s something else you should know.”

“What is it?”

“My family saw the photos of us. They know we’re dating now.”

Alexander was quiet for a moment. “I see. And what did you tell them?”

“The cover story we agreed on,” I assured him. “That we dated before I joined Carter Enterprises, kept it professional when I was hired, and recently reconnected.”

“Good. They believed it?”

“I think so,” I said, glancing back toward the waiting area. “They were surprised, obviously, but they didn’t question it too much. They’re more focused on Dad right now.”

“As they should be,” Alexander said. “Do you need anything? I can have my assistant bring you a change of clothes, food, whatever you need.”

Again, his thoughtfulness caught me off guard. “No, I’m fine. But thank you.”

“What about time off? Take whatever you need. I’ll inform HR personally.”

“I might need a few days,” I admitted. “Just until we know more about Dad’s condition.”

“Consider it done.” There was a rustling of papers on his end. “I have meetings all morning, but I can come by the hospital this afternoon if that would help.”

The offer hung between us, loaded with implications. If Alexander showed up at the hospital, it would cement our relationship story in my family’s eyes. It would make this fake relationship feel more real.

“You don’t have to do that,” I said hesitantly.

I don’t have

weighing the options. “Maybe wait until we know more about Dad’s condition? I’ll

worry

“Thank you, Alex.

for

1/3

Chapter 37

at my phone, trying to process the conversation. Alexander had been

poked his head around the corner. “Liv?

tucked my phone

were you talking to?” he asked as we

letting

eyebrow. “First–name basis with the

smile. “Let’s focus on

for what it’s

my stomach. If only

in the hospital bed with monitors beeping around him. His face brightened

saw me.

said, his voice weaker

carefully around the IV line. “Hey, Dad.

weakly. “But

blinking back tears. “Well,

your boss,” he said, getting straight to the point

to the

confirmed. “And yes,

slightly. “Rich fellow, isn’t

“Dad,” I warned.

my hand. “And if he’s half as smart as you, he knows

the other side of the bed. “I told your father we

desperate to change the subject. “Have

running tests today.