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.

don’t have to,” he replied.

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

care of your family, Olivia. Don’t worry about work or

“Thank you, Alex.

wait for

1/3

Chapter 37

process the conversation. Alexander had been surprisingly supportive,

head around the corner. “Liv? Dad’s

my

talking to?” he asked as we walked back

“Just letting him know

eyebrow. “First–name basis with the CEO, huh? It

“Let’s

for what it’s worth, I’m happy for you,

stomach. If only

smaller somehow, lying in the hospital bed with monitors beeping around him. His face

saw me.

his voice weaker than I was

his hand carefully around the

weakly.

blinking back tears. “Well,

said, getting straight

to the chase, even

“And yes, we’re seeing

narrowed slightly. “Rich fellow, isn’t

“Dad,” I warned.

you found someone successful.” He patted my hand. “And if he’s half as smart as

the other side of the bed. “I told your father we should invite Alexander to Sunday

first,” I suggested, desperate to change the subject.

clouded. “They’re running tests today. Should