The CEO's Contractual Wife

Chapter 38

Olivia

Ethan arrived around noon, his face flushed and hair slightly disheveled. It was clear he had driven straight from his apartment the moment Nick’s call had come through, barely giving himself a moment to catch his breath.

“Sorry I’m late,” he said, dropping his backpack by the waiting room chairs. “Traffic was insane, and my phone died halfway

here.”

I stood up, wrapping my arms around him in a tight embrace. “You’re here now, and that’s all that matters,” I whispered, feeling a slight sense of relief wash over me as I held onto him.

“How is he?” Ethan asked, pulling back to look at me.

“Stable,” Nick answered from his chair. “They’re running tests. Should know more soon.”

Ethan nodded, then seemed to notice my appearance for the first time. “You look like hell, Liv.”

“Thanks,” I said dryly. “That’s exactly what every woman wants to hear.”

“I just meant—”

“I know what you meant,” I interrupted, smiling to soften my words. “I’ve been here since six this morning.”

“Have you eaten anything?” Ethan asked, always the one to worry about practical matters despite being the youngest.

I shook my head. “Not hungry.”

“Well, I am,” Nick announced, standing up and stretching. “Cafeteria run. Who’s in?”

“God, no,” Ethan grimaced. “Hospital food is worse than my dining hall. There’s a deli across the street. I’ll go grab sandwiches.”

“My hero,” I said,-placing a hand over my heart dramatically.

Ethan grinned. “Turkey on wheat for you?”

me so

“Nick? The usual?”

Nick nodded. “Extra pickles.”

promised, heading toward

was gone, Nick turned to me. “You should call your boyfriend. Let him know you might be here a

It felt wrong applied to Alexander. “Already did. He’s arranging for

eyebrows shot up. “Seriously? That’s…

surprising myself with

1/3

said, studying me. “You really like this guy,

with the

“Love usually is.”

was saved from responding by a nurse approaching us. “Morgan family? Dr. Weaver will be with you shortly to

must be the

said to the nurse. “Our brother just went to

in the consultation room,” she said, gesturing down the hall.

table and several chairs. Mom was already there,

you heard anything?” she asked as

coming to talk to us,” I explained, sitting beside her and

wore a pristine white coat with “Dr. Marcus Weaver, Chief of Cardiology” embroidered

Morgan,” he said, shaking my mother’s hand. “I’m Dr. Weaver. I’ve been reviewing

children, Nicholas and Olivia,” Mom said. “Our youngest, Ethan, will

nodded at us, then took a seat across the table. “I’ve reviewed your husband’s test results and consulted with his

felt Mom’s hand tighten in

artery disease,” Dr. Weaver continued. “Three of his major arteries are significantly blocked.

asked, her voice remarkably

afternoon,” Dr. Weaver replied. “I don’t want to wait. The sooner we operate,

my heart racing. “That’s

Dr. Weaver said firmly. “Your father is at high

in, carrying a paper bag that smelled of fresh bread and deli meat. He froze when he

I miss?” he asked, his voice