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?”

know me

“Nick? The usual?”

Nick nodded. “Extra pickles.”

in twenty,” Ethan promised,

Nick turned to me. “You should call your boyfriend. Let him know you might

at the word ‘boyfriend. It felt wrong applied to Alexander. “Already did. He’s

eyebrows shot up. “Seriously? That’s…

decent,” I said, surprising myself with how defensive I

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studying me. “You really like this guy,

uncomfortable with the question.

“Love usually is.”

“Morgan family? Dr. Weaver will be with you shortly to discuss

This must be the cardiologist

you,” I said to the nurse. “Our brother just went to get food. Should we

in the consultation room,” she said, gesturing down the hall. “Your brother can join you there

and several chairs. Mom was already

she asked as

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

opened, and a tall man with salt–and–pepper hair entered. He wore a pristine white

said, shaking my mother’s hand. “I’m

are my children, Nicholas and Olivia,” Mom said. “Our youngest,

“I’ve reviewed your husband’s test results and consulted with his primary physician. The situation is serious

Mom’s hand tighten in

artery disease,” Dr. Weaver continued. “Three of

Mom asked, her voice remarkably

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

afternoon?” I repeated, my

is at high risk for another, potentially fatal heart attack

smelled of fresh bread and deli meat.

I miss?” he asked,