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

“Nick? The usual?”

Nick nodded. “Extra pickles.”

in twenty,” Ethan promised, heading toward

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

It felt wrong applied to Alexander. “Already did. He’s arranging for Dad to see the best

shot up. “Seriously? That’s… actually really decent of

surprising myself with how defensive

1/3

me. “You really like this guy, don’t

with

“Love usually is.”

us. “Morgan family? Dr.

I exchanged glances. This must be the cardiologist Alexander had

nurse. “Our brother just went to get food.

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

round table and several chairs. Mom was already there, looking small and

you heard anything?” she asked as

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

door opened, and a tall man with salt–and–pepper hair entered. He wore a pristine white coat with “Dr. Marcus Weaver, Chief of Cardiology” embroidered on

my mother’s hand. “I’m Dr. Weaver. I’ve been

and Olivia,” Mom

a seat across the table. “I’ve reviewed your husband’s test results and consulted with his primary physician. The

hand tighten

continued. “Three of his

Mom asked, her voice remarkably

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

my heart

Weaver said firmly. “Your father is at high risk for another,

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

did I miss?” he asked, his voice