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.”

twenty,” Ethan promised, heading toward the

should call your boyfriend. Let him know

wrong applied to Alexander. “Already

up. “Seriously? That’s…

I said, surprising myself with

1/3

really like this guy,

with

“Love usually is.”

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

exchanged glances. This must

said to the nurse. “Our brother just went to get food. Should we

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

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

you heard anything?” she asked

is coming to talk to us,” I

He wore a pristine white coat with “Dr. Marcus

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

Nicholas and Olivia,” Mom

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

felt Mom’s hand

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

asked, her

afternoon,” Dr. Weaver replied. “I don’t want to wait. The sooner we operate, the better his chances for a full

I repeated, my heart

said firmly. “Your father is at high risk for another, potentially fatal heart attack

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

did I miss?” he asked,