The CEO's Contractual Wife

Chapter 43

Olivia

Ethan nearly fell off his chair, laughing. “How did I miss this story?”

“You were away at college,” Mom explained, wiping tears of laughter from her eyes. “Olivia came home that night and declared she was done with dating forever.”

“And now she’s dating Alexander Carter,” Amelia said, shaking her head in amazement. “Talk about an upgrade from Lord

Marcus.”

“Alexander doesn’t wear capes, as far as I know,” I said dryly.

“Only expensive custom suits,” Nick said.

Before I could respond, the waiting room door opened, and Dr. Weaver entered, still wearing his surgical cap. We all fell silent instantly, the laughter evaporating.

“The surgery was successful,” he announced without preamble, and I felt my shoulders sag with relief. “We completed all three bypasses with no complications. Your husband’s heart is already showing improved blood flow.”

Mom pressed her hand to her mouth, tears welling in her eyes. “Thank God.”

“He’s in recovery now,” Dr. Weaver continued. “He’ll be moved to the ICU shortly, where he’ll remain for the next 24 to 48 hours. After that, assuming all goes well, he’ll be transferred to a regular room.”

“When can we see him?” Mom asked.

“You can see him briefly once he’s settled in the ICU, but only two visitors at a time, and only for a few minutes. He’ll be groggy from the anesthesia and will need rest.”

Doctor,” Nick said, standing to

“Mr. Carter made it clear your father was to receive the best care possible. I’ll be personally

Whatever his motives, whatever our

nurse will come get you when Mr. Morgan is ready for visitors,” Dr. Weaver said, heading for the door. “Try to get some rest yourselves. The next few days will

Mom burst into tears–happy tears of relief. Ethan wrapped his arms around her, his own eyes

okay,” Ethan said, his voice cracking

went in first to see Dad, then Ethan and I took our turn. He looked smaller somehow, pale against the hospital sheets, with tubes and wires connecting him to various

kiddo,” he whispered, his voice raspy from the breathing tube they’d removed. “No crying, okay? I’m not

taking his hand

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Chapter 43

insisted, his eyelids drooping. “Tell your mom I love

squeezing his shoulder gently. “You need

under. We stayed a few more minutes, watching the steady rise and fall of his chest before the nurse

ICU, it was nearly midnight. Mom insisted on staying overnight despite our protests that she should get some

not leaving him,” she said firmly. “The nurses said I could stay in the chair.

with you, Mom,”

us to be uncomfortable,” she insisted. “Go home. Come back in the morning. I’ll

extracting promises that she would call immediately if there was any

front of my apartment building, the yellow glow

the cool night

the driver asked, noticing

I’m fine.” I mustered a smile and watched the cab pull away before turning toward

quiet, the only sound being the faint, almost soothing hum of the elevator

me. As the elevator ascended, I leaned against the wall, the soft vibration beneath my feet a reminder of the upward movement. Each floor passed with a gentle ding, the numbers lighting up one

welcomed me with familiar silence, the small space feeling both