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.”

said, standing to shake

Carter made it clear your father was to receive the

felt a rush of gratitude toward Alexander. Whatever his motives, whatever our arrangement, he’d come through

ready for visitors,” Dr. Weaver said, heading for the door. “Try to get some rest yourselves. The next few days

relief. Ethan wrapped

Ethan said, his

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 machines. But when

his voice raspy from the breathing tube

funny, Dad,” I said, taking his hand carefully, mindful

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Chapter 43

drooping. “Tell your mom I

said, squeezing his shoulder

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

left the ICU, it was nearly midnight. Mom insisted on staying overnight despite

she said firmly. “The nurses said I could stay in

with you, Mom,”

of us to be uncomfortable,” she insisted. “Go

with that tone. After extracting promises that she would call immediately if there was any change, we

in front of my apartment building, the yellow glow of

driver and stepped out into the cool night air,

the driver asked, noticing my weary

a smile and watched the cab pull away

almost soothing hum of the elevator as I pressed the button and waited for it

with a soft chime, and I stepped inside, feeling the cool, metallic interior embrace 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

feeling both comforting and empty after the chaos of