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 his hand. “For

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

rush of gratitude toward Alexander. Whatever his motives, whatever our arrangement,

get you when Mr. Morgan is ready for visitors,” Dr. Weaver said, heading for the door.

of relief. Ethan wrapped

going to be okay,” Ethan said, his

took our turn. He looked smaller somehow, pale against the hospital sheets, with tubes and wires connecting him to various machines. But when

breathing tube they’d removed. “No crying,

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

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Chapter 43

drooping. “Tell your

squeezing his

We stayed a few more minutes, watching the steady rise and fall of

Mom

I could stay in

with you, Mom,”

need for all of us to be uncomfortable,” she insisted. “Go home. Come back

After extracting promises that she would call immediately if there was any change, we reluctantly

stopped in front of my apartment building, the yellow glow of

into the cool night air,

driver

thank you. I’m fine.” I mustered a smile and watched the

almost soothing hum

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 a gentle ding, the numbers lighting up one by one until I finally reached

small space feeling both comforting and empty