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.”

Nick said, standing to shake his hand.

father was to receive the best care possible. I’ll be personally overseeing

his motives, whatever our arrangement,

Mr. Morgan is ready for visitors,” Dr. Weaver said, heading for

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

okay,” Ethan said, his voice cracking slightly. “Dad’s going to

I took our turn. He looked smaller somehow, pale against the hospital sheets,

breathing tube they’d removed. “No

I said, taking his

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Chapter 43

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

her yourself tomorrow,” Ethan said, squeezing his shoulder gently. “You need to

was already drifting off again, the medication pulling him under. We stayed a few more minutes, watching the steady rise and fall of his chest before

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

said I could stay

stay with you,

insisted. “Go home. Come

better than to argue with that tone. After extracting promises that she would call immediately if there was any change, we reluctantly agreed

my apartment building, the yellow glow of the streetlights casting long shadows across

cool night air, my body suddenly aware of how exhausted

miss?” the driver asked, noticing my

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

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

doors slid open 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

silence, the small space feeling both comforting and empty after