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.”

standing to shake his hand.

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

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

Dr. Weaver said, heading for the door. “Try to get

relief. Ethan wrapped his arms

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

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 machines. But when he opened his eyes and

his voice raspy from the breathing tube they’d removed. “No crying,

his hand carefully, mindful of the

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Chapter 43

insisted, his eyelids drooping. “Tell

said, squeezing his shoulder gently.

few more minutes, watching the steady rise and fall

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

I could stay in the chair. You kids go home and get some

with you, Mom,”

us to be uncomfortable,” she insisted. “Go home. Come

that tone. After extracting promises that she would call immediately if there was any

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

into the cool night air, my body suddenly aware of how exhausted I

need help, miss?” the driver asked, noticing

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

hum of the elevator as I pressed the

the soft vibration beneath my feet a reminder of the upward movement. Each floor passed with a gentle ding, the numbers lighting up

space feeling both comforting and empty after the chaos of the