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

nodded. “Mr. Carter made it clear your father was to receive the best care possible.

Whatever his motives, whatever our arrangement, he’d come

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

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

going to be okay,” Ethan said, his voice

passed in a blur. Mom and Nick 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

voice raspy from the breathing tube they’d removed. “No crying, okay? I’m

I said, taking his hand

1/3

Chapter 43

his eyelids drooping. “Tell your mom I

Ethan said, squeezing his

off again, the medication pulling him under. We stayed a few more minutes, watching the steady rise and fall

nearly midnight. Mom insisted on staying overnight despite our protests that she

firmly. “The nurses said I could stay in the chair. You kids go home and get some

you, Mom,” Nick

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

better than to argue with that tone. After extracting promises that she would call

yellow glow of the streetlights casting long shadows across the

cool night air, my

driver asked, noticing my weary

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

quiet, the only sound being the faint, almost soothing hum of the elevator as I pressed the button and waited for it to

elevator ascended, I leaned against the wall, the soft vibration beneath my feet a reminder of the upward movement. Each floor

apartment welcomed me with familiar silence, the small space feeling both comforting and