The CEO's Contractual Wife

Chapter 51

Olivia

I woke up the next morning feeling more exhausted than when I’d gone to bed. My dreams had been a chaotic mix of hospital corridors, Alexander’s hands, and my father’s pale face against white sheets. Not exactly restful.

The hospital looked different in daylight, less ominous, more institutional.

I found Mom exactly where I’d left her, dozing uncomfortably in a chair pulled close to Dad’s bed. She was startled awake when I touched her shoulder.

“Olivia,” she blinked, disoriented. “What time is it?”

“Almost nine. How is he?”

We both looked at Dad, who slept peacefully, his chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm. The machines around him beeped quietly, monitoring his vital signs.

“Stable,” Mom whispered. “The nurse said he’s doing well. Better than expected.”

I squeezed her shoulder. “You should go home and get some real sleep. I’ll stay with him.”

‘I’m fine,” she insisted, but the dark circles under her eyes told a different story.

‘Mom, you won’t help Dad by making yourself sick. Go home. Shower. Sleep in a real bed. I promise I’ll call if anything changes.”

She hesitated, then nodded reluctantly. “Just for a few hours.”

After Mom left, I settled into the chair she’d vacated, pulling out my phone to check my work emails. Nothing urgent, just a few messages expressing concern about my absence and wishing my father well. Alexander had clearly informed the team about my situation.

I texted him a quick update: “Dad’s stable after surgery. In ICU. Thanks again for arranging Dr. Weaver.”

His reply came a few minutes later: “That’s great news. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you need anything at all.”

The hours passed slowly. Dad woke briefly, confused and groggy, but recognized me and squeezed my hand before drifting off again. The nurses came and went, checking his vitals, adjusting medications, offering me coffee, and updates in equal

measure.

with a paper bag from

handing me the bag. “Turkey on wheat,

I said, peeling back the

pulling up another chair. “How’s the

stopped by earlier and said

nodded, his eyes on Dad’s sleeping

watching the steady rise and fall of Dad’s chest. After a while,

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Chapter 51

“So, Alexander Carter, huh?”

“Can we not

suddenly, you’re

“Like what?”

to you? Does he make you happy? Is

spluttered, nearly choking on

It’s a

one I’m going

eyebrows. “So there

not discussing this with my

fine. But seriously, Liv, are you happy with

in the midst of our calculated interactions, there was an undeniable spark, something that made my heart race and my skin tingle whenever he was near. It was confusing, thrilling, and utterly unexpected, leaving me unsure of how to label my

“But

me for a moment, then nodded. “Good. That’s all that

topics: his classes, my job, the latest family gossip. After an hour, Ethan left for his afternoon class, promising to

and answering

he?” Nick asked, nodding

He woke up a

handed me a paper cup. “I brought you decent coffee. That hospital stuff is

a saint,” I said gratefully, inhaling