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 my favorite

handing me the bag. “Turkey on wheat, no tomato, extra pickles.”

I said, peeling

Nick,” he grinned, pulling up another chair. “How’s the old

stopped by earlier

eyes on Dad’s sleeping

rise and fall of Dad’s chest. After a while, Ethan spoke

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Chapter 51

“So, Alexander Carter, huh?”

we

been dodging questions about your love life for years, and suddenly, you’re dating one of the richest guys in the world?

“Like what?”

he good to you? Does he make you happy? Is the

nearly choking

It’s a

one I’m going to

waggled his eyebrows. “So there is

not discussing this with my

Liv, are

midst of our calculated interactions, there was an undeniable spark, something that made my heart race and my skin tingle

I said finally. “But

me for a moment, then

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

watching Dad sleep and answering work emails on my phone. Around

Nick asked, nodding

up a

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

I said