The CEO's Contractual Wife (Olivia and Ryan) novel Chapter 36

I nodded, swallowing hard. “And the cost?”

“Don’t worry about that right now.”

“Nick.”

He sighed. “Insurance will cover part of it, but there’s a significant out–of–pocket. Plus the recovery, medications, follow–up care… it adds up.”

“My company will take care of it,” I said firmly.

Nick’s eyebrows shot up. “Carter Enterprises has that kind of health coverage?”

“It’s… complicated. But yes, we’ll have the money.”

He studied my face, clearly wanting to ask more questions but too tired to push. “If you say so. Where’s Ethan?”

“He’s not here yet?”

“Probably still on his way. I left him a message.”

I checked my phone. No texts from our younger brother. “I’ll try him again.”

Before I could dial, Mom returned with two cups of coffee. She handed one to me.

“Thank you.” I took a sip of the bitter hospital brew. “Has anyone called Aunt Cynthia?”

“I’ll do it once we know more,” Mom said, sitting back down. “No sense worrying her until we have actual news.”

We settled into the uncomfortable waiting room chairs, the three of us forming a small island in the quiet hallway. A nurse came by to check on us, promising updates soon. Time stretched and contracted in the strange way it does in hospitals, minutes feeling like hours.

“Oh!” Mom suddenly exclaimed, turning to me with wide eyes. “I almost forgot with everything happening. I saw your picture in the news yesterday.”

My stomach clenched. “My picture?”

“You and Alexander Carter.” She lowered her voice, though no one was nearby to overhear. “The CEO of your company? The article said you two were dating.”

Nick’s head swiveled toward me. “You’re dating Alexander Carter? The Alexander Carter?”

I nearly choked on my coffee. This was not the time or place I’d planned to have this conversation. I glanced at my mother’s expectant face, then back at Nick’s wide eyes.

“It’s… recent,” I said carefully. “We were going to tell everyone next week at Sunday dinner.”

“But you work for him,” Mom said, her brow furrowing with concern. “Isn’t that complicated?”

I set my coffee down, buying myself a few seconds to organize my thoughts. “We actually dated briefly before I joined Carter Enterprises,” I explained, reciting the cover story Alexander and I had agreed upon. “It didn’t work out then because

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of timing issues.”

“You never mentioned dating him before,” Nick pointed out, crossing his arms.

“Because it was brief and ended before it got serious,” I replied, keeping my voice even. “When I got the job at Carter, I decided to keep it professional and not mention our history. I wanted to be judged on my work, not my personal

connections.”

Mom’s expression softened. “That makes sense. You’ve always been so focused on your career.”

“Exactly,” I nodded, relieved she was accepting the explanation. “We reconnected recently at a company event, and… well, we realized there were still feelings there.”

Nick leaned back in his chair, studying me. “So the CEO of one of the biggest companies in the world just happens to be your ex, and now you’re back together? That’s some romcom stuff right there.”

I forced a laugh. “Life is strange sometimes.”

“And now it’s all over the news,” Mom added, reaching for her phone. “Look, there are pictures of you two at that fancy restaurant downtown.”

She held up her screen, showing me the same photos I’d already seen–Alexander and me leaving Maison Laurent, his hand possessively at my waist, my face partially obscured as I looked down.

“You look beautiful, honey,” Mom said, zooming in on the image. “That dress is gorgeous.”

“Thanks,” I mumbled, feeling my cheeks warm. “Can we maybe talk about this later? I’m more concerned about Dad right

now.”

Nick’s expression immediately sobered. “Of course. Sorry, it was just a surprise.”

“I know,” I sighed. “And I promise we’ll have a real conversation about it soon. I was planning to tell you all next weekend.”

Mom patted my hand. “I think it’s wonderful. You deserve someone special, and Alexander Carter doesn’t seem like the kind to cheat. He could have anyone, so why would he?”

If she only knew the real terms of our arrangement.

“Mom, can we please focus on Dad?” I asked, more sharply than I intended.

She blinked, hurt flashing across her face. “Of course, sweetheart. I’m sorry.”

I immediately felt guilty. “No, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to snap. I’m just worried.”

“We all are,” Nick said, ever the peacemaker. “Let’s take a deep breath. Dad’s stable, and the doctors are taking good care of

him.

We fell into silence, the beeping of distant monitors and the squeak of nurses‘ shoes on linoleum the only sounds in the corridor. After a few minutes, a doctor in blue scrubs approached.

“Mrs. Morgan?” she addressed my mother. “Your husband is awake now if you’d like to see him.”

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