Chapter 39
Olivia
“Well,” Ethan said finally, “I guess lunch can wait.”
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I let out a startled laugh, more from nerves than humor. “Only you would joke at a time like this.”
“Someone has to,” he shrugged, but I could see the fear in his eyes.
Mom stood up, straightening her shoulders. “Let’s go see your father. We need to tell him what’s happening.”
Dad took the news with surprising calm. “So I get to be Frankenstein,” he joked weakly. “Do I get cool scars to show off?”
“Only you would be excited about scars,” Mom said, shaking her head.
“Hey, I need something to impress the ladies at bingo night,” he winked.
“Dad!” I exclaimed, but I was smiling despite myself.
A nurse came in to start prepping him for surgery, and we were asked to wait in the family lounge. The hours stretched endlessly. I picked at the sandwich Ethan had brought but couldn’t manage more than a few bites.
Around three o’clock, my phone buzzed with a text from Alexander.
“How’s your father? Surgery is scheduled for 4pm. I’ve arranged everything with Dr. Weaver.”
I stared at the message, a wave of gratitude washing over me. Whatever our arrangement was, whatever his motives, Alexander had gone out of his way to help my family.
“Surgery moved up to 4. We’re waiting now. Thank you for arranging Dr. Weaver. He seems excellent.”
Alexander’s reply came quickly: “He’s the best. I’m in meetings until 5, but I can come by after if you need support.”
I hesitated, my thumbs hovering over the keyboard. Did I want Alexander here? Part of me did if only to have someone else to lean on. However, another part of me worried about the complications of introducing him to my family under these circumstances.
Before I could decide, another text came through: “I’m coming. Text me the room number.”
My heart skipped. It wasn’t a question or an offer; it was a statement. Alexander was coming, whether I wanted him to or not.
“Fifth floor, east wing family waiting room,” I texted back.
“See you soon.”
I put my phone away, wondering how to break the news to my family that Alexander Carter was about to join
Chapter 39
our vigil.
“Everything okay?” Nick asked, noticing my expression.
“Yeah,” I nodded. “That was Alex. He’s coming by after his meetings.”
“Alex?” Mom perked up. “Your Alexander is coming here?”
“Yes, he wanted to check on Dad,” I explained, trying to sound nonchalant about it. “He thought it would be good to have someone here, just in case we needed anything.”
“That’s… surprisingly thoughtful,” Ethan commented, raising an eyebrow.
“He can be thoughtful,” I said, feeling that same defensive instinct rise again.
“Well, I think it’s lovely,” Mom declared. “It shows he cares about you and your family.”
If only she knew the truth.
At 4:15, a nurse came to inform us that Dad had been taken into surgery. “Dr. Weaver will update you periodically,” she promised. “The cafeteria is open until 8pm if you need food, and there are vending machines down the hall.”
After she left, we settled in for the long wait. Nick pulled out a deck of cards, and we played half–hearted games of rummy to pass the time. Mom alternated between pacing and sitting rigidly in her chair, checking her watch every few minutes.
At 5:30, the waiting room door opened, and Alexander walked in.
I barely recognized him at first. Gone was the impeccable CEO in his tailored suit. Instead, he wore dark jeans and a simple navy sweater that somehow looked more expensive than most people’s formal wear. His hair was slightly tousled as if he’d been running his hands through it.
“Olivia,” he said, his eyes finding mine immediately.
I stood, suddenly aware of my rumpled appearance and lack of makeup. “Alex. You came.”
“Of course I did.” He crossed the room in a few long strides, stopping just short of touching me. “How is he?”
“In surgery,” I said. “We’re waiting for updates.”
Alexander nodded, then turned to my family, who were watching our interaction with varying degrees of curiosity.
“You must be Mrs. Morgan,” he said, extending his hand to my mother. “I’m Alexander Carter. I’m sorry we’re meeting under these circumstances.”
Mom stood, smoothing her skirt nervously. “Please, call me Eleanor. It’s very kind of you to come.”
“Not at all,” Alexander said smoothly. “Olivia’s family is important to me.”
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Chapter 39
He turned to my brothers, shaking their hands in turn. “Nicholas, Ethan. Olivia speaks highly of you both
I blinked, wondering when I’d supposedly told Alexander about my brothers.
“Nice to meet you,” Nick said, his grip on Alexander’s hand slightly tighter than necessary. “Olivia’s been pretty quiet about you until recently.”
Alexander’s smile didn’t falter. “We’ve been taking things slowly. Getting to know each other again.”
“Again?” Ethan asked, looking between us.
“We dated briefly before Olivia joined Carter Enterprises,” Alexander explained, repeating our cover story perfectly. “The timing wasn’t right then.”
“And now it is?” Nick asked, his protective big brother mode fully activated.
“Now it is,” Alexander confirmed, his eyes meeting mine with an intensity that made my heart skip.
An awkward silence fell over the group.
“Can I get anyone coffee?” Alexander asked, breaking the tension. “I passed a café on my way in that looked better than the vending machine options.”
“That would be wonderful,” Mom said gratefully. “I take mine black.”
“Same for me,” Nick nodded.
“I’ll help you carry them,” I offered, needing a moment away from the waiting room.
As we walked down the corridor, Alexander placed his hand on the small of my back, guiding me. It was a casual gesture, but it sent a current of awareness through me.
“Thank you for coming,” I said quietly once we were out of earshot. “You didn’t have to.”
“I wanted to,” he replied simply. “How are you holding up?”
The genuine concern in his voice caught me off guard. “I’m okay. Worried, but Dr. Weaver seems confident.”
“He’s the best in his field,” Alexander assured me. “I made sure of it.”
