THE CEO'S CONTRACT WIFE

Chapter 8:THE VIP SUITES

St. Jude’s Hospital usually smelled like antiseptic and stale coffee. But today, as Elena stepped off the elevator onto the 12th floor, it smelled like fresh lilies.

This was the VIP wing. She had never been allowed up here before.

"Mrs. Thorne?"

A nurse in crisp blue scrubs hurried over, holding a clipboard. She was smiling—actually smiling. The last time Elena was here, the nurses were overworked and barely looked at her.

"Yes, that's me," Elena said, the name still feeling foreign on her tongue.

"We’ve been expecting you. Your brother was moved to the Platinum Suite this morning. Dr. Aris, the head of transplant surgery, has already reviewed his charts. He’s prepping for tomorrow."

Elena felt a lump form in her throat. "Dr. Aris? But... he has a six-month waiting list."

"Mr. Thorne made a phone call," the nurse said, her eyes wide with respect. "Dr. Aris cleared his schedule immediately."

Elena nodded, fighting back tears. Julian. He had actually done it.

She pushed open the door to Room 1204.

It wasn't a hospital room; it looked more like a hotel. There was a large flat-screen TV, a comfortable sofa for guests, and a view of the park. And there, in the center of the bed, looking small but comfortable, was Toby.

"Elena!"

Her ten-year-old brother’s face lit up. He wasn't hooked up to the noisy, beeping machines from the general ward anymore. The equipment here was silent and state-of-the-art.

"Hey, T-Bear," Elena whispered, rushing over to hug him. She was careful not to squeeze too hard. He felt thin in her arms.

"Look at this place!" Toby said, his voice raspy but excited. "The nurse said I can order pizza if I want. And look! Someone sent me a Nintendo Switch!"

He pointed to the brand-new game console on the side table.

Elena picked up the card next to it. 'Get well soon. - J.T.'

She stared at the initials. Julian had sent a toy? The man who barely smiled had thought to send a video game to a sick kid?

"El," Toby said, his excitement fading into seriousness. "Mom isn't here to pay for this. And you lost your job at the hotel. How are we paying for this?"

Elena took a deep breath. This was the moment she had dreaded. She sat on the edge of the bed and took his hand.

"I didn't lose my job, Toby. I... I met someone."

Toby frowned. "Who?"

"His name is Julian," Elena said, forcing a smile. "He’s... wonderful. And very wealthy. We’ve been seeing each other for a while, but I kept it a secret because I wasn't sure. But things moved fast, and..."

She held up her left hand. The massive diamond caught the sunlight pouring through the window.

Toby’s eyes went wide. "You got married? Without telling me?"

"It happened really fast," she lied, her heart aching. "He wanted to take care of us. He knows about you, Toby. He wants you to get better so you can come live with us."

Toby looked at the ring, then at the room, and finally at his sister. He was young, but he wasn't stupid. He saw the sadness hidden deep in her eyes.

"Do you love him?" Toby asked quietly.

Elena thought of the cold contract, the separate bedrooms, and the way Julian had looked at her when he zipped up her dress.

"He saved your life, Toby," she said softly, squeezing his hand. "That makes him the most important man in the world to me."

It wasn't a 'yes,' but it was enough for Toby. He smiled, relieved. "Okay. As long as he treats you nice. If he’s mean, I’ll beat him up. Even with one kidney."

Elena laughed, wiping a tear from her cheek. "Deal."

She stayed for an hour until Toby fell asleep. As she walked out of the hospital, the sun was shining, but she felt a heavy weight on her chest.

She had sold her life to Julian Thorne. And looking at her brother sleeping peacefully in that expensive bed, she knew she would do it again in a heartbeat.

Her phone buzzed in her pocket. It was a text from an unknown number.

Be ready at 7:00 PM. We have a charity gala to attend. Wear something red. - Julian.

Elena stared at the screen. The break was over. It was time to go back to work.