The CEO's Contractual Wife

Chapter 6

Chapter 6

I slept fitfully, my mind a carousel of images: Ryan’s shocked face, Sophia’s smug smirk, and, oddly, Alexander Carter’s piercing gray eyes watching me in the rearview mirror.

The weekend crawled by in a haze. I spent most of the time curled up on my couch, binging old movies, eating take- out, and ignoring the world, especially Ryan’s desperate attempts to reach me. I let myself grieve, but by Sunday night, I was done crying; Ryan didn’t deserve another tear.

Monday morning arrived with brutal efficiency. I dragged myself into the shower, letting the hot water pound away the remnants of Friday night’s disaster. No tears; I’d shed enough of those already. Ryan didn’t deserve them.

I wrapped myself in a towel and stared at my closet. What does one wear after catching their boyfriend balls-deep in another woman?

I opted for armor: a crisp white blouse, a black pencil skirt, and highest heels. The kind of outfit that said, “I’m fine, fuck you very much.”

The cab ride to Carter Enterprises took twenty minutes. I spent it scrolling through Ryan’s increasingly desperate

texts.

“Baby, please let me explain”

“It was a mistake.”

“Call me.”

“I love YOU, not her.”

Delete. Delete. Delete. Delete.

Carter Enterprises occupied a gleaming sixty-story tower in downtown Los Angeles. I’d been working there for eight months as a junior marketing executive, and despite the drama of my personal life imploding, I still felt a flutter of pride walking through those glass doors.

The elevator whisked me to the 42nd floor. I stepped into the marketing department, where Nova was already at her desk, sipping her usual triple-shot espresso.

“Morning, sunshine!” she called, then squinted at me. “You look different. New lipstick?”

“New life status. Single.” I dropped my bag at my desk.

Before Nova could respond, Vivian breezed in, her red curls bouncing as she walked. “Ladies, you won’t believe the email I just got. Apparently, the big boss himself will be sitting in on our presentation this week.”

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Chapter 6

Carter?” I nearly

tr

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confirmed, perching on the edge of my desk. “Why do you look

If only she knew.

I managed. “He doesn’t usually attend

phone. “Sorry, I’m late. The barista got my

to our presentation, and Olivia’s

eyes widened. “What? Which one should I address

presentation,” I said quickly. “It’s more

swiveled her chair to face me fully. “Spill it, Morgan.

my voice. “I caught him

All three women froze.

Santos? The one whose party you rushed off to?”

I nodded.

backstabbing cunt,”

falls off,” Alice added, patting my

almost verbatim what Emilia said,” I laughed despite

Vivian leaned

on the spot and left.

you,” Nova said firmly. “You deserve someone

and a

“I have the social media analytics to finish before

caught them

and engagement metrics, grateful for the distraction. The last thing I needed was to think about that night, including my unexpected encounter with Alexander

Enterprises wasn’t just my boss; he was a legend in the business world. Cold, calculating, brilliant. He’d taken his grandfather’s company and transformed it into a

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Chapter 6

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the dots between the disheveled woman he’d

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