The CEO's Contractual Wife

Chapter 35

Olivia

“We’re… taking things slow,” I said finally. “Getting to know each other.”

“Mm–hmm.” She didn’t sound convinced. “And how’s that going?”

“It’s… complicated.”

“Complicated how?”

I sighed, choosing my words carefully. “He’s not exactly the relationship type. And after Ryan…”

“You’re scared,” she finished for me.

“Cautious,” I corrected. “I’m being cautious.”

“Fair enough.” She squeezed my hand. “Just remember what I said, okay? Don’t let him break your heart.”

“I won’t.”

The cab pulled up to Emilia’s apartment building, and she leaned over to hug me.

“Text me when you get home,” she instructed. “And we’re doing brunch this weekend. No excuses.”

“Yes, mom,” I laughed.

“Love you, Liv.”

“Love you too.”

She disappeared into her building, and the cab continued on to my apartment. I leaned my head against the window, watching the city lights blur past. The events of the past week felt surreal, like something from a movie, not a part of my actual life.

The city lights streaked past the cab window, smearing into watercolor lines of neon and streetlamps. I traced one fingertip along the cool glass, watching my reflection flicker between shadows. Had it really been only three weeks since Ryan and Sophia? Since Alexander Carter had swooped into my life like some dark fairy tale prince with a contract instead of a glass slipper?

at my building, and I paid the driver

miss,” the

“You too.”

23

counter, not bothering to turn on the lights. The glow from the street lamps filtered

helped clear my head, washing away the smell

Alexander’s face when I’d told him, “Not tonight.”

1/3

blindly across my nightstand until 1 found the vibrating device. The screen blazed with

6:08 AM.

No one calls at six in the

came out raspy

tight, controlled in that way he gets when

sat bolt upright, sleep evaporating instantly. “What

pains. Mom called an ambulance. They’ve got him stabilized,

was already out of bed, switching on lights, mentally cataloging what I needed

be there as soon as I can. Is Mom

barely. You know how

be all business now, asking doctors questions, remembering

my way,”

sweater, hair pulled back in a messy ponytail. No

forever. I jabbed the button repeatedly, knowing it wouldn’t make it arrive faster, but unable to stop myself.

night doorman, his

hospital. I

right away.”

checking my phone. No new messages from Nick. Was that good or bad? The three hundred thousand from Alexander sat in my account, ready to

the door. “Cab’s here,

said,

your father will be alright,” he called after

sliding into the back

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