The CEO's Contractual Wife

Chapter 40

Chapter 40

Olivia

We reached the café, joining the short line. Alexander kept his hand on my back, his thumb making small, comforting circles that I wasn’t entirely sure he was aware of.

“Your family seems nice,” he commented, scanning the menu board above the counter.

“They are,” I nodded. “They’re also very protective.”

“I noticed,” he said dryly. “Your brother Nicholas looks like he wants to interrogate me.”

“That’s just his way,” I explained. “He’s been the man of the house since Dad got sick. Takes the role seriously.”

Alexander nodded thoughtfully. “Understandable. I respect that.”

The line moved forward, and we stepped up to order.

“Five coffees, please,” Alexander told the barista. “Three black, one with cream and sugar, and…” he turned to me. “What would you like?”

“Just a latte, please.”

“And one latte,” he finished, pulling out his wallet.

“I can pay,” I said quickly.

Alexander gave me a look that made me feel silly for even suggesting it. “I invited you for coffee. I’m paying.”

“Fine,” I relented. “But I’m carrying some of them back.”

“Deal.” He smiled, and for a moment, it felt genuine.

We moved to the pickup counter, waiting in awkward silence until Alexander spoke again.

“How are you really doing?” he asked quietly. “This must be stressful for you.”

“I’m hanging in there. It helps to have my brothers here. And Mom’s being strong, but I know she’s terrified.”

“And you?”

I swallowed hard. “I’m scared too. Dad’s always been invincible, you know? Even when he first got sick, he was still Dad. Cracking jokes, telling us not to worry.”

good at

“Yours too?”

an expert

moment passed. Alexander grabbed three cups, carefully balancing them in his

we walked, “if you need anything–anything

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23

Chapter 40

“I’m fine, really.”

financially, Olivia. Hospital bills add

you transferred will

about after? Physical therapy, medications,

that far ahead. “I’ll figure it

walking, forcing me to stop, too. “Olivia, look

I did, reluctantly.

isn’t charity. You’re my

‘dating‘ for two weeks,” I pointed out. “It would look weird if you

a wealthy man concerned about my girlfriend’s family.

hands. “Can we talk

he agreed, hitting the elevator button with his elbow. “But promise me you’ll

just

It was empty except for us, the doors closing with a soft

seems like

is. Computer

works in

“You really did your research

had the grace to look slightly embarrassed. “I like

your fake girlfriend’s family during a

everything,” he

on the fifth floor, and we made our way back to the waiting room. My family looked up as we entered, their expressions a mix of relief and

delivery, I announced, trying to sound

said, accepting her

brothers watched him with thinly veiled curiosity, like scientists

you,” Alexander said to Nick. “And cream and

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