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.”
are good at
“Yours too?”
was an expert
our order, and the moment passed. Alexander grabbed three cups, carefully balancing them in his hands, while
walked, “if you
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Chapter 40
“I’m fine, really.”
Olivia. Hospital bills
“The money you transferred
what about after? Physical therapy, medications,
thought that far ahead. “I’ll figure
forcing me to stop, too. “Olivia, look
I did, reluctantly.
isn’t charity. You’re my fiancée.
weeks,” I pointed out. “It would look
a wealthy man concerned
cups in my hands. “Can we talk about this
elevator button with his elbow. “But promise
promise,” I said, just
stepped inside. It was empty except for us, the doors closing with
like a
is. Computer
Nicholas works in construction,
“You really
grace to look slightly embarrassed. “I like to be
what? Meeting your fake girlfriend’s family during a medical
he said
to the waiting room. My family looked
announced, trying to
you both,” Mom said, accepting
handed Nick his cup. My brothers watched him
Alexander said to Nick. “And cream and sugar
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