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 that. Hiding their

“Yours too?”

an expert

wanted to ask more, but the barista called our order, and the moment passed. Alexander grabbed three cups, carefully balancing them

he said as we walked, “if you

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23

Chapter 40

“I’m fine, really.”

Hospital bills

“The money you transferred will cover

after? Physical therapy, medications, follow–up

hadn’t thought that far

forcing me to stop, too. “Olivia,

I did, reluctantly.

charity. You’re my

I pointed out. “It would look weird if you started paying all our

we spin it right. I’m a wealthy man concerned about my

the coffee cups in my hands. “Can we talk

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

said, just

stepped inside. It was empty except for us, the

seems like a good kid,” Alexander

Computer science

Nicholas works in construction,

raised an eyebrow. “You really

slightly

what? Meeting your fake girlfriend’s family

he said

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

delivery, I announced,

you both,” Mom said, accepting her

Alexander handed Nick his cup. My brothers watched him with thinly veiled curiosity, like

coffee for you,” Alexander said to

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