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.”

are good at

“Yours too?”

an expert at

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

as we walked, “if you need anything–anything at all–you just have

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23

Chapter 40

“I’m fine, really.”

mean financially, Olivia. Hospital bills add

money you

what about after? Physical

thought that far ahead. “I’ll figure

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

I did, reluctantly.

my fiancée. Let me

I pointed out. “It would look weird if you

a wealthy man concerned about

coffee cups in my hands. “Can we talk about this later? The coffee’s

course,” he agreed, hitting the elevator button with his elbow. “But

just

empty except for us, the doors closing

seems like

is. Computer science

works

eyebrow. “You really did your research

look slightly embarrassed. “I like

girlfriend’s family during

everything,” he said

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

I announced, trying to sound

both,” Mom said, accepting her

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

to Nick.

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