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

our order, and the moment passed. Alexander grabbed three cups, carefully balancing them in his hands, while I took

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

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23

Chapter 40

“I’m fine, really.”

Hospital bills add

“The money you transferred will cover Dad’s

Physical

that far ahead. “I’ll figure

forcing me to stop, too.

I did, reluctantly.

charity. You’re my fiancée.

weeks,” I pointed out. “It would look weird if you started paying all

spin it right. I’m a wealthy man concerned about my girlfriend’s family. It’s

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

hitting the elevator button with his elbow. “But promise me you’ll ask if you need

promise,” I said, just to end

stepped inside. It was empty except for us, the doors closing with

seems like a good kid,”

Computer science

works

raised an eyebrow. “You really did your research

look slightly embarrassed.

your fake girlfriend’s family during a medical

he

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

announced, trying to

said,

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

Alexander said to Nick. “And cream and sugar

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