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 that. Hiding their

“Yours too?”

father was an expert

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

“if you need anything–anything at

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23

Chapter 40

“I’m fine, really.”

financially, Olivia. Hospital bills add

tensed. “The money you transferred will

what about after? Physical therapy, medications, follow–up

that far ahead. “I’ll figure it

forcing me to stop, too.

I did, reluctantly.

You’re my

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

I’m a wealthy man

cups in my hands. “Can we talk

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

said, just to

empty except for us, the doors closing with a soft

brother Ethan seems like a good kid,” Alexander

is. Computer science

Nicholas works in

an eyebrow. “You really did your

to look slightly embarrassed.

what? Meeting your fake girlfriend’s family during

he said

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

I announced, trying

said, accepting

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

you,” Alexander said to Nick. “And cream

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