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?”

was an expert at

Alexander grabbed three cups, carefully balancing them in

walked, “if you

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23

Chapter 40

“I’m fine, really.”

mean financially, Olivia. Hospital

tensed. “The money you transferred will cover Dad’s

Physical therapy, medications,

far ahead. “I’ll figure it

walking, forcing me to stop, too.

I did, reluctantly.

charity. You’re my fiancée. Let me

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

if we spin it right. I’m a wealthy man

the coffee cups in my hands. “Can we talk about this later?

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

I said, just to end the

elevator arrived, and we stepped inside. It was empty except for us, the doors closing with

like a

Computer science

Nicholas works

really did your research on my

look slightly embarrassed. “I like to be

what? Meeting your fake girlfriend’s family during a

everything,” he said

floor, and we made our way back to the waiting room. My family looked up

announced, trying to sound

both,” Mom said,

Nick his cup. My brothers watched him

Alexander said to Nick. “And cream and sugar for

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