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

Alexander grabbed three cups,

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

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23

Chapter 40

“I’m fine, really.”

Hospital bills add up

you transferred will cover Dad’s

about after? Physical therapy, medications,

thought that far ahead. “I’ll figure it

to stop, too.

I did, reluctantly.

You’re my

only been ‘dating‘ for two weeks,” I pointed out. “It

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

“Can

elevator button with his elbow. “But

promise,” I said, just to

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

brother Ethan seems like a good

is. Computer science

works in

eyebrow. “You really did your research on my

had the grace to look slightly embarrassed. “I like to be

what? Meeting your fake girlfriend’s family during a medical

everything,” he said

the fifth floor, 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

said, accepting

brothers watched him with thinly veiled curiosity, like scientists observing a rare

coffee for you,” Alexander said to Nick.

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