The CEO's Contractual Wife

Chapter 73

Chapter 73

Olivia

I kissed her cheek and headed to the living room, where Dad reclined in his armchair with the remote in hand. He looked better than the last time I’d seen him, less pale and more alert. The surgery had worked wonders, even if the recovery was slow.

“Hey, Dad.”

He turned, his face breaking into a smile. “Liv! This is a nice surprise.”

“Not a surprise. I told Mom I was coming.”

“Well, she didn’t tell me.” He patted the couch beside his chair. “Sit. Tell me about your day.”

“Work was work. Nothing exciting.”

Dad’s eyes crinkled at the corners. “That’s good. Boring is better than drama.”

“How about you? Are you feeling better?” I handed him the bakery box, which he accepted with exaggerated reverence.

“Much better. Doc says I’m healing right on schedule.” He peeked inside the box, his face lighting up. “You’re my favorite daughter.”

“I’m your only daughter.”

“Still counts.” He winked, then his expression turned sly. “So how’s that boyfriend of yours? Alexander?”

I fidgeted with my watch strap. “He’s good.”

“Just good? The man who swooped in like Prince Charming at the hospital is just ‘good“?” Dad raised an eyebrow.

“Fine. He’s great. Busy with work, you know how it is.” I shifted uncomfortably, desperate to change the subject.

Mom bustled in with a tray of mugs. “Coffee’s ready. And I’ve put those lovely pastries on plates.”

“You didn’t have to do that,” I said, reaching for a mug. “I would’ve helped.”

“Nonsense. You work all day.” She settled into her favorite armchair. “Besides, your father’s been driving me crazy all afternoon. I needed the kitchen break.”

Dad looked offended. “I’ve been a model patient.”

“A model complainer, maybe.” Mom took a sip of her coffee. “He wanted bacon for breakfast. Bacon! After heart surgery!”

turkey bacon,” Dad

of the day melting away. This was what I needed: the familiar rhythm of

the comfort of home.

a plate with a

“He was

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repeated, looking unconvinced. ‘Is that what the kids call it these

his arm

I’m gathering intelligence.” He leaned forward. “What are his intentions, Liv? Because he looks at you like you’re

my

too. I may be old, but I’m

not old,” Mom and I

changing the subject,” Dad

“There’s nothing to tell. We’re… taking

at a carefully choreographed pace, exactly as outlined in Alexander’s meticulous

first. None of this rushing into things like kids

snorted. “You proposed to me after

ever made,” he countered

save,” I murmured into my

attention back to me. “Just be careful, Liv. Men like

know.” More than

what do you want?” Mom

caught me off guard. What did I want? Financial security for my family – check. Career advancement – probably

I paused, realizing I hadn’t really thought about it. “I

and squeezed my hand. “That’s all

idea what I’d

about me,” I said brightly, forcing a smile. “Tell me

detailed account of his pill regimen, complete with dramatic reenactments of how each one made him feel. Mom rolled her eyes behind his back, making

one,” Dad held up an imaginary pill, “makes me pee like

exclaimed. “We’re

natural. Everyone

everyone discusses it

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Chapter 73

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