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

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

the comfort of home.

plate with a chocolate

“He was being

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

his arm lightly. “Stop teasing

he looks at you like you’re the answer to a question

choked on my pastry. “Dad!

be old, but

old,” Mom and I

changing the subject,” Dad

nothing to tell. We’re…

relationship was progressing at a carefully choreographed pace, exactly as outlined in

other first. None of this rushing into things like kids

proposed to me after

ever

murmured

his attention back to me. “Just be careful, Liv. Men like Alexander Carter are

me, I know.” More than

what do you

guard. What did I want? Financial security for my family – check. Career

realizing I hadn’t really thought about it.

hand. “That’s all we want for

lump formed in my throat. They had no idea what I’d agreed to, what I was doing. The

smile. “Tell me about your

of his pill regimen, complete with dramatic reenactments of how

up an

exclaimed.

natural. Everyone

everyone discusses

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Chapter 73

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