The CEO's Contractual Wife

Chapter 86

Olivia

“The car is here!” Ariana called from the living room.

My heart jumped into my throat. This was it. No turning back.

The drive to the Carter estate passed in a blur of nerves and champagne. The sprawling property had been transformed for the occasion, with white roses and delicate fairy lights adorning the entrance and garden paths.

“Wow,” Emilia breathed as we pulled up to the private entrance. “This is like a fairytale.”

It was beautiful, I had to admit. Elegant and understated, exactly as I would have chosen if this had been real.

We were escorted to a luxurious suite where I could wait until the ceremony. Alexander had arranged every detail, from the chilled champagne to the fresh flowers matching my bouquet.

“Nervous?” Emilia asked, helping me with a final touch–up to my makeup.

“A little,” I admitted. “It’s all happening so fast.”

“When it’s right, it’s right,” she said, echoing the line Alexander and I had rehearsed for our families. “And you two are definitely right.”

A knock at the door interrupted us. My father entered, looking handsome in his new suit, another gift from Alexander.

“There’s my girl,” he said, his voice thick with emotion. “You look beautiful, Olivia.”

Thanks, Dad.” I hugged him carefully, mindful of my dress. “How are you feeling?”

Alexander found

a lie; Alexander had arranged for the best cardiologist

wedding planner announced, poking her head into the

his arm.

and nodded, not trusting my

chairs arranged in neat rows faced an elegant flower arch where Alexander waited.

as the music changed. Dad squeezed my arm reassuringly

tall and impossibly handsome in his custom tuxedo. His eyes locked with mine, something unreadable in their depths. For a moment, the rest of

All I could see was Alexander, watching me with

married?” the officiant asked

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my hand in Alexander’s.

closed around mine, warm and steady.

surprised by the breathlessness in

together, beautiful promises that sounded sincere enough to convince everyone present but vague enough that we weren’t actually lying. The ring Alexander slid onto my finger was a stunning platinum band set with diamonds. “Worthy of a Carter,” he’d explained when

earlier that week.

pronounce you husband and wife,” the officiant declared.

kissed before, of course, quick pecks for the benefit of

hand came up to cup my face, and I found myself leaning into him, my free hand resting on his chest. The kiss deepened for a moment, his tongue briefly touching mine before he pulled back, his eyes dark with something that made

around us. Alexander smiled, a genuine smile that reached his eyes, and

announced, “I present to

family, his family, colleagues, and friends all believed in this perfect love story. I spotted Emilia wiping away tears, my mother clutching my father’s arm, and even

down the aisle, Alexander leaned

sent