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?”

“That doctor Alexander found did wonders. I’ll be dancing at your wedding

of guilt washed over me. At least that part wasn’t a lie; Alexander had arranged for

time,” the wedding planner announced, poking her

offered his arm.

and nodded, not trusting my

had planned, or rather, as Alexander had planned and I had approved. White chairs arranged in neat rows faced an elegant flower arch where Alexander waited. A string

as the music changed. Dad squeezed my arm reassuringly as we began

in their depths. For a moment, the rest of the world fell away, and it was just the two

sky above us. All I could see was

gives this woman to be married?” the

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my hand in Alexander’s.

warm and steady. “You look incredible,”

surprised by

a dream. We exchanged vows we’d written together, beautiful promises that sounded sincere enough to convince everyone present but vague enough that we weren’t actually lying. The ring

earlier that week.

now pronounce you husband and wife,” the officiant declared.

leaned in. We’d kissed before, of course, quick pecks for the benefit of family or

then with increasing pressure. His 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

a genuine smile that reached his eyes, and

announced, “I present to you Mr. and Mrs.

and I was struck by the sea of smiling faces. My family, his family, colleagues, and friends all believed in this perfect love story. I spotted Emilia wiping away

aisle, Alexander

name sent a shiver