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?”

he assured me, patting his chest. “That doctor Alexander found did wonders. I’ll be dancing at your wedding without any

lie; Alexander had arranged for the best

wedding planner announced, poking her head

his

deep breath and nodded, not trusting my

and I 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 quartet played softly

eyes turned to me as the music changed. Dad squeezed my arm reassuringly as we began our

in their depths.

guests, the flowers, or the perfect blue sky above us. All I could see was Alexander, watching me with an intensity that made my heart

the officiant asked when we reached the

1/3

my hand in Alexander’s.

around mine, warm and steady. “You look incredible,” he

surprised by the

present but vague enough that we weren’t actually lying. The ring

earlier that week.

the officiant declared. “You may kiss the

stuttered as Alexander leaned in. We’d kissed before, of course, quick pecks for the benefit of family or cameras. But

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

smiled, a genuine smile that reached his eyes, and squeezed my

officiant announced, “I

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

sent a shiver down