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

wasn’t a lie; Alexander had arranged for the best cardiologist to treat my father,

announced, poking

offered his arm.

deep breath and nodded, not

as Alexander and I had planned, or rather, as Alexander had planned and I had approved. White chairs arranged in neat rows faced an

my turn. All eyes turned to me as the music changed. Dad squeezed my arm reassuringly

his custom tuxedo. His eyes locked with mine, something unreadable in their depths.

registered the guests, the flowers, or the perfect blue sky above us. All I could see was

to be married?” the officiant

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my hand in Alexander’s.

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

you,” I replied, surprised by the breathlessness in my

actually lying. The ring Alexander slid onto my finger was a stunning platinum band set with diamonds. “Worthy

earlier that week.

husband and wife,” the officiant declared. “You may

before, of course, quick pecks for the benefit of family or cameras. But this was different. This was

and 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

gentlemen,” the officiant announced, “I

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

Alexander leaned close. “You’re doing great,

The name sent a