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 without

over me. At least that part wasn’t a lie; Alexander had arranged for the best cardiologist to treat my father, potentially saving

the wedding planner announced, poking her head into

offered his arm.

deep breath and nodded, not trusting

planned and I had approved. White chairs arranged in neat rows faced an elegant flower arch where Alexander waited. A string quartet played

turn. All eyes turned to me as the music

something unreadable in their depths. For a moment, the

or the perfect blue sky above us. All I could

married?” the officiant asked when we reached the

1/3

my hand in Alexander’s.

mine, warm and steady. “You look

replied, surprised by the breathlessness in

like 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 Alexander slid onto my finger was a stunning platinum band set with diamonds. “Worthy of a Carter,” he’d explained when he’d shown

earlier that week.

husband and wife,” the officiant

We’d kissed before, of course, quick pecks for the benefit of family or cameras. But this was different. This was our

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

smile that reached his eyes, and squeezed

the officiant announced, “I present to

friends all

back down the aisle, Alexander leaned close.

sent a shiver