The CEO's Contractual Wife

Chapter 123

Olivia

After a quick lunch with my parents, I headed to the estate, anxious to see how my belongings would look in my new home. The gates swung open as the car approached, and I felt a strange mix of excitement and trepidation. This was really my life

now.

Alfred met me at the door, his expression as impassive as ever. “Mrs. Carter, the movers have delivered your items. I’ve directed them to place the boxes in the designated areas as Mr. Carter instructed.”

“Thank you, Alfred,” I said, still uncomfortable with being waited on. “I can take it from here.”

“Very good, ma’am. Chef will serve dinner at seven, unless you’d prefer a different time?”

“Seven is fine,” I assured him, already heading for the stairs. “I’ll just start unpacking.”

I found my clothes already hanging in the enormous walk–in closet, taking up maybe a tenth of the available space. My books had been arranged on shelves in the library, and my toiletries were placed neatly in the bathroom cabinets. It was like magic, if magic were performed by highly efficient moving professionals.

The only boxes left untouched were the ones containing my personal items, which had been placed discreetly in the corner of the bedroom. I spent the afternoon arranging photos and keepsakes to make the massive space feel more like mine.

By six, I was showered and changed, wandering through the house that was now supposedly my home. It still felt surreal, like I was playing house in someone else’s life.

My phone buzzed with a text from Alexander: Running late. Start dinner without me. Miss you.

The unexpected sentiment made me smile. I replied: Your loss. I’ll eat all the good parts.

His response came quickly: Save room for dessert. I have plans for you later.

My body responded instantly to his suggestive tone, remembering exactly what kind of “dessert” he’d given me last night.

Dinner was a solitary affair in the massive dining room, though Chef Marcelo’s food was exceptional as always. I was just finishing when I heard the front door open and Alexander’s voice echoing through the foyer.

“Liv?” he called, his footsteps approaching the dining room.

“In here,” I replied, taking a final bite of the chocolate soufflé that had appeared as if by magic after my main course.

He loosened his tie as he approached, bending to

he asked, stealing a

to your army

laughed. “They’re the best in the

the closet, looking pathetically inadequate next to your

had nothing

1/2

7:58 pm P

Chapter 123

tried to sound casual, though my pulse had already

car. “The kind that involves

breath caught. “Confident, aren’t

his hand sliding along my thigh under the table. “Very, very

pushed my chair back, standing up with a boldness that surprised even me. “Then what are

have no idea what you’re

followed willingly, his grip on my hand tightening as we climbed the stairs to our bedroom. Our bedroom, in our home. Morning arrived with sunlight streaming through the bedroom windows. I blinked, momentarily disoriented by

me, scrolling through emails on his

stretching my arms above

a slow smile spreading across his face. “Good

rock,” I

me. “We should get up. We

I protested, snuggling deeper under

nine.” He planted a quick kiss on my forehead before sliding out

“Fine. But I want

don’t have instant coffee in this

tailored navy suit, while I’d opted for a cream blouse

of the staircase, holding a tray with two travel

I said, taking the mug. The smell alone was enough to make

checked his watch.

the recessed lighting. He