The CEO's Contractual Wife

Chapter 133

Olivia

I inhaled deeply, letting the earthy aroma fill my senses before taking a bite.

“Oh my god,” I moaned, eyes closing involuntarily. “This is incredible.”

Alexander watched me with amusement. “I take it you approve?”

“I might need a moment alone with this food,” I joked, taking another bite. “What is this exactly?”

“Risotto with black truffles and a hint of aged parmesan.” He took a bite himself, nodding appreciatively. “The chef here imports the truffles directly from Italy.”

“Of course he does.” I rolled my eyes playfully. “Do you ever do anything that isn’t ridiculously extravagant?”

“I married you, didn’t I?” Alexander quipped, his eyes sparkling with mischief.

“Are you calling me cheap, Mr. Carter?” I gasped in mock offense.

“Not cheap. Priceless.” He leaned forward, his voice dropping. “And that’s exactly why you deserve extravagant things.”

The sincerity in his voice caught me off guard, sending an unexpected flutter through my stomach. I busied myself with another bite of risotto to hide my reaction.

“So,” I said, changing the subject, “what are you working on at the office these days?”

Alexander accepted the pivot gracefully. “Acquiring a tech startup. And expanding our sustainable energy division.”

“That sounds fascinating. Is that why you were so quick to approve of the electric Porsche?”

“Partially,” he admitted. “But mostly I just liked seeing you so excited about it.”

The rest of dinner passed pleasantly, with conversation flowing easily between business topics and more personal discussions.

As we drove home, I found myself stealing glances at Alexander’s profile, illuminated by the passing streetlights. I noticed the strong line of his jaw and the slight curl at the corner of his mouth when he caught me looking.

“What?” he asked finally.

“Nothing,” I replied. “Just… thank you. For dinner. For the car. For everything.”

He reached across the console and took my hand, bringing it to his lips for a brief kiss. “You’re welcome, Liv.”

The office buzzed with energy as I settled at my desk the next morning.

Dylan appeared at my door with his usual impeccable timing, balancing a coffee and a stack of files.

I’ve organized the preliminary sketches from Ava and the

I accepted the

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myself in Ava’s elegant concept boards. She’d captured exactly what I’d envisioned: a perfect blend of heritage luxury with modern, clean aesthetics. I was

flashed on the

stomach tightened as I stared at it. What could he possibly want? It had been months since I’d caught him with Sophia. Months since I’d ended our relationship

phone continued to vibrate in my hand. After a moment’s hesitation, I hit decline and set it down, trying to refocus on the

later,

opened my

Liv. I need to

Whatever it is,

Just 15

to say

i

dropped my phone into my purse with a satisfying thud and turned back to my computer. The Thompson project needed my full attention, not whatever drama Ryan was trying to drag me

productive work later, my phone buzzed again.

I muttered, finally fishing it out.

minutes. I won’t take up more

important. Really

come to you.

fingers on my desk. What could possibly be so urgent? Ryan and I were done. Completely, utterly

honestly, maybe a part of me wanted him to see exactly how well I was doing without

PM. I have a meeting

Thank you. I’ll be

could handle it. This was my chance to show him I had moved on

in knots, which was ridiculous. I had nothing to be

with the lunch crowd. I spotted an empty table in the corner and claimed it, sliding into the chair facing the

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the Cafe until they found me, and

hair and the familiar stubble on his jaw. He wore a button–down shirt I

the seat

I corrected. “And you have

get you a coffee