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.

organized the preliminary sketches from Ava

accepted

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Chapter 133

work, losing myself in Ava’s elegant concept boards. She’d captured exactly what I’d envisioned: a perfect blend of heritage luxury

flashed on

could he possibly want? It had been months since I’d caught him with Sophia. Months since I’d ended our relationship on the spot. Weeks

my hand. After a moment’s hesitation, I hit decline and

seconds later, it

my contacts, finger hovering over the block button

I need to talk

it is,

Just 15 minutes.

say

i

turned back to my computer. The Thompson project needed my

of productive work later, my phone buzzed again. I ignored it.

fishing it out. Three new messages

I won’t

important.

I’ll come to you. Just name the

urgent? Ryan and I were done. Completely, utterly finished. I’d moved on. I was married now,

curiosity gnawed at me. And honestly, maybe a part of me wanted him to see exactly how well I was doing without

across from CE. 1 PM. I have

you. I’ll be

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

in knots, which was ridiculous. I had nothing to be nervous about. I was a Carter now.

lunch crowd. I spotted an empty table in the corner and claimed it,

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the Cafe until they found me, and

the same, with slightly long hair and the familiar stubble on his jaw. He

the seat across from me. “Thanks for meeting

Olivia,” I corrected. “And you have

“Can I get you a coffee