The CEO's Contractual Wife

Chapter 199

Olivia

“You’re quiet,” Alexander observed, watching me with those perceptive eyes that always seemed to see too

much.

“Just enjoying my fish,” I lied, stabbing at the golden batter with more force than necessary.

“Liv.”

“What?”

“You’re massacring your dinner.”

I looked down at my plate, where I’d reduced the perfectly crispy fish to shreds. “I’m just hungry.”

Alexander reached across the table, his hand covering mine. “She means nothing to me. That night was years ago and completely forgettable.”

“Didn’t seem forgettable to her,” I muttered, then immediately regretted it. I sounded petty and jealous, which was ridiculous because we had an arrangement. A business deal. His past hookups were none of my concern.

“Sophie has always had trouble accepting that not everyone falls at her feet,” Alexander said dryly. “Her husband is evidence of that. She collected him like a trophy and treats him like furniture.”

“She’s married and still throws herself at other men?” I asked, genuinely appalled.

“Some people view marriage as a social status rather than a commitment.”

Unlike us, I wanted to say. We’re doing this for business reasons but at least we’re honest about it. Except I couldn’t say that out loud in a crowded pub where anyone might overhear.

“Eat,” Alexander urged, gesturing to my demolished fish. “Before you reduce it to paste.”

I managed a small smile and took an actual bite this time. The fish was delicious, crispy on the outside and flaky on the inside, exactly as he’d promised. But the encounter with Sophie had soured my appetite.

We finished our meal in relative silence, the easy banter from earlier replaced by something heavier. Alexander kept glancing at me like he wanted to say something, but thought better of it. When the waitress brought the check, he paid quickly and stood.

“Come on,” he said, offering his hand. “Let’s get out of here.”

Outside, the evening air had cooled considerably. I wrapped my arms around myself, wishing I’d brought a warmer jacket.

suit jacket and draped it over my shoulders before I could protest. The fabric carried his warmth and

pulling it tighter

People spilled out of pubs and restaurants, their laughter echoing off the historic buildings. Street performers played music on corners, and their cases

are we going?” I asked

replied. “Just walking. Unless you want

quickly.

found mine, fingers interlacing

main thoroughfares. The buildings here were older, their architecture more ornate. Gas lamps

is beautiful,” I said, breaking the

building has a story. Some of these

centuries.”

“Tell me one.”

“One what?”

About one

one?” He pointed to a narrow townhouse with ivy climbing its brick facade. “That’s

“Really?”

have no idea. But it sounds

despite my lingering bad mood. “You’re

“I prefer creative.”

became the site of a Victorian bread riot. A bookshop was supposedly haunted by the ghost

Alexander said, looking pleased with himself. “That’s

“What is?”

It’s been missing

river. The water was dark and smooth, reflecting the lights of the city. Boats glided past, their wake creating ripples that distorted the

that bad,” I protested

stab

“I was not!”

He stepped closer, his chest brushing my back. “You got that look in

don’t have a

do. It’s terrifying

making him

you’re jealous,” he said, his voice dropping to something

clenched. “I’m

“Then what are you?”

which wasn’t entirely a lie. “She was

that’s not what bothered