The CEO's Contractual Wife

Chapter 199

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.

and draped it over my shoulders before I could protest.

pulling it tighter

first, and neither of us was ready to return to the hotel. The streets of London were alive with evening activity. People spilled out of pubs and restaurants, their laughter echoing off the historic buildings.

going?” I asked

“Just walking. Unless you want

I said quickly. “Walking

found mine,

architecture more ornate.

beautiful,” I said, breaking the silence.

agreed. “Every building has a story. Some

centuries.”

“Tell me one.”

“One what?”

About one of

“See that one?” He pointed to a narrow townhouse with ivy climbing its brick

“Really?”

have

my lingering

“I prefer creative.”

riot. A bookshop was supposedly haunted by

said, looking pleased with

“What is?”

been missing since

water was dark and smooth, reflecting the lights of the city. Boats glided

wasn’t that bad,” I

ready to stab Sophie with

“I was not!”

my back. “You got that look in your eyes. The one you get

have a

It’s

making

jealous,” he said, his voice dropping to something softer,

clenched. “I’m not

“Then what are you?”

“She was disrespectful. To both of

“But that’s not what bothered you

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