The CEO's Contractual Wife

Chapter 198

Olivia

“Alex?” she purred, tilting her head as her perfectly glossed lips curved into a smile. “Is that really you? I almost didn’t recognize you in this… quaint little establishment.”

Alexander stiffened, his jaw tightening for a fraction of a second before his polite mask slid into place. He turned to face her, his expression carefully neutral.

“Sophie,” he acknowledged, his tone flat.

“It is you!” She laughed, a tinkling sound that grated on my nerves. “God, how long has it been? Two years? Three?” Her hand landed on his shoulder, fingers trailing down his bicep in a way that was far too familiar. “You look absolutely delicious, as always.”

I felt my spine straighten, my grip tightening on my fork. Who the hell was this woman, and why was she touching my husband like she had every right to?

“It’s been a while,” Alexander replied, pointedly shifting away from her touch. “Sophie, this is Olivia. My wife.”

The word “wife” hung in the air between us like a grenade. Sophie’s eyes widened for a split second before she turned to me. Her smile never wavered, but her eyes were calculating as they swept over me from head to toe.

“Wife?” She let out another laugh, this one with a sharp edge. “Well, isn’t that unexpected. I had no idea you’d finally settled down, Alex.”

“It’s Alexander,” he corrected, his voice cool. “And yes, we got married recently.”

Sophie’s gaze lingered on me, taking in my fish, chips, and half-empty pint of Guinness with barely concealed

amusement.

“How… charming,” she said, though her tone suggested she found it anything but. “It’s lovely to meet you, Olivia. I’m Sophie Hartwell. Alex and I used to know each other quite well.”

The emphasis on “quite well” made her meaning crystal clear. This was an ex. Or at least a former hookup.

voice pleasant despite wanting to dump my beer over her perfectly styled

tell me, Alex, what brings you to London? Business or pleasure?” Her hand found his arm again, fingers walking up toward his shoulder. “Or

firmly this time. “And it’s a

remember how seriously you take your work.” Her voice dropped to a sultry purr. “Almost as seriously as you

stab her

patience clearly wearing thin, “we’re in

was really you. You look incredible. That suit fits you perfectly. Have you been working out more? Your shoulders

replied, his tone clipped.

over him appreciatively, completely ignoring my presence. “You know,

designer clutch and pulled out a business card, pressing it into Alexander’s hand. Her fingers lingered against his palm

she probably thought

said flatly, attempting to hand the

I’m not suggesting anything inappropriate. Just two

me briefly, challenge glinting in

“his wife would mind very

a fraction of a second. “Your honeymoon? In a pub, eating

smile with one of

Her

narrowed slightly. “How…

volley, a tall man in an expensive

British accent crisp. “I’ve been waiting

across her

an old

shot up. Her husband? She’d been throwing herself

outside?

Gerald with considerably more warmth than

Carter,” he corrected once more, shaking Gerald’s hand. “Nice to meet