The CEO's Contractual Wife (Olivia and Ryan) novel Chapter 73

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Chapter 73

Olivia

I kissed her cheek and headed to the living room, where Dad reclined in his armchair with the remote in hand. He looked better than the last time I’d seen him, less pale and more alert. The surgery had worked wonders, even if the recovery was slow.

“Hey, Dad.”

He turned, his face breaking into a smile. “Liv! This is a nice surprise.”

“Not a surprise. I told Mom I was coming.”

“Well, she didn’t tell me.” He patted the couch beside his chair. “Sit. Tell me about your day.”

“Work was work. Nothing exciting.”

Dad’s eyes crinkled at the corners. “That’s good. Boring is better than drama.”

“How about you? Are you feeling better?” I handed him the bakery box, which he accepted with exaggerated reverence.

“Much better. Doc says I’m healing right on schedule.” He peeked inside the box, his face lighting up. “You’re my favorite daughter.”

“I’m your only daughter.”

“Still counts.” He winked, then his expression turned sly. “So how’s that boyfriend of yours? Alexander?”

I fidgeted with my watch strap. “He’s good.”

“Just good? The man who swooped in like Prince Charming at the hospital is just ‘good“?” Dad raised an eyebrow.

“Fine. He’s great. Busy with work, you know how it is.” I shifted uncomfortably, desperate to change the subject.

Mom bustled in with a tray of mugs. “Coffee’s ready. And I’ve put those lovely pastries on plates.”

“You didn’t have to do that,” I said, reaching for a mug. “I would’ve helped.”

“Nonsense. You work all day.” She settled into her favorite armchair. “Besides, your father’s been driving me crazy all afternoon. I needed the kitchen break.”

Dad looked offended. “I’ve been a model patient.”

“A model complainer, maybe.” Mom took a sip of her coffee. “He wanted bacon for breakfast. Bacon! After heart surgery!”

“It was turkey bacon,” Dad grumbled.

I laughed, feeling the tension of the day melting away. This was what I needed: the familiar rhythm of my parents‘ bickering,

the comfort of home.

“So,” Mom said, passing me a plate with a chocolate croissant, “Alexander seemed very attentive at the hospital.”

Not this again. “He was being nice.”

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“Nice,” Dad repeated, looking unconvinced. ‘Is that what the kids call it these days?”

Mom smacked his arm lightly. “Stop teasing her.”

“I’m not teasing. I’m gathering intelligence.” He leaned forward. “What are his intentions, Liv? Because he looks at you like you’re the answer to a question he’s been asking his whole life.”

I nearly choked on my pastry. “Dad! He does not.”

“Does too. I may be old, but I’m not blind.”

“You’re not old,” Mom and I said in unison.

“And you’re changing the subject,” Dad added triumphantly.

I sighed. “There’s nothing to tell. We’re… taking things slow.”

This wasn’t entirely a lie. Our fake relationship was progressing at a carefully choreographed pace, exactly as outlined in Alexander’s meticulous contract.

“Smart,” Dad nodded approvingly. “Get to know each other first. None of this rushing into things like kids today.”

Mom snorted. “You proposed to me after three months.”

“Best decision I ever made,” he countered smoothly.

“Nice save,” I murmured into my coffee.

Dad turned his attention back to me. “Just be careful, Liv. Men like Alexander Carter are used to getting what they want.”

“Trust me, I know.” More than you could possibly imagine.

“And what do you want?” Mom asked softly.

The question caught me off guard. What did I want? Financial security for my family – check. Career advancement – probably check, thanks to Alexander’s influence. But beyond that?

“I want…” I paused, realizing I hadn’t really thought about it. “I want to be happy.”

Dad reached over and squeezed my hand. “That’s all we want for you, too, sweetheart.”

An uncomfortable lump formed in my throat. They had no idea what I’d agreed to, what I was doing. The deception felt heavier than ever.

“Enough about me,” I said brightly, forcing a smile. “Tell me about your new medication. Any side effects?”

Dad launched into a detailed account of his pill regimen, complete with dramatic reenactments of how each one made him feel. Mom rolled her eyes behind his back, making me giggle.

“And this blue one,” Dad held up an imaginary pill, “makes me pee like a racehorse.”

“David!” Mom exclaimed. “We’re eating!”

“What? It’s natural. Everyone pees.”

“Not everyone discusses it over pastries.”

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Chapter 73

I laughed so hard I snorted coffee up my nose, which only made us all laugh harder. It felt good, this moment of normalcy in the midst of my increasingly complicated life.

“Oh!” Mom suddenly remembered something. “Nicholas called earlier. He’s coming for dinner on Sunday and wanted to know if you’d join us.”

“I’ll check my calendar,” I said, mentally reviewing my weekend commitments. Alexander hadn’t mentioned any plans, but that didn’t mean he wouldn’t spring something on me at the last minute.

“Bring Alexander,” Dad suggested. “I’d like to get to know him better.”

“Um, I’ll ask him. He’s pretty busy with work stuff.”

“Too busy for dinner with his girlfriend’s family?” Dad raised an eyebrow.

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