The CEO's Contractual Wife (Olivia and Alexander) novel Chapter 313

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Chapter 313

Chapter 313

Olivia

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“Because it’s in my head.” I crossed my arms, suddenly feeling defensive. “Because if I want to walk out, I have to pay that amount. It’s not like I can just forget about it.”

“But you don’t want to walk out.”

“That’s not the point.”

“It’s exactly the point. You keep bringing it up like it’s some weapon I’m holding over you. But you’re not leaving. We both know it.”

I opened my mouth to argue, then closed it. He was right, and we both knew it. The clause only mattered if I actually wanted to leave.

“Fine,” I said finally. “But knowing it exists doesn’t exactly make me feel warm and fuzzy about this whole situation.”

“It doesn’t exist anymore. Consider it void. You don’t owe me anything if you decide to leave.” Alexander’s expression was serious now, all trace of his earlier smirk gone. “I mean it. No payment required.

“You can’t just decide that.”

“I absolutely can. It’s my contract.”

I shook my head slowly. “This is because you think I won’t leave. You’re only saying this because you’re confident I’ll stay.”

“Of course I’m confident you’ll stay.” He leaned closer. “Because despite all the drama, despite Victoria and the gossip and the complications, you’re invested in this. Same as me.”

My cheeks flushed. “You’re awfully sure of yourself.”

“I am when it comes to you.”

The certainty in his voice made my heart skip. I forced myself to focus on practical matters rather than on the way he was looking at me.

“What about the company I want to start?” I asked, changing direction. “You still think I should do it?”

‘Absolutely. Alexander shifted on the bed, getting more comfortable. “Build something that’s completely yours. I meant what I said earlier. If you need help, resources, or capital beyond what you already have, I’ll provide it. But if you want to do it solo, that’s your choice.”

“And the contract?”

“What about it?”

“You keep saying forget the contract. Be real. But we’ve been doing this dance for months now.” I met his eyes. “You said something similar in the Caymans when you’d had too much to drink. I figured you didn’t mean it.”

“I meant every word I said to you there. About forgetting the contract. About making this real.”

My breath caught. “Real as in…?”

“Real as in not pretending anymore. Not playing roles for Grandfather or the board or anyone else. Just us, figuring out what

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Chapter 313

we actually are.”

“That’s a big shift from ‘this is a business arrangement.“”

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“Things change. People change.” He stood, moving to the window. “When I first proposed this deal, I thought it would be simple. You’d play wife, I’d secure my inheritance, and everyone would win. But somewhere along the way, it stopped being simple. Because you’re smart and fierce and you call me on my bullshit. Because family dinners are less tedious with you there. Because I actually look forward to coming home instead of dreading it.”

My chest tightened. “Alex…”

“I’m not asking you to make any decisions tonight. I’m just telling you where I stand.” He crossed back to the bed, sitting beside me. “The contract doesn’t matter anymore. Not to me. Whether you stay or go, whether you start your company or focus on Carter Enterprises, whatever you decide, I’m here. Supporting you. Not because of some legal obligation, but because I want to.”

I stared at him, trying to process this shift. “You’re saying you want this to be real?”

“I’m saying it already is real. We’ve just been too stubborn to admit it.”

“Speak for yourself. I’m not stubborn.”

He laughed. “You’re the most stubborn person I’ve ever met. It’s one of your best qualities.”

“That’s a weird compliment.”

“I specialize in weird compliments.”

A laugh bubbled out of me despite everything. I looked at him, really looked at him, seeing past the corporate armor to the man underneath. The one who funded pediatric research centers without bragging. Who made me breakfast after fights. Who looked at me like I mattered.

“Yes,” I heard myself say.

His eyebrows rose. “Yes?”

“Yes.” I reached for him, my fingers curling into his shirt, pulling him closer. “Whatever you’re asking, the answer is yes.”

Alexander’s hands came up to frame my face, his thumbs brushing my cheekbones. “You understand what this means? If you accept, then you’re my wife. Not because of some contract or arrangement. You’re stuck in this marriage forever. With

1. me.

My heart hammered against my ribs. This was it. The moment everything changed or stayed exactly the same,

“Define forever,” I whispered.

“For as long as we’re both breathing.” His voice dropped lower, rougher, “For as long as you’ll have me. No exit clauses. No termination fees. Just us.”

“That’s a long time.”

“Better be. His lips quirked. “I’m a demanding husband.”

I rose on my toes, closing the distance between us. My mouth found his, soft at first, then deeper. Tasting him. Claiming

him.

When we broke apart, I was breathless.

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Chapter 318

“Yes” said against his lips, Tm stuck with you. Forever

Sun again

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Tm yours.” The words felt right, settling into place like pieces of a puzzle I hadn’t known was incomplete. “No contracts. No arrangements Just this

Alexander’s arms came around me, pulling me flush against him. “Mine.”

Possessive much?

You have no idea. His mouth found my neck, teeth grazing the sensitive skin there. “Been mine since that first night. Just took us both a while to admit it.”

Awfully confident, Mr. Carter

Yeah, I am. Because you feel it too. This thing between us.”

I couldn’t argue with that. Didn’t want to.

“What about the money?” The practical question slipped out. “The contract?”

“Forget the contract. Forget the money. He pulled back enough to look me in the eyes. “I want you. Not because Grandfather’s forcing my hand. Not because of some business arrangement. Just you.”

That simple?”

“That simple. His hands slid down my back, settling at my waist. “Though nothing about you has ever been simple.”

Is that a complaint?”

“Observation.” He kissed me again, slower this time. “You drive me crazy, Challenge everything. Make me work for it.”

“Good.” I threaded my fingers through his hair. “Keep you sharp.”

“Keep me interested, you mean.”

“That too.

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