bChapter /bb133 /b

    Olivia

    I inhaled deeply, letting the earthy aroma fill my senses before taking a bite.

    “Oh my god,” I moaned, eyes closing involuntarily. “This is incredible.”

    Alexander watched me with amusement. “I take it you approve?”

    “I might need a moment alone with this food,” I joked, taking another bite. “What is this exactly?”

    “Risotto with ck truffles and a hint of aged parmesan.” He took a bite himself, nodding appreciatively. “The chef here imports the truffles directly from Italy.”

    “Of course he does.” I rolled my eyes yfully. “Do you ever do anything that isn’t ridiculously extravagant?”

    “I married you, didn’t I?” Alexander quipped, his eyes sparkling with mischief.

    “Are you calling me cheap, Mr. Carter?” I gasped in mock offense.

    “Not cheap. Priceless.” He leaned forward, his voice dropping. “And that’s exactly why you deserve extravagant things.”

    The sincerity in his voice caught me off guard, sending an unexpected flutter through my stomach. I busied myself with another bite of risotto to hide my reaction.

    “So,” I said, changing the subject, “what are you working on at the office these days?”

    Alexander epted the pivot gracefully. “Acquiring a tech startup. And expanding our sustainable energy division.”

    “That sounds fascinating. Is that why you were so quick to approve of the electric Porsche?”

    “Partially,” he admitted. “But mostly I just liked seeing you so excited about it.”

    The rest of dinner passed pleasantly, with conversation flowing easily between business topics and more personal discussions.

    As we drove home, I found myself stealing nces at Alexander’s profile, illuminated by the passing streetlights. I noticed the strong line of his jaw and the slight curl at the corner of his mouth when he caught me looking.

    “What?” he asked finally.

    “Nothing,” I replied. “Just… thank iyou/i. For dinner. For the car. For everything.”

    He reached across the console and took my hand, bringing it to his lips for a brief kiss. “You’re wee, Liv.”

    The office buzzed with energy as I settled at my desk the next morning.

    Dn appeared at my door with his usual impable timing, bncing a coffee and a stack of files.

    “Morning, Mrs. Carter. I’ve organized the preliminary sketches from Ava and the digital strategy notes from Brandon. They’re quite promising.”

    “Thanks, Dn.” I epted the coffee gratefully.

    2.48%2

    I dove into the work, losing myself in Ava’s elegant concept boards. She’d captured exactly what I’d envisioned: a perfect blend of heritage luxury with modern, clean aesthetics. I was jotting notes when my phone buzzed with an iing call.

    Ryan’s name shed on the screen.

    My stomach tightened as I stared at it. What could he possibly want? It had been months since I’d caught ihim /iwith Sophia. Months since I’d ended our rtionship on the spot. Weeks since I’d…married Alexander.

    The phone continued to vibrate in my hand. After a moment’s hesitation, I hit decline and set it down, trying to refocus on the work in front of me.

    Not thirty secondster, it buzzed again. Ryan.

    Irritation red as I declined the call a second time. I opened my contacts, finger hovering over the block button when a text message appeared:

    Ryan: Please, Liv. I need to talk to you. It’s urgent.

    Me: Whatever it is, I’m not interested.

    Ryan: Please. Just 15 minutes. It’s important.

    Me: Nothing you have to say is important to me anymore.

    i

    I dropped my phone into my purse with a satisfying thud and turned back to myputer. The Thompson project needed my full attention, not whatever drama Ryan was trying to drag me into.

    Fifteen minutes of productive workter, my phone buzzed again. I ignored it. Then it buzzed again. And again.

    “For god’s sake,” I muttered, finally fishing it out. Three new messages from Ryan…

    Ryan: Please, Liv, just 15 minutes. I won’t take up more of your time.

    Ryan: It’s important. Really important.

    Ryan: I’lle to you. Just name the ce.

    I drummed my fingers on my desk. What could possibly be iso /iurgent? Ryan and I were done. Completely, utterly finished. I’d moved on. I was married now, for crying out loud.

    But curiosity gnawed at me. And honestly, maybe a part of me wanted him to see exactly how well I was doing without him,

    Me: Fine. 15 minutes. Baker’s Cafe across from CE. 1 PM. I have a meeting at 1:20 so don’t bete.

    Ryan: Thank you. I’ll be there.

    I tossed my phone aside bagain/b, annoyed at myself for giving in. Whatever he wanted, I could handle it. This was my chance to show him I had moved onpletely. The Olivia who would have taken him back after his betrayal was gone,

    At 12:55, I grabbed my purse and headed for the elevator. My stomach was in knots, which was ridiculous. I had nothing to be nervous about. I was a Carter now. I ran a major marketing team.

    When I arrived, Baker’s Cafe was busy with the lunch crowd. I spotted an empty table in the corner and imed it, sliding into the chair facing the door so I could see Ryaning.

    13:09 Tue, 2 SeptA

    日48%會

    At precisely 1:00, he walked in. His eyes scanned the Cafe until they found me, and a strange expression crossed his face, part relief, part something I couldn’t identify.

    He looked the same, with slightly long hair and the familiar stubble on his jaw. He wore a button–down shirt I recognized from our time together.

    “Liv,” he said, sliding into the seat across from me. “Thanks for meeting me.”

    “It’s Olivia,” I corrected. “And you have fourteen minutes left.”

    Ryan winced. “Can I get you a coffee first?”

    “Fine.”

    He went to the counter and returned minutester with two coffees.

    “So,” I said, taking a sip. “What’s so important that you needed to see me?”

    “You look good,” he said instead of answering. “Really good.”

    “Ryan.”

    “Sorry.” He ran a hand through his hair. “I just… how are you? It’s been a while.”

    “I’m great. Busy. Happily married. Now, why am I here?”

    He flinched at the word “married.” “Yeah, about that. It happened pretty fast, didn’t it? One minute you’re single, the next you’re

    married to Alexander Carter.”

    “Is that what you wanted to talk about? My rtionship status?”

    “No, I…” He hesitated. “I’ve been seeing your pictures in the society pages. You and Carter.”

    “And?”

    “And it got me thinking.” Ryan leaned forward. “We were together for years, Liv. I know you. Better than most people.”

    “Clearly not well enough to stay faithful,” I said coolly

    He had the decency to look ashamed. “I deserve that. What I did was unforgivable.”

    “We agree on something.” I nced at my watch. “Ten minutes,”

    Ryan took a deep breath. “Look, I’ve been thinking a lot since… everything. I know I messed up. Badly. And I still care about you, And something doesn’t add up with this Carter thing.”

    My stomach tightened. “What are you talking about?”

    “You dated him for what, a few months? Then suddenly you’re married? That’s not you. You’re cautious. You n everything.”

    “People change,” I said, keeping my voice level. “And when you meet the right person, you know.”

    Ryan looked unconvinced. “So you expect me to believe you fell madly in love with Alexander Carter and rushed into marriage? The Olivia I knew would never do that.”

    i4/4 /i

    13:09 Tue, 2 SeptA

    “Maybe you never really knew me,” I countered.

    “Or maybe this whole thing isn’t what it seems.” Ryan leaned closer, lowering his voice. “Your marriage is fake, right?”

    AD