The CEO Takes a Wife(43)

She must have sensed his thoughts. “Alex, again, I’m so sorry I accused your father of it.”

He had to be fair. “It’s not such a far-fetched conclusion,” he admitted. “Who knows what he would’ve done if I’d told him before the papers got hold of the story?”#p#分页标题#e#

Or before he’d told his father he loved her.

“Let’s give him the benefit of the doubt,” she suggested, making him love her all the more for her generous nature.

Right then, he caught something out of the corner of his eye. Turning to look, he saw two suitcases down by the bureau. The breath seemed to leave his body. “What the hell?”

Regret filled her eyes and she straightened her shoulders. “I thought it only fair I wait to speak to you.”

His heart began to sink. “Wait?”

“I’m releasing you from our agreement, Alex.”

He swore. “What are you saying?”

“I’m offering you a divorce.”

His head reeled back. “Who said I want a divorce?”

Her blue eyes shimmered with sudden tears, but she blinked them away. “I don’t want you feeling responsible for me anymore. I don’t want you staying with me out of pity.”

“Who the hell said I’m staying with you out of pity?” he grated, his gut clenching and unclenching.

She took a shaky breath. “Accept it, Alex. This is the way it has to be.”

“No.” His chest tightened with emotion. How could she even think about divorce? Didn’t she know he loved her?

Oh Lord. No, she didn’t know that. How could she? He’d never told her of his feelings.

He opened his mouth, then as quickly shut it again. She’d never told him of her feelings either. To tell her he loved her, he had to know that her love would meet him halfway. He didn’t know that with Olivia.

In fact, he knew she didn’t love him. That was the one thing he would have sensed. A woman in love wouldn’t even think about divorce…about walking away from her husband. A woman in love would sacrifice herself for…

His heart jolted.

Wasn’t she sacrificing herself right now by releasing him from their agreement? Could she actually love him? The thought of it captivated him, just as her beauty did. If that were the case he had to tell her, had to let her know. If she were afraid of love he’d help her through it.

“I love you, Olivia.”

She went perfectly still. “Wh-what?”

“I love you, darling. You can’t leave me.”

Olivia fumbled for words as she looked at Alex. They were words she longed to hear. Words she dare not consider. “But I can’t give you a child.”

His gray eyes softened. “I didn’t marry you for an heir. I married you for my father’s sake and for the sake of my family’s company.” He paused. “And then I fell in love with you. You are everything I’ve ever wanted, ever needed. I don’t want anything more than you.”

Her chest tightened with emotion. “Oh, Alex,” she whispered. If only she could believe it didn’t matter. But she knew it did.

“Do you love me, too, Olivia?”

She hesitated. “Family is important to you,” she said, ignoring his question. “To both of us. I—”

“Do you love me, Olivia?” his words cut across hers, a muscle ticking in the side of his cheek, making her realize he wouldn’t give up until he knew.

“Yes, I do, but—”

“No buts.”

Oh God. She couldn’t let him fool himself. “No, Alex. I would always feel like I’ve cheated you by not giving you a child.”

“No,” he ground out. “Absolutely not.”

“But your father…your brothers’ inheritance…”#p#分页标题#e#

He stepped up to her and cupped her face with his palms. “Look me in the eyes, Olivia. Look deep and see my love. It’s for you, for the person you are right now, the woman I fell in love with. Unlike our marriage pact, that love is unconditional. It has nothing to do with anyone else.”

“Alex, I…” She hesitated, choking up, tears springing into her eyes.

“Darling, I’m asking you to trust me totally this time. Trust that I love you. Trust that you are enough for me and always will be.”

It was that word—trust—that tipped the balance. All this time she’d been learning to trust him, but it was only bit by bit, no matter how much she fooled herself. Now she knew deep in her heart that she did trust him, fully, utterly, believably. She trusted what he said and the man he was.

“Yes,” she said, swaying toward him. “I trust you, Alex. I love you with all my heart.”