BOUND TO THE BILLIONAIRE BY CONTRACT

FAMILY FEELS DIFFERENT

Chapter 12 – Family Feels Different

Three days had passed since Ethan and Olivia's wedding. Carter Manor no longer felt unfamiliar to Olivia. Every morning she greeted the staff with a warm smile, shared breakfast with William and Ethan, and spent part of her afternoons learning how to manage the responsibilities that came with being Mrs. Carter. Though the mansion was enormous, it was slowly beginning to feel like home.

That Saturday morning, Olivia stood in the kitchen carefully arranging fresh fruit into a basket.

Anna, one of the maids, smiled as she watched.

"Mrs. Carter, you've been smiling all morning."

Olivia laughed softly.

"Have I?"

"I think you're excited."

She nodded.

"I am. Mason is finally being discharged today."

"I'm sure he'll be happy to see you."

"And I'm sure he'll be happier to leave the hospital."

Both women laughed.

Just then, Ethan walked into the kitchen dressed casually in a navy polo shirt and black trousers. Without his usual business suit, he looked much younger and far less intimidating.

Olivia looked up.

"Good morning."

"Morning."

He noticed the fruit basket.

"What's all this?"

"I thought we'd take something for Mason."

Ethan looked at the basket before giving a small nod.

"He'll like that."

William entered the kitchen moments later, carrying his morning newspaper.

"So today's the big day."

Olivia smiled brightly.

"The doctors said he's healthy enough to go home."

William placed a gentle hand on her shoulder.

"I'm happy for both of you."

Ethan checked his watch.

"We should leave soon."

Olivia looked at him.

"You don't have to come."

"I know."

"You have work."

"I canceled it."

She blinked.

"You canceled another meeting?"

"It wasn't important."

William raised an eyebrow, hiding a smile behind his newspaper.

His grandson had canceled work twice in one week.

That had never happened before.

The drive to the hospital was peaceful. Olivia looked out the window while Ethan quietly answered a few emails on his tablet. Every now and then, she caught herself glancing at him.

"You work even in the car?"

He didn't look up.

"I don't like unfinished work."

She smiled.

"I think you secretly enjoy being busy."

He finally looked at her.

"Maybe."

She laughed.

"I knew it."

When they arrived at the hospital, several nurses immediately recognized Ethan and Olivia.

"Congratulations on your wedding, Mr. and Mrs. Carter."

"Thank you," Olivia replied warmly.

One of the younger nurses smiled shyly.

"You looked beautiful in the wedding photos."

Olivia blushed.

"That's very kind of you."

The nurse looked at Ethan.

"Sir, everyone has been talking about how handsome you looked too."

Ethan simply nodded.

"Thank you."

Olivia couldn't help smiling.

"You're getting compliments now."

"I noticed."

"You don't seem embarrassed."

"I've had years of practice."

She laughed again.

The sound made Ethan glance at her.

He was beginning to realize he liked hearing her laugh.

It made everything around him seem... lighter.

When they entered Mason's room, they found him already dressed and sitting on the edge of the bed.

The moment he saw them, his face lit up.

"Olivia!"

She hurried over and hugged him tightly.

"I've missed you."

"I've missed you too."

Mason looked past her at Ethan.

"Brother-in-law."

Olivia immediately pulled back.

"Mason!"

"What?"

He grinned mischievously.

"That's what he is now."

Olivia covered her face in embarrassment.

"You don't have to say it like that."

Mason laughed before turning to Ethan.

"Can I call you that?"

Ethan looked at the hopeful young man.

"If that's what you want."

Mason smiled broadly.

"Thanks, brother-in-law."

Olivia groaned softly.

"I don't think I'm surviving today."

Even Ethan couldn't stop the faint smile that appeared on his face.

The doctor entered carrying Mason's discharge papers.

"Everything looks excellent."

He handed the file to Olivia.

"Just make sure he avoids heavy activity for a few weeks."

"I will."

The doctor turned toward Ethan.

"And thank you again, Mr. Carter. Without your generosity, this surgery wouldn't have been possible."

Ethan shook his head.

"The credit belongs to the medical team."

The doctor smiled.

"Not many people with your wealth remain this humble."

After the doctor left, Mason quietly looked at Ethan.

"Can I ask you something?"

"You can."

"Will you take good care of my sister?"

The room suddenly became quiet.

Olivia looked at Mason, surprised by the question.

Ethan met the young boy's eyes.

There wasn't even a second of hesitation.

"Yes."

His answer was calm.

Simple.

Certain.

Mason smiled with relief.

"That's all I wanted to know."

Olivia felt her heart warm.

For the first time since signing the contract

Ethan's promise didn't sound like something written on paper

It sounded real

Mason's words lingered in the room long after Ethan answered. Olivia looked at Ethan, searching his face for some sign that he had only replied out of obligation. Instead, his expression remained calm and sincere.

She lowered her eyes, unable to explain why his simple promise affected her so deeply.

A nurse entered with a wheelchair.

"Mr. Reed, are you ready to go home?"

Mason laughed.

"I've been ready for three days."

Everyone smiled.

Olivia helped him into the wheelchair while Ethan carried the small bag containing Mason's belongings.

As they walked through the hospital corridors, nurses and doctors greeted Ethan and Olivia warmly.

"Congratulations again on your marriage."

"You make a lovely couple."

Olivia thanked each of them with a smile while Ethan acknowledged them with a polite nod.

When they reached the hospital entrance, Daniel was already waiting beside the Rolls-Royce.

He opened the rear door.

"Everything is ready, sir."

Mason's eyes widened when he saw the luxury car.

"I've never been inside one of these."

Olivia laughed.

"Then today is your lucky day."

Ethan looked at Mason.

"You can sit by the window."

"Really?"

Ethan nodded once.

Mason climbed into the car with a grin that stretched from ear to ear.

"This is amazing."

During the drive, Mason couldn't stop looking out the window.

"So... this is what rich people ride in every day."

Olivia smiled.

"You'll get spoiled if you're not careful."

"I don't mind."

Even Ethan let out a quiet chuckle.

Daniel caught the sound through the rearview mirror and smiled to himself.

It was becoming more common.

By the time they reached Mason's apartment building, the afternoon sun was shining brightly.

Olivia helped her brother upstairs while Ethan carried the luggage without a word.

Mason unlocked the apartment door.

The small home looked exactly as they had left it.

Although simple, it was neat and filled with family photographs.

Ethan paused in front of one picture.

It showed a much younger Olivia standing beside Mason and their parents, all smiling brightly.

"You look happy here," he said quietly.

Olivia walked over.

"It was taken before my parents passed away."

She gently touched the frame.

"My father insisted on taking family photos every birthday."

Ethan remained silent.

He had lost his mother at a young age.

He understood that kind of emptiness better than most people realized.

Mason suddenly cleared his throat.

"Brother-in-law."

Olivia sighed dramatically.

"You're enjoying this too much."

"I really am."

He looked at Ethan.

"Can you stay for lunch?"

Olivia immediately interrupted.

"You don't have to. I'm sure you're busy."

Ethan looked around the small apartment before answering.

"I can stay."

Mason smiled triumphantly.

"I knew you'd say yes."

Olivia rolled up her sleeves.

"I'll cook."

"I'll help," Mason said.

She pointed at him.

"No."

"The doctor said you need to rest."

He pouted.

"Fine."

While Olivia prepared lunch in the tiny kitchen, Ethan stood awkwardly nearby.

She looked over her shoulder.

"You can sit down."

"I'm not good at sitting while someone else works."

She smiled mischievously.

"Then wash the vegetables."

Ethan stared at her.

"You want me to?"

"Unless the billionaire CEO is afraid of lettuce."

For the first time in years, someone had challenged him over something so ordinary.

Without another word, he picked up the vegetables and began washing them.

Olivia couldn't hide her smile.

"I didn't think you'd actually do it."

"You asked."

"I expected you to refuse."

"I rarely refuse reasonable requests."

She laughed softly.

"You're full of surprises."

From the living room, Mason secretly watched them.

He smiled to himself.

They looked comfortable together.

Not like two strangers tied together by an agreement.

But like a real husband and wife.

Half an hour later, the three of them sat around the small dining table eating homemade pasta.

Mason took one bite before pointing his fork toward Ethan.

"So..."

Ethan looked up.

"So?"

"Who's the better cook?"

Olivia covered her face.

"Mason."

"What?"

"I'm just asking."

Ethan looked at Olivia before answering honestly.

"Your sister."

Mason grinned.

"I knew it."

Olivia laughed.

"You've only eaten my cooking twice."

"Twice was enough."

The apartment filled with laughter.

Outside the window, the afternoon breeze gently moved the curtains while warm sunlight spilled across the table.

For the first time in a very long time, Ethan realized he couldn't remember the last meal that felt this peaceful.

There were no business discussions.

No contracts.

No board meetings.

Only simple food, genuine laughter, and people who enjoyed each other's company.

As they prepared to leave later that afternoon, Mason hugged Olivia tightly.

Then he turned to Ethan.

"Thank you... for everything."

Ethan placed a reassuring hand on the young man's shoulder.

"You don't need to thank me."

"I do."

Mason smiled.

"Take care of my sister."

Ethan glanced at Olivia before answering.

"I intend to."

Olivia looked away quickly, hiding the blush that warmed her cheeks.

As the Rolls-Royce drove back toward Carter Manor, neither Ethan nor Olivia spoke.

The silence between them wasn't uncomfortable.

It was peaceful.

For the first time since their contract marriage had begun, they both found themselves thinking the same unexpected thought.

Maybe coming home together wasn't such a bad feeling after all.