BOUND TO THE BILLIONAIRE BY CONTRACT

THE FIRST MORNING

Chapter 10 – The First Morning

The morning sunlight slowly crept through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the master suite, filling the room with a soft golden glow. Birds sang in the gardens outside, and for the first time in years, Carter Manor felt unusually peaceful.

Olivia slowly opened her eyes.

For a few seconds, she forgot where she was.

Then she noticed the elegant chandelier above her, the luxurious bedroom, and the wedding ring resting on her finger.

A small smile appeared on her lips.

"I really am Mrs. Carter now," she whispered.

She sat up and glanced toward the connecting door that led to Ethan's room. Everything was quiet. She wondered if he was already awake. Remembering how busy he always was, she quietly got out of bed and freshened up before changing into a simple cream-colored dress. She tied her hair into a loose ponytail and slipped on a pair of comfortable flats.

Looking at herself in the mirror, she laughed softly.

"I'll never get used to this place."

As she stepped into the hallway, she found Mr. Harris already supervising the morning staff.

The elderly butler smiled respectfully.

"Good morning, Mrs. Carter."

"Good morning, Mr. Harris."

"I hope you slept well."

"I did. Thank you."

Just then, the aroma of freshly baked bread drifted through the hallway.

Olivia followed the delicious smell into the enormous kitchen.

More than ten chefs and kitchen assistants were already preparing breakfast.

The moment they saw her, they immediately stopped what they were doing.

"Good morning, Mrs. Carter."

Olivia smiled warmly.

"Good morning, everyone."

The head chef stepped forward.

"Breakfast will be served in thirty minutes."

Olivia looked around the busy kitchen with admiration.

"Everything smells wonderful."

"We only serve the best for the Carter family."

She hesitated before asking politely,

"May I cook something?"

The kitchen suddenly became silent.

The chefs exchanged confused glances.

The head chef blinked.

"Cook... yourself?"

Olivia nodded.

"I've always enjoyed cooking."

The head chef looked horrified.

"Mrs. Carter, if Mr. Carter discovers we allowed you to work in the kitchen, he'll think we failed our duties."

Olivia laughed softly.

"I'm not trying to replace anyone."

She looked around until she spotted a basket filled with fresh strawberries.

"I just want to make something simple."

The head chef still looked uncertain.

Before he could answer, William Carter walked into the kitchen.

"What seems to be the problem?"

Everyone bowed respectfully.

"Good morning, Chairman."

William looked at Olivia.

"What are you planning?"

She smiled shyly.

"I wanted to make breakfast."

William laughed heartily.

"I haven't heard those words in this kitchen for twenty years."

"The last person who insisted on cooking here was my late wife."

Olivia's smile softened.

"I hope you don't mind."

"Mind?"

William smiled warmly.

"I'd be honored."

The head chef finally relaxed.

"If the chairman approves..."

Olivia rolled up the sleeves of her dress and washed her hands.

Soon she was preparing fluffy pancakes topped with fresh strawberries and honey, scrambled eggs with herbs, and freshly squeezed orange juice.

The kitchen staff quietly watched her.

She worked naturally, humming a gentle tune as she cooked.

She thanked the assistants whenever they handed her an ingredient and even cleaned the counter as she worked.

One of the young kitchen assistants whispered,

"She doesn't act like a billionaire's wife."

Another smiled.

"She acts like family."

William heard the comment and couldn't help smiling.

His grandson had married the right woman.

A few minutes later, the delicious aroma spread through the kitchen.

Even the professional chefs admitted it smelled wonderful.

The head chef tasted one of the pancakes.

His eyes widened.

"This is..."

He looked at Olivia with genuine admiration.

"...excellent."

Olivia laughed nervously.

"I'm glad you like it."

At that moment, footsteps echoed from the hallway.

Ethan entered the kitchen wearing a crisp white shirt with the sleeves rolled to his forearms and dark trousers. His hair was still slightly damp from his morning shower, giving him a more relaxed appearance than usual.

He stopped the moment he saw Olivia standing behind the kitchen counter wearing an apron.

For a second...

He thought he was imagining it.

The entire kitchen had gone quiet.

Ethan looked at William.

"Grandfather..."

William folded his arms with a grin.

"Don't look at me."

Ethan turned back to Olivia.

"What are you doing?"

Olivia smiled brightly.

"I made breakfast."

Ethan stared at her, then at the pancakes arranged neatly on the serving platter.

"You cooked?"

"I hope you don't mind."

He looked around the room.

Every member of the kitchen staff was waiting for his reaction.

Instead of answering immediately, Ethan walked to the counter.

He picked up a fork.

Cut off a small piece of pancake.

And took a bite.

The kitchen became so silent that everyone could hear the ticking of the antique clock on the wall.

Olivia held her breath.

She wasn't worried about the food.

She was worried about what Ethan would say

Ethan chewed quietly, his expression impossible to read.

The entire kitchen waited.

Olivia clasped her hands together nervously.

"Well?" William asked with a smile. "Don't keep us waiting."

Ethan swallowed before looking at Olivia.

"It's good."

The head chef nearly laughed.

"Just good, sir?"

Ethan looked at the pancake again before taking another bite.

"It's... very good."

A smile immediately spread across Olivia's face.

"I'm glad you like it."

William chuckled.

"I've watched Ethan eat breakfast for nearly thirty years. That's the highest compliment he'll ever give."

Everyone in the kitchen laughed softly.

Even Ethan couldn't deny it.

He calmly continued eating while Olivia watched with quiet satisfaction.

For some reason, seeing him enjoy something she had made warmed her heart.

Soon breakfast was served in the dining room.

William sat at the head of the table while Ethan and Olivia sat across from each other. Unlike the formal dinners before, the atmosphere felt surprisingly relaxed.

William reached for another pancake.

"Olivia, these are wonderful."

"Thank you, Grandpa."

"I haven't eaten pancakes this good since my wife was alive."

His words made Olivia smile.

"I'm happy you like them."

Ethan looked at her for a brief moment.

"You learned to cook from your mother?"

She nodded.

"My parents worked long hours when I was little. My mother taught me because she said everyone should know how to prepare a meal with love."

"And after they passed away?"

"I kept cooking for Mason."

She smiled softly at the memory.

"He always said my pancakes could fix a bad day."

William wiped the corner of his mouth with a napkin.

"I think he was right."

After breakfast, the servants began clearing the table.

Without thinking, Olivia stood and picked up her own plate.

Mr. Harris hurried toward her.

"Mrs. Carter, please."

She looked confused.

"What is it?"

"You don't have to do that."

She smiled kindly.

"I know."

"Then allow us."

Olivia shook her head gently.

"My mother always told me that cleaning up after yourself is a sign of respect."

Before anyone could stop her, she carried the plate into the kitchen.

The maids exchanged surprised glances.

"I've never seen anyone from the Carter family do that."

"Neither have I."

Mr. Harris watched Olivia disappear through the kitchen doors before quietly smiling to himself.

Perhaps Carter Manor had finally become a home again.

A few minutes later, Ethan stepped into his home office to prepare for work.

Daniel was already waiting with the day's schedule.

"You have a board meeting at ten, lunch with overseas investors at one, and a video conference this evening."

Ethan nodded.

"Anything else?"

Daniel smiled slightly.

"The kitchen staff can't stop talking about Mrs. Carter."

Ethan looked up from the documents.

"What are they saying?"

"That she's kind."

"They're right."

"They also said she's nothing like they expected."

Ethan closed the folder.

"Neither did I."

Daniel noticed the thoughtful expression on his boss's face.

"Sir..."

"Hm?"

"You smiled twice this morning."

Ethan frowned.

"I did not."

"You did."

"I don't smile."

Daniel tried not to laugh.

"If you say so."

At that moment, Olivia knocked gently before entering the office.

She had changed into a light blue dress and carried a neatly folded tie in her hands.

"I think you forgot this."

Ethan looked down.

He was indeed missing his tie.

He accepted it.

"Thank you."

She hesitated.

"Would you like me to..."

She pointed toward the tie.

"...help?"

Ethan looked at her for a second before handing it back.

"I haven't had someone do that since..."

He stopped speaking.

"Since?" Olivia asked gently.

"My mother."

Silence filled the room.

Olivia stepped closer.

"If you're comfortable with it."

He gave a small nod.

She stood in front of him and carefully draped the tie around his neck.

Her fingers worked slowly and confidently, adjusting the knot until it sat perfectly beneath his collar.

They were standing so close that Ethan could smell the light floral scent of her perfume.

For the first time in a long while

His heartbeat felt slightly unsteady.

Olivia finished and stepped back with a smile.

"There."

"It's perfect."

"So are you."

The words escaped her before she realized what she had said.

Her eyes widened.

"I... I meant..."

She covered her face in embarrassment.

"I meant the tie looks perfect on you."

Daniel quietly looked away, pretending to study his tablet.

Ethan remained silent for a moment before the corner of his mouth lifted into the faintest smile.

"I understood."

Olivia let out a relieved laugh.

"I'm glad."

Daniel cleared his throat.

"Sir, the car is ready."

Ethan nodded.

He picked up his briefcase before walking toward the door.

Just before leaving, he turned back to Olivia.

"Thank you..."

She looked up.

"...for breakfast."

It was only a simple sentence.

But hearing genuine appreciation in Ethan's voice made her smile brighter than she had all morning.

"Have a good day at work."

"You too."

As Ethan walked toward the waiting car outside, he found himself thinking about pancakes, warm smiles, and a woman who had somehow made the enormous Carter Manor feel different after only one morning.

For the first time in years...

He didn't mind the thought of coming home early.