Contract Marriage with My CEO Boss

Chapter 68

Chapter 68

Kylan already knew he wouldn't sleep that night. He made himself a cup of tea, drank it in a few swift gulps, and then he was moving in the direction of the closet just off the kitchen. He yanked it open, pulling out his massive container of cleaning supplies He found his black vinyl gloves and fixed them over his hands. He tied an apron around his torso and hips and then he got to work.

He cleaned everything, following the same system he always did. From the windows, to the counters, to the baseboards, and then the walls. He was meticulous, calculating, laser focused on every square inch of his penthouse.

He steamed the floors four times before deciding they were still not clean enough, and iso he did it twice more. He stripped his bedding, washing each piece, and then he dusted the curtains from top to bottom, standing on a step stool whenever necessary He internally marked things off the list in his mind, moving to wipe every single surface clean and then doing it all over again.

The goal was not to think. Not to spiral. Not to allow himself to get to that point.

So, he didn't. He didn't, and instead he abused every facet of his body, cleaning and cleaning and scrubbing for hours into the night. He was sweaty, disgusting, panting and aching, and still he kept cleaning.

By the time the sun was beginning to rise outside, pinks and orange creating over a bank of clouds, he was finally done

He put e

everything away in its proper place and then stripped his clothing, taking a scalding hot shower and urging his muscles to relax even a fraction of an amount.

His body was exhausted, but has mand was wound tight like a spring waiting to release

Oscar was sick.

Katrina was going out of town for a week.

was coming up. The anniversary he wished, willed, pleaded to never come around again. But each year, it did. And each year, it took a bit more out of him

in the shower and collapsed onto his freshly made bed, closing his eyes, and heaving

Was she asleep, or did she have jet lag? When was her flight? How would she do on a

rubbing his eyes that were now burning

after the anniversary. Do you want

message to Katrina and then paused. He was capable of figuring it out, or he could ask that new secretary. Katrina needed space. Space from him specifically, and he understood that. He

to see James? It was always something he had to mentally prepare for beforehand. Seeing him was bittersweet and depending on what he himself would choose to focus on,

his mind each year,

"Ralph's?" he replied.

our booth," James texted

be able to get a

-0-0-0-

kept the radio off on the way to Ralph's, doing his best to calm his nerves. He clenched his jaw to the point it was aching by the time he found a parking stall. His hands

It was too much for both of them, but mostly for him. The guilt would eat him alive

him, either. He hated both days equally and he never celebrated his birthday.

readjusted his button-down and jacket after stepping out of his car, smoothing his hair down before walking into the cafe. Lack

Chapter 68

lights were too bright. The laughter from people enjoying their

fast is akin to

nails on

chalkboard.