Contract Marriage with My CEO Boss

Chapter 108

5 Years After

Isabella was thrilled to be starting her new job, especially as the assistant to such a remarkable man. Kylan Ross was the definition of exceptional-handsome, stoic, and seemingly flawless. His reputation preceded him: a man ruthless with his adversaries, yet kind and supportive to employees who earned his respect. She could hardly believe her luck in landing a position that would allow her to work closely with him. Waiting by the elevator with a mix of pride and anticipation, she felt her heart race and her cheeks warm as the doors slid open, revealing Kylan in a long coat and hat, his smartphone in hand and a faint, reserved smile on his face.

Isabella gasped, then quickly bowed. "G-Good morning, Sir!"

Kylan glanced up, taking in her appearance with a brief, assessing gaze. Her long blonde hair was tied to one side, and draped over her shoulder, complementing her fitted black skirt, white blouse, and soft pink cardigan with a small, tasteful pin. He acknowledged her presence with a slight nod, though his attention soon returned to his phone, where a picture of his family awaited him-a photo of Kate holding their young daughter, Clarence, who was snuggled in a onesie. Kylan's gaze softened as he looked at the picture, the pride and adoration evident in his eyes. Katrina and Clarence were his world, his everything. He'd do anything to protect them both.

"Morning," he replied, stepping out of the elevator. "You must be my new assistant."

Isabella hurried to keep up with his brisk pace as he moved toward his office. "Yes, Sir. Isabella Stone."

When they entered his office, Kylan set his phone down on his grand desk and shrugged off his coat and hat, surprised when Isabella stepped forward to take them. "Thank Katrina, Mrs. Stone," he said coolly.

She hung up his coat with a blush. "It's Miss, actually."

He handed her his gloves with a polite nod. "Apologies, Miss Stone."

As she took his gloves, her eyes caught on the glint of a wedding ring on his hand. She bit her lip, feeling a pang of disappointment-her hopes of catching his interest were dashed. But, stubbornly, she held on to the thought that maybe she could still find a way into his life, wife or not. Kylan was worth the effort.

She cleared her throat. "May I ask something, Sir?"

Kylan, now seated at his desk and loosening his blazer, glanced at her expectantly. "Go ahead."

"What happened to your last assistant?"

His gaze drifted to a framed photo on his desk-one of them, his beloved wife. "The one before had to transfer to another state."

never heard about that. She knew he had a female secretary who had become his girlfriend. This was very well known throughout New York, and Isabella despised that woman for sleeping her way up. However, seeing how handsome

secretary before, right?" she

about Katrina to people over the years he had healed. "She became head of one of the departments before she had to leave to focus

comfortable and happy at home. She's a bit... stubborn, though. It was only when our daughter was born that she finally agreed. My 'bratty' wife, always so determined," he murmured with a hint of affection. Isabella's hopes lifted. If he was calling his wife "bratty" and acting

adored Katrina; to him, Katrina was perfect. Every thought he had of her and Clarence filled him with

smile and took out her

jaw tightening as he read through them. Without pausing, he began listing tasks for Isabella. As

can start on those tasks. I

"Yes, Sir! Do

at the framed photo of

out, and the moment the door closed, Kylan's expression softened as he turned his gaze back to their family picture.

one standing across from him, listening

ΕΛ

off halfway, told him to "slow the ever-loving hell down," or Katrina

complain about."

him that way. But as time went on, he'd fallen hard for Katrina and her fearless spirit. Katrina never asked if he wanted tea; Katrina just

typing, a sudden clamor shattered his focus-Isabella had returned, far louder than Katrina had ever been. Even his previous assistant after Kate wasn't

perfume hung heavily in the air, too overpowering compared to the delicate, sweet scent Katrina wore. Clenching his jaw, he sipped the tea she brought, finding it palatable but nothing special. He missed the way Katrina made it, the subtle warmth that only her hands could infuse into something as simple as tea. The thought crossed his mind that he might need to start bringing his own tea or, better yet,

was loudly insisting someone shouldn't go in. Just as Kylan was about to reprimand her for the noise, the door swung open, and there Katrina was, with little Clarence clutching her hand as he toddled beside Katrina. Kylan

wobbled over to Kylan, who knelt down to scoop her up, showering her little

hurried forward. "But Ma'am,

waved her off with a gentle smile. "Don't worry about

Isabella's face fell. "W-wife?"

and moved closer to Kylan.

flicking to Clarence before answering. "Silly, as always." He tickled Clarence, making her giggle. "But it's much better