Contract Marriage with My CEO Boss

Chapter 118

him and while Katrina had joked about it, he couldn't help but worry that it had upset Katrina.

Kylan sighed as he stared at a photo of Katrina on his desk, a deep frown on his face. His earlier conversation with Katrina replayed in his mind, making him feel torn between frustration and sadness. The flowers that had arrived at the house with a love note weren't from "Sir?" Isabella's voice pulled him from his thoughts. She was standing at the door with a curious expression, though her lips twitched, betraying her amusement. "Everything okay?"

Kylan shook his head. "No, Isabella. Not really. Someone sent flowers to my house-a love note included."

Isabella's heart raced in triumph. Those flowers had been her idea, a subtle maneuver to sow doubt. She had seen them and taken the opportunity to have them sent anonymously. She feigned surprise. "Oh?"

Kylan leaned on his hand, his brows knit together. "My wife laughed it off, but... I'm worried it bothered her. She means everything to me." He tapped his lip, his thoughts drifting to Katrina and Clarence. Isabella watched because she couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to kiss Kylan on his soft lips.

Then, a sudden idea struck Kylan. He jumped to his feet, grabbing his coat and keys.

"I'm leaving early today," he declared. "There's something important I need to do."

Isabella panicked and hurried after him. "But sir! There's so much work—"

He turned to her with a firm yet kind look. "I'll handle it from home if I have to. Right now, I need to be with my wife and daughter."

Isabella bit her lip, masking her annoyance. "But sir, are you sure? You've been swamped."

Kylan smiled warmly. "I'll manage. Besides, you should leave early too. Go out, relax, maybe even go on a date."

Isabella blushed, though her mind worked frantically. "I already have someone I like...but he doesn't notice me."

Kylan's brow furrowed. "Then make him notice. Be yourself-flirt, talk, spend time together. If he's worth it, he'll see how amazing you are."

Isabella's heart sank. The advice hit too close to home, as it only fueled her determination to make Kylan see Katrina differently.

She nodded, realizing she needed to work much harder. "What if he's with someone, but that person is really bad for him?"

Kylan frowned. "You mean, like, abusive?"

Isabella clenched her teeth. "She's manipulative, pushy, and two-faced."

"Tch, sounds awful."

"She's the absolute worst."

Kylan paused, his thoughts drifting to Katrina. He couldn't imagine seeing her with someone like that. "Well, you can't make someone leave a relationship, no matter how bad it is. But you can help them realize the truth-help them see that they need to get out of it on their own. Does that make sense?"

She nodded with a smile, a new resolve forming in her mind. She knew what she had to do with Kylan now. She needed to open his eyes to the truth, to show him that Katrina was worse than he realized and that she had been right about her manipulative nature all along. With a firm nod, she said, "Thank you," she murmured, forcing a small smile.

Kylan ruffled her hair affectionately. "You'll figure it out."

She sniffled, tears welling up in her eyes. She was a master at fake crying-truly impressive. Kylan's eyes widened at the sight of her tears, and she wiped her eyes dramatically. "I'm s-sorry, sir," she stammered.

Kylan hesitated, looking uncomfortable, but he couldn't just leave her crying. With a sigh, he pulled her into a one-armed hug. "It's okay. Everything will be alright."

Her cheeks flushed as she felt the warmth of his embrace, thrilled by his kindness. "How about you come with me? I'll get you something sweet-it always cheers up my wife and daughter."

She nodded, sniffling again. Her plan had worked. "I'd like that. Thank you."

He stepped into the lift. "Come on, then."

she couldn't believe it. They rode down in the lift together and then walked to a quaint sweet shop down the street. "What

scanned the options before choosing something that

nodded, adding it to his order. He also picked out a treat for his daughter and something special for

reached for her purse,

attention. She was impressed. He handed the money to the cashier. "I've got this,

handed her the bag and her

the bag tightly. "Thank you." To her, it felt like the first gift he'd ever given her,

at her. "Do

pretended to look around and then blushed again.

I'll drive you. Come on, let's head to my

"Okay."

car, opening the passenger door for her.

meeting, it was always with a driver. There would be absolutely no chance to ride with him in his personal transportation. She watched him drive,

softly. "Thank

at her

of this. It's

pulling up outside her apartment. "Get

and nodded. "I will." Leaning over, she kissed

at the kiss, guilt gnawing at him. It didn't feel right.

got out, waving as she headed into

to make sure she got inside safely. She misread his gesture, her cheeks flushing as she assumed he liked

soon as she disappeared inside, Kylan drove to the florist, his heart set on undoing any unease the flowers might have caused. He chose the most stunning arrangement of roses, their deep red petals arranged in an ornate vase. Afterward, he stopped by a toy store, selecting an oversized teddy bear for Clarence. Driving home, a smile spread across his face. He couldn't wait to see the two people he cherished most. He parked, grabbed the gifts, and hurried to the house, his excitement building

the door,

chest. "You nearly gave me

spotted the roses in his

setting the

the arrangement. "They're beautiful...

as he leaned in. "Do I need a reason

faint scent of unfamiliar perfume. Her eyes fell on a blonde hair

cried after work, so I bought her something sweet and gave her a ride home. Nothing more." He cupped her face. "You're not mad, are

pulling her close. "And you love

out as Katrina swatted

little mischief-maker, where

with a giggle, pulling away slightly as Kylan began peppering her neck with kisses. "And that doesn't mean

"You're such a

brought us a treat." He

giggled, delighted. "That's

out a smaller one. "This one's for Clarence-and I got her a teddy

belt, pulling him closer. She smiled and nuzzled him with her

kissing her back. "You're so

some fun playtime, and I

"Sounds great."

hugged him tightly. "But I missed you. You were so sweet and

her closer. "I can repeat that

"Please do." Then her eyes lit up. "Oh! Are you off

He nodded. "I am."

throwing her arms around him and kicking her legs up. He laughed as he held her tightly. She peppered his

to Clarence as the little girl began waking