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."

him, her heart racing. This felt like a date to her, and she couldn't believe it. They rode down in the lift together and then walked to a quaint sweet shop down the street. "What

options before choosing something that

order. He also picked out a treat for his daughter and something special for

for her purse, she asked,

opened his wallet, revealing a wad of cash that caught her attention. She was impressed. He handed the money to the cashier. "I've got this, Isabella. It's my

bag and

To her, it felt like the first gift he'd

glanced at her.

pretended to look around and

rubbing the back of his neck. "Alright, I'll drive you. Come

"Okay."

led her to his car, opening the

a car for a business meeting, it was always with a driver. There would be absolutely no

sighed softly.

at her

all of this. It's really

replied, pulling up outside her apartment. "Get yourself inside,

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

It didn't feel

waving as she headed into

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

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

burst through the door, startling

gasped, clutching her chest. "You

faded as Katrina spotted the roses in his arms.

setting the bouquet on

the arrangement.

in. "Do I need a reason to remind you how much

lucky?" Katrina kissed him but froze when Katrina caught the faint scent of unfamiliar perfume. Her eyes fell on

home. Nothing more." He cupped her face. "You're not mad, are

her close. "And

Katrina swatted him. "Kylan, not in

the little mischief-maker,

neck with kisses. "And that doesn't mean you can

playfully. "You're

the floor. "Well, I brought us a treat." He pulled out

giggled, delighted. "That's

cake on the counter, then pulled out a smaller one. "This one's for Clarence-and I got her a

him closer. She smiled and nuzzled him with her nose before leaning in to kiss him.

her back. "You're so wonderful. Did you have a good day

had some fun playtime, and I got a lot

"Sounds great."

tightly. "But I missed you. You were

her closer. "I can repeat that

sly smile. "Please do." Then her eyes lit up.

He nodded. "I am."

kicking her legs up. He laughed as he held her tightly. She peppered his face with kisses before humming happily. "I'm so glad!"

to Clarence as the little girl began