Chapter 125

Katrina moved back and forth across the room, gathering clothes and placing them neatly in a suitcase. Clarence sat on the bed, clutching her red panda toy tightly and watching her mother with curious eyes. Katrina paused to ruffle her daughter's hair, smiling warmly.

"What are you thinking about, sweetie?"

Clarence tilted her head, her gaze flicking toward the suitcase. "Daddy... go bye-bye?"

Katrina nodded gently. "Daddy has to go on a business trip, but he doesn't want to."

Clarence frowned. "Why?"

Katrina crouched beside her, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "Because Daddy loves being here with us. But sometimes, he has to work far away so he can take care of everything we need."

Clarence's lower lip trembled, and she rubbed her eyes. "No Daddy."

Katrina pulled her into a hug, kissing her chubby cheeks repeatedly. "I know, sweetheart. I'm going to miss him too. But guess what? You can sleep next to me the whole time he's gone." She began tickling Clarence, eliciting squeals of laughter. "How does that sound?" "Fun, Mommy!" Clarence clapped her hands enthusiastically.

Katrina kissed her on the forehead. "We'll have so much fun playing games, singing, and snuggling up together."

Clarence cheered, and just then, Kylan entered the room with a smile. "What's going on here? Have you two been conspiring behind my back while I was at work?"

Katrina glanced at him and grinned. "We were packing your suitcase for your trip."

Kylan hummed thoughtfully and approached the bed. "Well, it looks like you forgot two important things."

Katrina tilted her head, amused. "What's that?"

"You and Clarence," he said with a smirk.

She laughed. "You can't pack us."

Kylan picked Clarence up and placed her in the small suitcase. "Sure I can. Look, she fits perfectly!"

Clarence giggled. "Yes, Daddy!"

Katrina shook her head, chuckling. "You're not taking her."

Clarence handed her toy to Kylan, who kissed her head. "Thank you, sweetheart. And who says I can't try?" He sighed, sitting on the bed with Clarence on his lap. "I hate these trips. I hate being away from you two." Katrina sat beside him, resting her hand on his arm. "You'll be okay. We'll call you, video chat. You'll see us all the time."

Kylan kissed Clarence's cheek and looked at her. "You're going to take care of Mommy for me, right?"

Clarence nodded earnestly. "Yes!"

"You'll keep her company at night too?"

Clarence giggled. "Hug Mommy!"

"Lots of hugs and kisses, okay?"

"Kisses!" Clarence shouted, throwing her arms around Katrina and peppering her cheeks with kisses.

to Kylan. "I think someone else deserves some

into Kylan's lap, showering him with kisses while Katrina resumed packing. "How long will you be

back on the bed. "I should be home the following

back for us, okay? Your safety is

sighed. "I know. But being away from you two is

racing

"Promise," he murmured.

toy while Kylan held Katrina's hand

full as they all drifted off to

day keeping Clarence entertained with games and laughter, and they ended the evening with a bedtime story before settling down. As night fell, Katrina sat on

at the sight of his name.

no reply. "Kylan?" she repeated, her brow furrowing. Then, she froze as she heard a woman's voice on the

"Have another drink, Kylan."

she heard his response. "I don't know... I've already had two,

the woman

let's head to

"Alright, alright. Today was a good day,

Kylan agreed. "A great

to please you, Kylan," she said, her voice dripping with implication.

we can get back to the hotel." "You're right," the woman replied, her

by Kylan's voice

to bear it any longer, Katrina ended the call. She stared at the empty side of the bed, her chest tightening with pain and uncertainty. She prayed it was all a misunderstanding, clinging to the memory of Kylan's love and the life they had built together. Finally, she closed her eyes, tears slipping down her cheeks as her mind replayed his words, "I love you so

~0~0~0~

fumbling with the screen, but Isabella's hand darted out, snatching it before he could. "I've got it," Isabella said groggily, her voice heavy

before he

her

her words weighted with unspoken tension.

the phone now,"

silence hung in the air, thick with

did you just say?" Katrina asked, her voice eerily

put me to bed and he's now asleep," Isabella repeated, now sensing something amiss.

clipped reply, her tone dropping several degrees. "Tell Kylan not to bother calling back. He's

moments later after he had gone to the bathroom to wake himself up. His face went pale as he noticed Isabella's

say?" he demanded, snatching the phone

where you were, and I... I told her you were putting me to bed because you just helped me to the couch earlier. That's all!

He was already dialing Katrina back, his pulse pounding in his ears. But each ring felt like an eternity, and when the voicemail clicked on,

edge of the bed in her and Kylan's room, her hands trembling as she dialed another number. Clarence stirred beside her, clutching her favorite

sensing the tension

baby," Katrina whispered, stroking her daughter's hair. "We're

father answered on the other

a bit? I

agreed and told her he would

"Is everything okay, sweetheart?"

she would be lying and her father will be sad. She will also meet him soon so it doesn't make sense to lie to him. "No, Dad... but we will talk once we get to Portland, okay?" "Yes, of

things. The phone buzzed incessantly on the nightstand, but Katrina ignored it. Finally, after nonstop

do you

it's not what

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255