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.

returning the affection. "Oh, I feel so loved!" She turned to Kylan. "I think

him with kisses while Katrina

replied, leaning back on the bed. "I should be home the following evening if things go smoothly.

shut. "Don't rush back for us, okay? Your safety is the most

know. But being away from you

racing home.

"Promise," he murmured.

them lay together on the bed, Clarence clutching her toy while Kylan held Katrina's hand between them. "I love

her heart full as they all drifted off to

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

rang, her heart leaped at the sight of his name.

first, there was no reply. "Kylan?" she repeated, her brow furrowing. Then, she froze as she heard

"Have another drink, Kylan."

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

the woman

to bed. Don't make me

Today was a

Kylan agreed. "A great job.

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

quicker we can get back to the

movement, followed by Kylan's voice

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

~0~0~0~

the screen, but Isabella's hand darted out, snatching it before he could. "I've got it," Isabella said

caught off guard, but before he could protest, Isabella

she said, her tone casual

through the line, her words weighted with unspoken

come to the phone now,"

stunned silence hung in the air,

say?" Katrina asked, her voice eerily calm,

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

Kylan not to bother calling back. He's

bathroom to wake himself up. His face went pale as he

you say?" he demanded, snatching the

asked where you were, and I... I told her you were putting me to bed because you just helped me to the couch

to hear the rest. He was already dialing Katrina back, his pulse pounding in his ears. But each ring felt like an eternity, and when

and Kylan's room, her hands trembling as she dialed another number. Clarence stirred beside her, clutching her favorite stuffed toy. Katrina's eyes welled up as she saw it was the red panda that Kylan got for

Mommy?" Clarence asked sleepily, sensing

daughter's hair. "We're going to Grandpa's house for a while,

phone and dialed her father's number. When her father answered on the

you for a

agreed and told her he would

"Is everything okay, sweetheart?"

would be lying and her father will be sad. She will also meet him soon so it doesn't make sense to

on the nightstand, but Katrina ignored it. Finally, after nonstop

you want,

not what you

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