Contract Marriage with My CEO Boss

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.

feel so loved!" She turned to Kylan. "I think someone

kisses while Katrina resumed

be home the following evening if

rush back for us, okay? Your safety

being away from you

no racing home.

"Promise," he murmured.

the three of them lay together on the bed, Clarence clutching her toy while Kylan

Katrina replied, her heart full

morning, Katrina kissed Kylan goodbye and reassured him as he left for his trip. She spent the day keeping Clarence entertained with games and laughter, and they ended the evening with a bedtime story before settling down. As night fell, Katrina

phone finally rang, her heart leaped at the sight of his name. She quickly answered.

brow furrowing. Then, she froze as she

"Have another drink, Kylan."

his response. "I don't know... I've

huh?" the

to bed. Don't make me

Today was a good day, though, wasn't

"A great job.

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

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

heard movement, followed by Kylan's voice again.

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

~0~0~0~

the dimly lit bedroom as Kylan reached for it. He groaned, fumbling with the screen, but Isabella's hand darted out, snatching it before he could. "I've got

but before he could protest, Isabella answered

she said, her tone casual but

clear through the line, her words weighted with unspoken tension. "Kylan? Why

the phone now," she

stunned silence hung in the air, thick with

her voice eerily

put me to bed and he's now asleep," Isabella repeated,

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

after he had gone to the bathroom to wake

you say?" he demanded, snatching

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

pounding in his ears. But

hands trembling as she dialed another number. Clarence stirred beside her, clutching

asked sleepily, sensing the tension in her mother's

whispered, stroking her daughter's hair. "We're going to Grandpa's

on the other end, his voice steady and warm despite the late hour,

with you for a bit? I need... I need

and told her he would

"Is everything okay, sweetheart?"

meet him soon so it doesn't make sense to lie to him. "No,

incessantly on the nightstand, but Katrina ignored it. Finally,

you

it's not what you