Contract Marriage with My CEO Boss

Chapter 130

As Isabella plotted and schemed, Katrina woke up that morning to the warmth of Kylan's embrace, their night before filled with love and tenderness. His cheerful mood carried into the day, and he left for work with a spring in his step. After changing Clarence and completing their morning routine together, Katrina hummed a soft tune while Clarence toddled behind her, clutching a toy. She headed into the living room, considering how she might spend the day, perhaps writing while Clarence played by her side. Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the front door opening. Katrina froze, her breath catching as she turned to see a rough-looking man step inside and lock the door behind him.

"Who... who are you?" she managed, her voice trembling.

The man smirked, his gaze unsettling. "Just someone here to make your day interesting."

Her heart pounded as she edged behind the sofa, putting some distance between them. "You need to leave. Now."

He chuckled darkly and took a step closer. "Not until I get what I came for."

"What do you want? I can give you money, jewelry-whatever you need." She tried to keep her voice steady.

"Not interested." His tone was casual, but his intent was clear. "I want you."

Katrina's instincts screamed at her to protect Clarence. She grabbed a teacup from the table and hurled it at the intruder, the porcelain shattering against his arm. When he lunged, she threw a pot, then another cup, before darting toward the kitchen. But he was fast. He caught her wrist, his grip like iron, and yanked her back. She twisted and struck him across the face, but the force sent her tumbling against the kitchen island, pain flaring in her ribs as she hit the edge and crumpled to the floor.

Gritting her teeth, Katrina crawled away, gasping for breath. The man grabbed her ankle, dragging her back, but she thrashed and kicked with everything she had. "No! Let go of me!"

He pinned her down momentarily, his weight crushing, but she managed to bring her knee up sharply, hitting him where it hurt most. He groaned, releasing her momentarily, and she scrambled to her feet. Blood trickled from scratches on her legs as she staggered toward the drawer to grab a knife, her hands trembling.

"Stop!" she cried as he yanked her back by her hair. He grinned, clearly enjoying her defiance, but her determination to protect Clarence outweighed her fear. She stomped on his foot and jabbed her elbow into his nose, breaking free. "You're tougher than you look," he sneered, wiping at his face, which now glistened with blood.

Before she could respond, he shoved her toward the small glass partition by the kitchen. The impact shattered it, and Katrina collapsed amid shards, the glass cutting into her arms and legs as she struggled to crawl away.

"Mommy?" Clarence's small, frightened voice rang out, and Katrina's heart sank. Her daughter stood at the edge of the living room, clutching a stuffed toy.

"No!" Katrina screamed as the man turned toward Clarence. "Stay away from her!"

The man sneered. "You should've stayed quiet." He stepped toward the child, but Katrina, fueled by a mother's instinctive fury, launched herself at him, grabbing a shard of glass. She slashed at his arm, forcing him to stumble back with a curse. Clarence ran to her mother, tears streaming down her cheeks. "Mommy!"

Katrina scooped her daughter into her arms, blood smearing onto Clarence's pajamas as she bolted for the bathroom. Once inside, she locked the door and slid to the floor, holding Clarence tightly. Her breathing was shallow, her body trembling. She reached for her phone and dialed emergency services. "Help... I need help," she whispered, her voice weak.

"Ma'am, what's your emergency?" the operator asked calmly.

"A man broke into my home. I fought him off, but I'm hurt. My daughter... she's only two. Please send help quickly."

"We're dispatching police and an ambulance now. Are you safe?"

Katrina's voice cracked. "We're locked in the bathroom. Please hurry." She hugged Clarence tighter. "I'm two months pregnant," she added softly.

"You're incredibly brave. Stay with us, ma'am. Help is on the way."

Tears streamed down Katrina's face as she whispered soothing words to Clarence. "It's okay, sweetheart. The superheroes are coming."

Clarence sniffled and nodded, her small hand clutching her mother's. "Okay, Mommy."

The sound of the front door breaking open jolted Katrina back to the moment. "They're here," she breathed into the phone.

thudded down the hall. A

here!" Katrina managed to yell,

take Clarence from her arms. "Please... call my husband. He needs to be here for her," she murmured before her

~0~0~0~

beneath them, a storm of rage brewed. He looked up as a doctor stepped out of

Would you like to

nodded quickly, his

Clarence lay on the bed, her arm in a cast and a patch on her forehead. The doctor offered an encouraging smile. "Here she is. I'm about to tend to her, but she'll need you to be by her side." Kylan rushed to Clarence's bedside, his

at him, her voice soft.

on the bed and hugged

her tired

smile, fighting back his emotions. "She's resting

gown. "Your daughter needs to wear this. The police have

hard, helping Clarence out of her clothes and into the

nodded, taking the clothes to a waiting officer. "I'll tend to Clarence now, but the police need to ask you a

Clarence in his lap, keeping an arm securely around

about what

know if you're aware of anyone who might have

shook his head firmly. "No. I can't think

us speaking to

Kylan replied

is very brave, and your wife... she's incredible. The way she fought back is remarkable. We'll give you some time with her

fine, but those cuts need to stay wrapped up for

holding Clarence close. "Can I see my

with my colleague to see

holding Clarence in his arms. When Dr. Lee returned, he immediately stood. "Is

me." Kylan picked up Clarence and hurried after her. She

sinking as he saw Katrina hooked up to IVs and surrounded by medical equipment. Her arms were wrapped in bandages, her neck supported, and her face bruised. The breathing mask

tears, he turned to another doctor

ribs, lacerations, a bruised throat and windpipe, and numerous facial contusions. We were initially concerned

"And the baby?"

"The baby is safe and

to Katrina's

course. We'll

holding her hand. Clarence reached out, placing her small

Kylan said

"Wake?"

Kylan promised. "She'll

Clarence yawned and snuggled into Kylan's

know he hadn't been there to protect her, to shield her and Clarence from harm. The sight of her fragile form, bruised and battered, haunted him. He

sat in the sterile

Clarence curled up

sleep. He cradled her tightly, as though his grip could somehow undo all that had happened. His thoughts drifted to a sunny afternoon just weeks ago when they'd all been laughing in the park. Clarence had squealed