Contract Marriage with My CEO Boss (Kylan and Katrina)

The weekend was everything Kylan had hoped for, a day filled with joy and laughter as the three of them explored a vibrant flower garden for Clarence's birthday.

The two of them walked hand-in-hand with Clarence, who was holding Katrina's other hand and Kylan's. They were heading toward Clarence's next birthday surprise, and the little girl was practically glowing with excitement. Having both her parents with her and being spoiled all morning made her day even more special.

Katrina stopped walking and turned to Clarence with a warm smile. "Happy birthday, sweetheart!"

Clarence's eyes lit up as she pointed to the colorful flowers ahead. "Pretty!"

Kylan chuckled. "That's right, pretty flowers just for you."

Clarence clapped her little hands in delight. "Pretty!"

Kylan crouched down to adjust the tiny backpack she was wearing and pulled out the attached reins. "Alright, I've got your reins ready so we don't lose you." He stood up with a grin.

Clarence was an adventurous little girl, always eager to explore, and the reins ensured she didn't wander too far. "Alright, lead the way, princess."

Katrina held Kylan's hand as they walked behind Clarence, who was happily skipping ahead, stopping every so often to admire the flowers. She suddenly paused at a large, vibrant bloom and pointed excitedly. "Mommy!"

Katrina crouched down beside her. "Oh wow, that's a really pretty one!"

Clarence nodded confidently. "Yes."

Kylan sat on a nearby wall, watching the moment unfold. "Is it as pretty as mommy?" he asked playfully.

Clarence turned and nodded again. "Yes!"

Katrina blushed and laughed softly. "So that's what she meant." She glanced over at Kylan with a smile. "Like father, like daughter."

Clarence held onto Katrina's hand, her attention now caught by a buzzing sound nearby. "Buzz, buzz!"

Katrina followed her gaze. "That's a bee, sweetie. He's having fun with the flowers."

Clarence giggled, watching the bee for a moment before tugging on Katrina's hand. "Go, Mommy!"

Katrina stood and walked with her. "Alright, where are we going now, missy?"

"Go!" Clarence said with determination, pulling her along.

Katrina glanced back at Kylan, amused. "She's on a mission today!"

Kylan smiled as he watched Katrina and their daughter together. He loved them both more than words could express, finding them absolutely adorable. He felt so lucky to have taken the day off to be with them. Work had been grueling lately, with an endless stream of tasks and projects piling up, often thanks to Isabella's constant demands. He figured she wasn't thrilled about him being absent today, but he chalked it up to nerves-this was probably the first time she'd managed things without him.

But as he watched his wife and daughter laughing and exploring together, none of that mattered. This was exactly where he wanted to be.

Kylan snapped out of his thoughts and hurried to catch up with Katrina and Clarence.

While he focused on his family, Isabella stood nearby, watching him intently. She wished it were her holding Clarence's hand, her that Kylan was chasing after, and her receiving his adoring gaze. She hated that he'd be away from work for a whole week, but it was for Clarence's birthday. Though she found Clarence to be a sweet and adorable little girl, her dislike for Katrina burned strong. Isabella had decided she would check on Kylan every day, curious about how he was outside of work. Knowing about the planned beach trip, she couldn't wait to see him in swim trunks.

Before leaving, she walked to Kylan's parked car and left a present wrapped for Clarence, then discreetly followed the family.

Clarence suddenly stopped walking and rubbed her eyes. "Mommy?"

"Do you want me to pick you up, sweetheart?" Katrina asked with a smile, noticing her daughter's sleepy expression. Clarence reached up, and Katrina scooped her onto her hip. "Alright, you lead the way now. Just point, and we'll go where you want." Clarence hummed happily and pointed ahead. "Go!"

Katrina laughed and glanced at Kylan. "You heard the boss."

Kylan chuckled, putting his arm around Katrina, his hand sliding playfully down to her hip. "She's a little leader, isn't she?"

"She sure is," Katrina replied with a smirk before noticing his wandering hand. "That hand better behave."

Kylan gave her a teasing squeeze and nipped her ear. "I was just thinking of all the things we could do back at the hotel."

Katrina shot him a look. "Same here, but our daughter's the priority right now."

"Of course," Kylan agreed with a grin. He took Clarence from Katrina and lifted her onto his shoulders. "How's this for a view, little one?" Clarence gasped. "Wooow!"

Katrina laughed and gently squeezed Clarence's foot. "It's high up there, isn't it?"

"Wow!" Clarence giggled, patting Kylan's head as he bounced her up and down, making her laugh even more.

"Daddy?" Clarence said suddenly.

"Yeah, princess?" Kylan asked, turning his head slightly.

"Pretty," Clarence replied, pointing to a flower.

Kylan walked over to it. "This one?"

"Yes."

He crouched down, admiring it. "Wow, it is pretty, just like you."

Clarence hugged his head tightly. "Thirsty."

Kylan lifted her off his shoulders and looked at her proudly. "Did you just say 'thirsty'?"

Clarence nodded. "Yes."

"Such a big girl!" Kylan exclaimed, hugging her. "I'm so proud of you!"

Katrina smiled and thumbed back toward the car. "Let's grab the food bag so she can have a drink."

As they reached the car, Katrina stopped and frowned. A gift was sitting on the hood, wrapped in bright children's paper. "That's not from me," she said, puzzled.

Kylan handed Clarence to Katrina. "Stay back with her. I'll check it out."

Katrina hugged Clarence close. "Don't worry, baby. Daddy's being brave for us."

Kylan approached the box cautiously, noticing it came with a card. The note said it was for Clarence but had no signature. When he unwrapped it, he found a toy with an embedded nanny cam. Isabella had planned to use it to spy on Katrina and Clarence, but her scheme failed. Kylan scowled. "It's a gift for Clarence, but I don't know who sent it."

"Throw it away," Katrina said firmly. "If we don't know where it's from, we can't trust it."

Kylan nodded, tossing the box and card into a nearby trash bin. Isabella, who was watching from a distance, felt a pang of anger. She blamed Katrina entirely for Kylan's decision.

Still unsettled, Kylan turned back to Katrina. "Let's head back to the hotel."

Katrina hesitated. "But this is Clarence's birthday outing..."Published by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.

Kylan weighed his concerns against his family's happiness. After a moment, he smiled. "Alright, let's stay and have our picnic."

He carried the food bag and blanket to a nearby public picnic area. Once everything was set up, Clarence ran around with Katrina, their laughter filling the air. Kylan sat back, watching his wife and daughter play together, his heart swelling with love. Clarence eventually stopped and pointed to a lake. "Duckies!"

Kylan smiled and patted the blanket beside him. "Come here, princess. I've got juice."

Clarence dashed over, tumbling onto the blanket with a giggle. "Oops!"

"Oops indeed," Kylan laughed, sitting her up and handing her a juice box. "There you go, sweetheart."

He looked at Katrina, who was picking flowers nearby, her hair glowing in the sunlight. Her smile caught his eye, and his heart fluttered. Even after all this time, she still had that effect on him.

When Katrina returned and sat beside him, she noticed his thoughtful expression. "Everything okay?"

He nodded, taking her hand. "Yeah, I was just thinking how my feelings for you haven't changed one bit. You still make my heart race and my stomach flutter."

Katrina hummed happily, leaning closer to him and placing a flower in his hair. "Same here. Everything about you still gives me butterflies-even your scent is divine."

He laughed softly, pulling her into a warm hug. "I love you so much."

"I love you too," Katrina whispered, nuzzling his cheek.

Kylan slid his hand gently up the inside of Katrina's thigh. "When I was watching you, I was thinking..."

Katrina looked at him, her smile softening. "Oh yeah?"

He leaned in and kissed her tenderly. "How about another child?"

Katrina's cheeks flushed with warmth. "Well, I'd love one."

Kylan's eyes lit up in surprise. "Really?"

Katrina nodded, still a little shy. "Yeah, but... are you sure we don't want to wait until Clarence is three?"

Kylan hummed thoughtfully. "How about we give it a few months? By the time the baby comes, Clarence will be over three."

Katrina hugged him tightly, planting soft kisses on his cheek. "Yes."

Kylan blushed a bit, his smile broadening. "Perfect." He pulled away and glanced at their daughter. "Ah, but we should focus on our little one. After all, it's her birthday today." Katrina turned to their daughter, smiling. "It's your special day, right, Clarence? It's your birthday!"

Clarence clapped her hands, her face lighting up with joy. "Yes!"

Katrina reached into the picnic bag and handed her a snack. "Eat up, sweetie."

Clarence smiled brightly. "Thank you, Mommy."

Katrina's smile widened. "Such a smart girl." She then grabbed food for Kylan and handed it to him. "Your turn, eat up."

Kylan ate some of his meal, then watched Katrina eat as well. He smiled and leaned in, kissing her softly.

Meanwhile, Isabella, who had been

listening nearby, was fuming. She had overheard Kylan's suggestion about having another baby, and Katrina's enthusiastic agreement. It made her blood boil. She thought she had been making progress, but it seemed Katrina and Kylan were growing closer. Isabella knew she had to step up her game of risk losing him for good. She needed time to think, to plan, and to make her next move. She decided to give it a week-one week while Katrina and Kylan were away with Clarence on their birthday trip-and then she would come back stronger than ever to win Kylan back.

Katrina suddenly shivered and looked around. "That's odd..."

Kylan wrapped his arm around her. "Is something wrong?"

Katrina frowned slightly. "I just have this strange feeling... like someone's watching us, and there's something bad behind it. But it could just be my imagination."

Kylan kissed her forehead, trying to soothe her. "You've always had good intuition. It might be nothing, my love."

Katrina smiled, trying to shake off the unease. "I suppose so."

Clarence got up from her side and walked over to Katrina. "Mommy?"

Katrina scooped her into her lap, kissing her little head. "Are you worried about me too, sweetie? Well, don't be, I'm just fine, okay?" She looked at Kylan, her heart full. "Because I have you both to protect me."

Kylan kissed her gently. "We both love you so much."

Clarence smiled brightly at them. "Love Mommy."

~0~0~0~

Isabella sat alone in her dimly lit apartment, the only sound the soft hum of the air conditioner. Her fingers absently traced the rim of the wine glass in front of her, but her mind was far away. It was consumed by thoughts of Kylan and Katrina.

Kylan had been so close to her, so accessible. All those late nights at the office, the private meetings, the way he'd smile at her with that warmth, that kindness. She'd worked so hard to get into his life, earning the position as his assistant wasn't easy, but she had done it. All for him. She was smart and resourceful. She knew how to get close to him, how to make him depend on her. And yet, after all her effort, he had still chosen Katrina.

The way he looked at Katrina. It made Isabella's stomach churn with jealousy. She wasn't blind; she could see how Kylan's eyes softened whenever Katrina was near, how his smile deepened when she spoke. The way he touched her, so casually but with a sense of ownership. It was like Kylan belonged to Katrina in a way he never would belong to Isabella.

Isabella gripped the glass harder, the wine sloshing dangerously. "She doesn't deserve him," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the pounding in her ears. Katrina wasn't even special. She was nothing compared to Isabella, not in the way she mattered to Kylan. She didn't see the way he needed her. No one knew him the way Isabella did, not even Katrina.

"Why does she get to have him?" Isabella muttered to herself, her voice thick with resentment. "She gets everything, just by being there, by being his 'wife'... but I've been here, fighting for him, doing everything for him." She stood abruptly, her hands trembling as she moved around her apartment. "I'm the one who deserves him. I've worked so hard for him. I've waited for years..."

Her eyes flicked to the framed picture on the wall-her and Kylan at the office Christmas party on her first year, laughing together, his arm draped around her shoulders. That was the moment she knew. She knew she could make him hers. And yet, Katrina was also there. That was the only time she got close to Kylan.

Her fists clenched as she moved to the window, staring out into the dark night. She watched as the lights of the city twinkled, a perfect metaphor for her thoughts: sparkling, fragmented, impossible to control. "I can't let this go on. I won't," she whispered, a cold resolve settling over her. "Katrina thinks she's so perfect, so untouchable. But I'm going to show Kylan just how dangerous she is. I'll make him see how much better I am for him. I'll make sure she's out of the picture,

one way or another."

Isabella's eyes darkened as she stared at the reflection of her face in the window. She met him at a gala a few years ago, when Katrina was still his assistant. When she received the news about Katrina and Kylan in a relationship, she couldn't believe it. She told her journalist friend about them and wished they would break up because of her, but it failed.

The truth was, she was obsessed. She was addicted to Kylan, to the idea of him, to the life she thought she could have with him. And she'd go to any lengths to make it happen.

She stepped back from the window, her mind already racing with plans, ideas... manipulations. There were ways to make Kylan question everything. Ways to break them apart, to expose Katrina as the weak link in his life.

"I'll make you see, Kylan," Isabella whispered, a twisted smile curling on her lips. "I'll make you see that I'm the one you really need. And once I do, no one, especially Katrina, will be able to take me from you."