The Enticing CEO’s Chosen Bride

With a furrowed brow, he snapped, “What’s up?”

The woman was perched on the couch, her phone in hand. “Your phone’s dead?”

Rising from his bed, Nathan looked around, prompted by her question. She pointed at the coffee table, then picked up a black phone, standing to hand it over to him.

As Nathan took the phone and opened it, she pursed her lips and said, “I thought it was dead. You didn’t get a single call or text all night.”

Without a word, Nathan glanced at the phone and tossed it aside, the screen going dark. The woman asked, “So really no calls or messages last night?”

Nathan stood up, intending to find the bathroom. Upon hearing her words, he seemed particularly impatient. “What are you trying to say?”d2

There was a moment of silence before she spoke, “The stuff from the bar last night went viral. I thought your wife would’ve called to check in.”

Nathan froze, his hungover eyes darkening as he turned to her, his look menacing.

She recoiled two steps, her face stricken with fear. “Sorry.”

Nathan looked away, a sarcastic laugh escaping him after a moment’s thought. He stormed into the bathroom, and the door slammed with a resounding thud.

He emerged from a quick shower, dressed in a bathrobe, and ignored the bewildered woman on the sofa. He grabbed his phone and ordered clothes to be delivered.

While waiting for his clothes, Nathan ordered breakfast. He didn’t neglect the woman. They ate together.

She didn’t eat much, while Nathan ate like a man with a hearty appetite. She’d seen many people, men and women, treat meals like a mere formality, barely nibbling, as if that was enough to last the day. Now, she had seen what a real man’s appetite looked like.

But even this was nothing compared to Nathan’s usual intake. After a night of drinking on an empty stomach, he was uncomfortable and headachy. Eating much was out of the question.

They ate in silence. When the clothes arrived, he tossed an outfit to the woman, gesturing for her to change in the bathroom. She complied, puzzled, and when she returned, Nathan was transformed. Dressed in a crisp suit, his hair casually styled, he exuded an aristocratic charm, a rakish allure.

“Let’s go,” he said emotionlessly, opening the door.

Her heart racing, she followed him out, pausing to murmur, “We really don’t have to do this.”

He walked on without listening.

The bar was quiet in the morning compared to the previous night’s revelry. The patrons were lethargic, silently preparing to leave, their spirits downcast.

But as they saw Nathan and the woman leave together, their expressions were oddly knowing.

Nathan sensed something amiss. “What were you about to say?” he asked her, eyes fixed forward.

Startled, she whispered back, “You made headlines at the bar last night. If it was all an act, you succeeded. But I’m not sure if this morning turned out how you wanted.”

Outside the bar, they breathed in the fresh air. “What didn’t turn out as I wanted?” he pressed.

She hesitated to reply, so he turned to her, only to have her phone thrust in his face.

The headlines blared: “Harper family’s second daughter-in-law leaves with ex, both head to work.”

his wife,

rekindled, Nathan’s wife

Nathan’s face turned ashen.

wonder the woman pitied

she emphasized his silent

those bar patrons looked at him

without a word, off to work sweetly

Yulia, well played.

in the car, and Nathan strode in, leaving the

but he soon reined himself in. Why should he care? Why should he be the one led by

rerouted to

atmosphere thick with unease. Everyone was on edge, and Nathan’s office was silent all day. Despite his work, no personal

for me at home. I’ll skip dinner,” said Yulia,

press the matter. “Bring Anya with you

her seat

really fond

“Yeah.”

the car door, but as she did, her movement

a bright light, and moths fluttered in its halo on the edge of visibility. The parking lot, however, remained

her chest as she squinted to get a better look, but before she could process the sight,

late. Yulia’s knee scraped the ground

this, Ronald immediately opened his door and got out of

good looks and tall, imposing stature exuded a

his earlier silence, Nathan now resembled a lion

before stepping forward, his voice steady. “Let

driven by fury,

staggered, his arm bracing

boy, he also developed an interest in some martial arts. Despite Damon being strict, he still learned a

trickled from the corner

from being abruptly pulled from the car, was

shirt, his expression and tone equally fierce. “Who gave you

fun with other women and now

a slap to Nathan’s face—a reminder of the previous

just knew Yulia hadn’t come home that night and found himself irrationally waiting for her here. There was no reason to

then Ronald kissed her. The fury found

did he feel? Still angry, with no relief in

undone in the scuffle. Every muscle in his body tensed with the impact of his punch. His clenched fists and the muscles straining against his

flashed through his mind, puncturing his heart. He knew he shouldn’t have gone to see her this morning, and he shouldn’t have let her draw

control.

no shame, do you? She is

wife to you? A doll in the house for you to mold as you

damn business. What’s it to

cold laughter cut through the tension. “I love her, does that

creaking with tension. That was when Yulia finally came to her senses, reaching for Nathan’s clenched hand on Ronald’s

looked at her hand trying to pry his away, his gaze shifting to