The Enticing CEO’s Chosen Bride

Chloe furrowed her brow.

Seth’s gaze settled on her, his lips quirking in a half-smile. “You should know that I would never harm him.”

Chloe should understand that as the father of the child, he would never bring him harm.

Chloe’s eyes flickered, her expression guarded. “Did you ever intend to harm Cicely?”

Seth’s chest shuddered at the accusation.

Chloe didn’t want to pry into past scandals, nor did she wish to meddle in family affairs that were not hers to tend. But Hugo tethered her to a concern she couldn’t ignore.d2

The tales of the past were so vivid that a mere inquiry brought forth a slew of witnesses. Gleaning the gist was all too easy, especially with Damon, one of the involved parties, right by her side.

Her penetrating gaze and assertive presence were enough to make one feel overpowered. “To come out and to spend Thanksgiving with Cicely, he’s endured a fever until now, not saying a word for fear that something would change because he gets sick. Do you know who caused all this?”

Seth’s hands clenched in his pockets, his lips pressed into a thin line, and Chloe could see the tension etched across his face and body.

But she had to make her point clear; Hugo was just a child.

“You believe you wouldn’t harm him, but the damage is already done. How can anyone trust you now, Seth?”

He stood like a bow strung tightly, ready to snap at any moment.

“The deepest wounds in this world are often inflicted by those we love the most. And if there is a deeper pain, it’s when two people in love turn that love into a war. And that child was born on the battlefield of your struggles. The harm is done, and for that, neither of you deserves forgiveness. Don’t use your so-called love to hurt them again. If you can’t manage that, then stay away.” Chloe’s voice was cool and stern, imbued with solemn reproach.

After a long moment, the man who seemed carved from stone finally spoke, his voice a hoarse whisper.”I won’t…”

Won’t what?

Won’t harm them again?

In a sentence short of ten words, he managed only two.

Chloe’s eyes met his, filled with a tumultuous emotion, but she forced herself to look away indifferently. “It’s for the best.”

Damon pulled her into his embrace, casting a cursory glance at Seth. “Chloe is right.”

Seth remained silent.

Long after Damon and Chloe had left, Seth stirred his stiff body, slowly walked to the hospital room door, and gently placed his hand on the doorknob, followed by a prolonged silence. He hadn’t even considered the possibility that she would have a child with him in the present or the future.

If she wasn’t willing, he would never force her. As long as she was by his side, that was enough.

Cicely had actually borne him a child.

The doorknob creaked under his grip. After a while, with a click, the door to the hospital room opened.

Inside, a nurse stood watch. She stared at him with confusion and caution.

“Sir, may I ask who you are.”

Seth’s eyes were fixed on the small figure lying quietly on the large, soft bed. For the first time in his life, Seth didn’t know how to answer that question.

Who was he…

He lacked the right, and the courage, to utter those words.

Approaching the bed, the moment his gaze touched the child’s sleeping face, his heart skipped a beat before pounding like a drum.

No wonder Cicely had tried so hard to hide him.

No wonder Chloe had been so forthright earlier.

He could never remain oblivious to this child’s existence. Just one look, and the truth was self-evident.

“Are you the child’s father?” the nurse asked with a soft smile. “The little one is the spitting image of you.”

Seth remained silent.

So it was.

He watched Hugo for a long time. The eyebrows and the nose—they were all his.

feverish, beads of sweat covering the flushed face. His large, well-defined hand could almost cradle the small face

His son.

lightly touched Hugo’s furrowed brow, perhaps the coolness soothing the persistent fever, as the child’s frown

on the child’s head, watching the peaceful face, Seth’s eyes

the sleeping child, letting out a relieved sigh. “Sir, the child is breaking the fever; I need to change

child’s

nurse hesitated for a moment, then quickly

it under control, the nurse fetched a basin of warm water and a

father so hands-on. Usually, it’s the grandmothers or the mothers who

he’s a man of such stature and handsomeness. Indeed, appearances can

then carefully dressing him. During the process, he needed to lift Hugo to straighten the back of the shirt. In his

small hand

and that instinctive murmur sent a

fall asleep again. But one hand

move, maintaining the awkward and uncomfortable

face, yet he felt the deep helplessness and lack

forehead against Hugo’s, Seth’s throat tightened. Chloe was right;

*

Seth was waiting

them, Seth asked. “What’s his

mask of indifference, but her heart ached

eyes shifted slightly downwards, resting on the grout

he turned to leave, Chloe suddenly called out

she could speak, he said calmly, “I won’t use the kid as a

remained silent

*

phone battery had died. She had borrowed a charger from

since she had sent Seth away. She didn’t believe he

window, a clear sign she was waiting for someone. He offered to help. “Ms.

her expression distant. “Why would his

was either. I’m not sure

her lips, her face darkened. “Charlie, everyone knows you’re loyal to him. There’s no need to constantly remind me, making him out to be some pitiable soul. Do you think he’s

his intentions, fell

going to

come in to prepare some warm milk for Cicely. It was

indeed as Charlie described, sitting on a wooden bench in the hospital’s garden, his coat unbuttoned

held a half-smoked cigarette, with a collection

upon closer inspection, the cigarette between his fingers was crushed out of shape, and

was empty. He leaned back, crushed the

late October numbed to the bone. The darkness was filled with a heavy

time he returned to Cicely’s room, she was lying quietly on the bed. He approached,

a different person. All her pride, sarcasm, indifference, carelessness, intense hatred, and reckless love were all

and Seth stepped back, but she opened her eyes

gaze cold and dismissive. “The smell of cigarette on you is disgusting.” Her voice was cool and detached, not at

apologized in a low, husky voice, then quickly entered the

still, lost in

climbed into bed beside her, his movements gentle, not pulling her into his arms as he

embrace, but minutes passed with no such move. She didn’t remember falling asleep, but

surgery, her

breakfast. She was a little pale and distracted by her concern for her grandfather’s surgery. Seth called her

had been charging overnight. There were several missed calls from

her, as she thought of Hugo. She wanted to return the calls, but seeing

meal, his

waiting for results, the surgery

spent the morning by her grandfather’s side, silent, watching the

quiet as she accompanied him to the operating room, her slender figure and anxious expression making

her shoulders. “It’ll be okay.

The carefree façade from last night crumbled in the face

by his side for three years. If something went wrong with the surgery, she would

approached, escorted by bodyguards, her arms crossed. She wore a sterile suit, her

the operating room door,

of Seth’s arms. “If you don’t want

was evident.

force. “Cicely, I said no,” Seth’s voice was low and authoritative, brooking no

him, then suddenly laughed, her face pale, her eyes red. “So after three years of playing along, you can’t even pretend

men

the sight of these

had not encountered before. Clearly, Seth’s worry for her was so profound that he deliberately arranged for them to be present during the