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.

gently touched Hugo’s forehead. The forehead was still feverish, beads of sweat covering the flushed face. His large, well-defined hand could almost cradle

His son.

Hugo’s furrowed brow, perhaps the coolness soothing

the child’s head, watching the peaceful face,

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

locked on the child’s face, his voice a deep

a

of disturbing the little one, soon became more confident. Once he seemed to have it under control, the nurse fetched a basin of warm water and a towel to wipe the child down. Seth watched for

nurse watched with a smile, “I’ve rarely seen a father so hands-on. Usually, it’s the grandmothers

man of such stature

to lift Hugo to straighten the back of the shirt. In his half-awake

feeling a small hand grasp the

in his ear, and that instinctive murmur sent a pang through

to fall asleep again. But one hand kept gripping his collar, refusing to

move, maintaining the awkward and

felt the deep helplessness and lack of security emanating

forehead against Hugo’s, Seth’s throat tightened.

*

Chloe, Seth was

them, Seth asked. “What’s

but her heart ached at the question

dark eyes shifted slightly downwards, resting on the grout between

turned to leave, Chloe suddenly

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

remained silent

*

borrowed a

sent Seth away. She didn’t believe he would actually go

noticed Cicely’s frequent glances towards the window, a clear sign she was waiting for someone. He

distant. “Why would

concern genuine. “Mr. Diaz didn’t tell me where he was

him. There’s no need to constantly remind me, making him out to be some pitiable soul. Do you think he’s the

caught in his

I’m going

some warm milk for Cicely. It was ten

wooden bench in the hospital’s garden, his coat unbuttoned and draped over the bench, a pack

fingers held a half-smoked cigarette, with a collection of

tranquility. But upon closer inspection, the cigarette between

one cigarette after another until the pack was empty. He leaned back, crushed the packet, tossed it aside,

the bone. The

bed. He approached, gazing down at her delicate and peaceful face

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

brows furrowed slightly, and Seth stepped

“The smell of cigarette on you is disgusting.” Her voice was cool and

low, husky voice,

still, lost in her

her, his movements gentle, not pulling

for his embrace, but minutes passed with no such move. She didn’t

about her grandfather’s surgery, her sleep had been

little pale and distracted by her concern

which had been charging overnight. There were

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

continued his meal, his face

of tests and waiting for results,

grandfather’s side, silent, watching the old man’s gaunt and weary face,

room, her slender figure and anxious expression making her

arm around her shoulders. “It’ll be okay. The surgeon is

cold. The carefree façade from last night

grandfather left. She hadn’t been by his side for three years. If something went wrong with the surgery, she

arms crossed. She wore a

operating room door, Danielle stopped, a hint of

straightened up, stepping out of Seth’s arms. “If you

was evident.

shoulder pressed down with more force. “Cicely, I said no,” Seth’s

“So after three years of playing along, you can’t even pretend anymore for this

didn’t look at her, instead focusing on two tall men in sterile suits at the operating room door. “Take

flickered at the sight

encountered before. Clearly, Seth’s worry for her was so profound that he deliberately arranged for them to be present during the surgery