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.

sweat covering the

His son.

furrowed brow, perhaps the coolness soothing the persistent

to rest on the child’s head, watching the peaceful face, Seth’s

long while. The nurse, having waited patiently, finally approached to check on the sleeping child, letting out a relieved sigh. “Sir, the child is breaking

the child’s face, his voice a deep rasp. “I’ll do

nurse hesitated for a moment, then quickly

cautious at first for fear 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

father so

man of such stature and handsomeness. Indeed, appearances

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

small hand grasp the collar of his

child’s sleepy voice echoed in his ear, and that instinctive murmur

Hugo back in bed, the child seemed to fall asleep again. But one

the awkward and

he felt the deep helplessness and lack of security emanating

throat tightened. Chloe was right;

*

returned with Chloe, Seth

Seth asked.

of indifference, but her heart ached at

grout between the

As he turned to leave, Chloe suddenly

his back still to her. Before she could speak, he said calmly, “I won’t use the kid as a bargaining

remained silent

*

borrowed a charger from Charlie and

hours since she had sent Seth away. She didn’t believe he would actually go home to rest by

waiting for someone.

her expression distant. “Why

Diaz didn’t tell me where he was either. I’m not sure what corner of the hospital he’s

her lips, her face darkened. “Charlie, everyone knows you’re loyal to him. There’s no need to constantly remind me, making him

caught in his

going

warm milk for Cicely. It was ten o’clock, and he didn’t

garden, his coat unbuttoned and draped

cigarette, with a collection

of tranquility. But upon closer inspection, the cigarette between his fingers was crushed out of shape, and the ground was littered

after another until the pack was empty. He leaned

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

lying quietly on the bed. He approached, gazing down at her delicate and peaceful face with a

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

stepped

“The smell of cigarette on you is disgusting.” Her voice was cool and detached, not at all like someone rudely awakened from

in a low, husky voice, then

lost in her

climbed into bed beside her, his movements gentle, not pulling her into

move. She didn’t remember falling asleep, but when she awoke, Seth

surgery, her

and distracted by her concern

breakfast, she powered on her phone, which had been charging overnight. There were several missed

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

his meal, his face

a morning of tests and waiting for results, the surgery was

side, silent, watching the old

room, her

her shoulders. “It’ll

body cold. The carefree façade from last night crumbled

side for three years.

her arms crossed. She wore a

the operating room door, Danielle stopped, a

arms. “If you don’t want

evident. “Then go

the hand on her shoulder pressed down with more force. “Cicely, I said no,” Seth’s voice was low and authoritative, brooking

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

her, instead focusing on two tall men in sterile

the sight

her was so profound that he deliberately