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.

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

His son.

brow, perhaps the coolness soothing

peaceful

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 fever; I need to change his sweaty clothes. If

gaze locked on the child’s face, his voice a deep rasp. “I’ll

a moment, then quickly

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 wipe the child down. Seth watched for a while, then took

rarely seen a father so hands-on. Usually, it’s the

of such stature and handsomeness. Indeed, appearances can be

child’s body, then carefully dressing him. During the process, he needed to lift Hugo

small hand grasp the collar of his

ear, and that instinctive murmur sent a pang through Seth’s

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

move, maintaining the

he felt the deep helplessness and lack

Seth’s throat tightened. Chloe was right; the harm had

*

Chloe, Seth was waiting at the

Seth asked. “What’s his

heart ached at the question coming from

grout between the tiles,

leave, Chloe suddenly

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

indeed remained silent

*

phone battery had died. She had borrowed a charger from Charlie and

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

was waiting for someone. He offered to help.

slightly, her expression distant. “Why would his whereabouts

where he was either. I’m not sure what corner of the hospital he’s holed up

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

in his

going

for Cicely.

on a wooden bench in the hospital’s garden, his coat

with a collection of stubs

the very picture of tranquility. But upon closer inspection, the cigarette between his

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

the bone. The darkness was filled

returned to Cicely’s room, she was lying quietly on the bed. He approached, gazing down at her delicate and peaceful face with

her pride, sarcasm, indifference, carelessness, intense hatred, and reckless love

and Seth stepped back, but she opened her

is disgusting.” Her

apologized in a low, husky

lay still, lost in her

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

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

her grandfather’s surgery, her sleep had

freshening up, Cicely found Charlie had set up breakfast. She was a little pale and distracted by

been charging overnight. There were

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

meal, his face

and waiting for results, the surgery was scheduled for

her grandfather’s side, silent, watching

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

around her shoulders. “It’ll

carefree façade from

by his side for three years. If something

bodyguards, her arms crossed. She wore a sterile suit, her expression

room door, Danielle stopped, a hint of a smile

arms. “If you don’t want to,

evident. “Then go

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

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

two tall men in sterile suits at the operating room door.

flickered at the sight

men she had not encountered before. Clearly, Seth’s worry for her was so profound that