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.

hand 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 the small face

His son.

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

his hand came to rest on the child’s head, watching the peaceful face, Seth’s eyes softened with a tenderness he hadn’t

the bed for a long while. The nurse, having waited patiently, finally approached to check on the sleeping child, letting

on the child’s face, his voice a deep rasp.

nurse hesitated for a moment, then

one, soon became more confident. Once he seemed to have it under control,

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

such stature and handsomeness. Indeed, appearances can

lift Hugo

a small hand grasp the collar

ear, and that instinctive murmur sent

Hugo back in bed, the child seemed to fall asleep again. But one hand kept gripping his collar, refusing to

move, maintaining the

face, yet he felt the deep helplessness and lack of security

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

*

Damon returned with Chloe, Seth was

them, Seth asked. “What’s his

was a mask of indifference, but her heart ached at the

dark eyes shifted slightly downwards, resting on the grout between the

leave, Chloe suddenly called out to

could speak, he

indeed remained silent after

*

a charger

been over two hours since she had sent Seth away. She didn’t

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

expression distant. “Why would

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

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

caught in his intentions, fell

going

prepare some warm milk for Cicely. It

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

cigarette, with

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

was empty. He leaned back, crushed

October numbed to the bone. The darkness was filled

on the bed. He approached, gazing down at her delicate

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

slightly, and Seth stepped back, but she opened

her gaze cold and dismissive. “The smell of cigarette on you is disgusting.” Her voice

apologized in a low, husky voice,

still, lost

hadn’t moved. He climbed into bed beside her,

braced herself for his embrace, but minutes passed with no such move. She

her grandfather’s surgery, her

Charlie had set up breakfast. She was a little pale and distracted by her

which had been charging

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

his meal, his

and waiting for results, the surgery was scheduled for the

side, silent, watching the old man’s

her slender figure and anxious expression making her seem even more

“It’ll be

façade from last night crumbled in

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

She wore a sterile suit, her expression

Cicely in Seth’s embrace at the operating room door,

up, stepping out of Seth’s arms. “If you don’t want to, I’ll

evident. “Then go

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

her eyes red. “So after three years of playing along,

focusing on two tall men in sterile suits at the operating room door. “Take her

flickered at the

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