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.

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 in

His son.

furrowed brow, perhaps the coolness soothing

the peaceful face,

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

locked on the child’s face, his voice a

hesitated for a moment,

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 wipe the child

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

man of such stature and handsomeness. Indeed, appearances can

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

small hand

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

to fall asleep again.

move, maintaining the awkward and uncomfortable

yet he felt the

his forehead against Hugo’s, Seth’s throat tightened. Chloe was right; the harm had

*

Chloe, Seth

Seth asked.

but her heart ached at the question coming

on the grout between

As he turned to leave, Chloe suddenly called

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

remained

*

She had borrowed a charger

sent Seth away. She didn’t believe

was waiting for someone. He offered to help. “Ms. Cicely, should I go look for

expression distant.

genuine. “Mr. Diaz didn’t tell me where he was either. I’m not sure what corner of the

need to constantly remind me, making him out to be some pitiable soul. Do you think he’s the type to seek

in his intentions, fell

going

to prepare some warm milk for Cicely. It was ten o’clock, and

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

with

features relaxed, the very picture of tranquility. But upon closer inspection, the cigarette between his fingers was crushed

until the pack was empty. He leaned back, crushed the packet, tossed

October numbed to the bone. The darkness was filled with

the bed. He approached, gazing down

carelessness, intense hatred,

Seth stepped back,

smell of cigarette on you is disgusting.” Her voice was cool and detached, not at all

a low, husky voice,

still, lost in

bed beside her, his movements gentle,

for his embrace, but minutes passed with no such move. She didn’t remember falling asleep, but when she awoke, Seth

grandfather’s surgery, her sleep

distracted by her concern for her grandfather’s

her phone, which had been charging overnight. There were several missed calls

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

continued his meal, his face

and waiting for results, the surgery was scheduled for the

grandfather’s side, silent, watching the

room, her slender figure

an arm around her shoulders. “It’ll be okay.

weak with nervousness, her body cold. The carefree façade from last night crumbled in the face of today’s

by his side for three

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

room door, Danielle stopped, a hint of a

of Seth’s arms. “If you don’t want to,

sarcasm was evident.

on her shoulder pressed down with more force. “Cicely, I said no,”

glanced coldly at him, then suddenly laughed, her face pale, her eyes red. “So after three years of playing along, you can’t even pretend anymore for this one last

instead focusing on two tall men in sterile suits at the

at the

her was so profound that