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.

out, 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

His son.

lightly touched Hugo’s furrowed brow, perhaps the coolness soothing the

child’s head, watching the peaceful face, Seth’s eyes softened with a

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.

child’s face, his

hesitated for a moment, then quickly

clothes and directed Seth as he changed the child. His movements, 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

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

stature and handsomeness.

child’s body, then carefully dressing him. During the process, he needed to lift Hugo to straighten the back of the shirt. In his half-awake state, Hugo let out a

hand grasp the collar of his

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

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

the awkward and uncomfortable

the child’s face, yet he felt the deep

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

*

Damon returned with Chloe, Seth was

seeing them, Seth

was a mask of indifference, but her heart

slightly downwards, resting on the grout between the tiles, his expression serene and deep.

he turned to leave, Chloe suddenly called out

he said

indeed remained silent

*

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

she had sent Seth away. She

towards the window, a clear sign she was waiting for someone. He offered to help.

distant. “Why would

was

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

his intentions,

going to

some warm milk for Cicely. It was ten

garden, his coat unbuttoned and draped over the bench, a pack of

long fingers held a half-smoked cigarette, with a

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

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

the bone. The darkness

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

a different person. All her pride, sarcasm, indifference, carelessness, intense hatred, and reckless love

and Seth stepped back, but she opened

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

apologized in a low, husky

lost

returned. Cicely hadn’t moved. He climbed into bed beside her, his movements gentle, not pulling her into his arms as

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

her grandfather’s surgery, her sleep had been

and distracted by her concern for her grandfather’s surgery. Seth

which had been charging overnight.

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

continued his meal,

tests and waiting for results, the surgery was

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

her slender figure and anxious expression making her seem

shoulders. “It’ll be okay. The surgeon is very

her body cold. The carefree façade from last night crumbled in

side for three

approached, escorted by bodyguards, her arms crossed. She wore

Cicely in Seth’s embrace at the operating room door, Danielle stopped, a hint

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

sarcasm was evident. “Then

pressed down with more force.

red. “So after three years of

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

flickered at the sight

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