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.

covering the flushed face. His large, well-defined hand could almost cradle the

His son.

the coolness soothing the persistent fever, as the child’s

peaceful face, Seth’s eyes softened with a tenderness he hadn’t realized he

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

fingers twitched, his gaze locked on the child’s face, his voice a deep

hesitated for a moment, then quickly

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

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

of such stature and handsomeness. Indeed, appearances

he needed to lift Hugo

hand grasp

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

the child seemed to fall asleep again. But one hand

move, maintaining the

couldn’t see the child’s face, yet he felt the deep helplessness and lack of security emanating from this

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

*

Damon returned with Chloe, Seth

Seth asked. “What’s

indifference, but her heart ached at

grout between the

he turned to leave,

she could speak, he said calmly, “I

indeed remained silent

*

phone battery had died. She had borrowed a charger from Charlie and it was nearly ten

had been over two hours since she had sent Seth away. She didn’t believe he would actually go

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

slightly, her expression distant. “Why would his whereabouts

where he was either. I’m not sure

no need to constantly remind me, making him out to be some pitiable soul. Do you think

his intentions,

going to

milk for Cicely. It was ten o’clock,

his coat unbuttoned and draped over the bench, a pack

cigarette, with

closer inspection, the cigarette between his fingers was crushed

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

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

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

carelessness, intense hatred, and reckless love

slightly, and Seth stepped back,

gaze cold and dismissive. “The smell of cigarette on you is disgusting.” Her voice was cool and detached, not

Seth apologized in a low, husky voice, then

lost in

Cicely hadn’t moved. He climbed into bed beside her, his movements gentle,

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

surgery, her sleep

set up breakfast. She was a little pale and distracted by her concern for her

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

return the calls, but seeing Seth, she

meal,

tests and waiting for

spent the morning by her grandfather’s side, silent, watching the

the operating room, her slender figure and anxious

arm around her shoulders. “It’ll be

her body cold. The carefree façade from last

his side for three years. If something

arms crossed. She wore a sterile suit, her expression calm yet

room door, Danielle stopped, a hint of

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

sarcasm was evident.

her shoulder pressed down with more force. “Cicely, I said no,” Seth’s

him, then suddenly laughed, her face pale, her eyes red. “So after three years of

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

the sight of these

her was so profound that he deliberately arranged for them to be present during the surgery to keep an eye