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

His son.

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

child’s head, watching the peaceful

his position, standing by the bed for a long while. The nurse, having waited patiently, finally approached to check on the

child’s

for a moment, then quickly

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 down. Seth watched for a while, then took the towel

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

man of such stature

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

a small hand grasp

voice echoed in his ear, and that instinctive

back in bed, the child seemed to fall asleep again. But one hand kept

didn’t move, maintaining the awkward and

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

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

*

Chloe, Seth was waiting

Seth asked. “What’s his

of indifference, but her heart

resting on the grout

to leave,

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

remained silent

*

had borrowed a charger from

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

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

her expression distant. “Why would his whereabouts

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

you’re loyal to him. There’s no need to constantly remind me, making him out

his intentions, fell

I’m going to

prepare some warm milk for

as Charlie described, sitting on a wooden bench in the hospital’s garden, his coat unbuttoned and draped over the bench, a pack of cigarettes and a lighter lay discarded

cigarette, with a collection of stubs at

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

another until the pack was empty. He leaned back,

late October numbed to the bone.

time he returned to Cicely’s room, she was lying quietly on the bed. He approached, gazing

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

Seth stepped

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

Seth apologized in a low, husky voice, then quickly entered the

lay still, lost in her

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

move. She didn’t remember falling asleep, but when she awoke, Seth was already

about her grandfather’s surgery, her sleep had

up breakfast. She was a little pale and distracted by her concern for her grandfather’s surgery. Seth called her to breakfast with a detached tone. She didn’t

her phone, which had been

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

continued his meal,

a morning of tests and waiting for results, the surgery was

grandfather’s side, silent, watching the

the operating room, her slender figure and anxious expression making her seem even more

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

felt weak with nervousness, her body cold. The carefree façade from last night crumbled

hadn’t been by his side for three

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

room door, Danielle stopped,

out of Seth’s arms.

sarcasm was evident. “Then go

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

coldly at him, then suddenly laughed, her face pale, her eyes red. “So after three years of playing along, you can’t

didn’t look at her, instead focusing on two tall men in sterile suits at the operating room door.

flickered at the sight

her was so profound that he deliberately arranged for them to be present during the