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.

feverish, beads of sweat covering the flushed face. His large,

His son.

perhaps the coolness soothing the persistent fever, as the

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

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

twitched, his gaze locked on the child’s face, his voice a deep rasp. “I’ll

hesitated for a

soon became more confident. Once he seemed to have it under control, the nurse fetched a basin

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

of such stature and handsomeness. Indeed, appearances can

drying the 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

hand grasp the

The child’s sleepy voice echoed in his ear, and that instinctive

settling Hugo back in bed, the child seemed to fall asleep again. But one

the

yet he felt the deep helplessness and lack of security

throat tightened.

*

Chloe, Seth was waiting at the

seeing them, Seth

of indifference, but her heart ached at the question

dark eyes shifted slightly downwards, resting on the grout between

As he turned to leave, Chloe suddenly called out to

Before she could speak, he

remained

*

had died. She had borrowed a charger from Charlie and it

away. She didn’t believe

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

frowned slightly, her expression distant. “Why

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

to constantly remind me, making him

in his intentions,

I’m going

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

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

a half-smoked cigarette, with a collection of stubs at

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

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

the bone. The darkness was filled with a heavy

the bed. He approached, gazing down at her delicate and peaceful face with a tranquil

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

Seth stepped

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

a low, husky voice, then quickly entered

still, lost

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

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

about her grandfather’s surgery, her sleep

Cicely found Charlie had set up breakfast. She was a little pale and distracted by her concern for her grandfather’s surgery. Seth called her to

been

Hugo. She wanted to return the

continued his meal, his

and waiting for results, the surgery was

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

remained quiet as she accompanied him to the operating room, her slender figure and anxious

“It’ll be

with nervousness, her body cold. The carefree façade from

side for three

arms crossed. She wore a sterile suit, her

room door, Danielle stopped,

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

was evident. “Then

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

after three years of playing along, you can’t even pretend anymore

her, instead focusing on two tall men in sterile suits at the operating

the sight of

that he deliberately arranged for them to be present during