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.

of sweat covering the flushed face. His large, well-defined hand could

His son.

the coolness soothing the persistent fever, as

hand came to rest on the child’s head, watching the peaceful face, Seth’s eyes softened with a tenderness he

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

on the child’s

a moment, then quickly

to have it under control, the nurse fetched a basin of warm water

smile, “I’ve rarely seen a father so hands-on. Usually,

of such stature and

lift Hugo to straighten the back of the shirt. In his half-awake state, Hugo let out

small hand grasp the collar of his

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

child seemed to fall asleep again. But one hand kept gripping his collar, refusing

move, maintaining the awkward and uncomfortable

yet he felt the deep helplessness and lack of

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

*

Damon returned with Chloe, Seth was waiting at the

Seth

mask of indifference, but her heart ached

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

As he turned to leave, Chloe

speak, he said calmly, “I won’t use

indeed remained silent

*

died. She had borrowed a charger from Charlie and it

had sent Seth away.

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

distant. “Why would his whereabouts concern

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

There’s no need to constantly remind me, making him out to be some pitiable soul. Do you think he’s the type to seek

in his

going to

warm milk for Cicely. It was ten o’clock,

coat unbuttoned and draped over the bench, a pack of

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

inspection, the cigarette between his fingers was crushed out of

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

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

bed. He approached, gazing down

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

and Seth stepped back,

stared at him, her gaze cold and dismissive. “The smell of cigarette on you is disgusting.” Her voice was cool and detached, not at all like

low, husky voice, then

still, lost in

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

move. She didn’t remember falling

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

which had been charging overnight. There

She wanted to return the calls, but seeing Seth,

continued his meal, his

morning of tests and waiting for results, the

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

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

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

façade from last night

side for three years.

bodyguards, her arms crossed. She wore

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

of Seth’s arms. “If

sarcasm 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

red. “So after three years of playing

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

eyes flickered at the sight of

profound that he deliberately arranged for them to be present during the surgery to keep an