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 small face

His son.

furrowed brow, perhaps the coolness soothing the persistent fever, as the child’s

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

the sleeping child, letting out a relieved sigh. “Sir, the child is breaking the

the child’s

nurse hesitated for a moment, then

he seemed to have it under control, the nurse fetched a basin of warm water and a towel

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

of such stature and

the process, he needed to lift Hugo to straighten the back of the shirt. In his half-awake state,

hand grasp the collar of

and that instinctive murmur sent a pang through Seth’s

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

move, maintaining the awkward and

child’s face, yet he felt the deep helplessness

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

*

Damon returned with Chloe, Seth was

seeing them, Seth asked.

heart ached at the question coming from

dark eyes shifted slightly downwards, resting on the grout between

turned to leave, Chloe suddenly called out to

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

indeed remained silent after

*

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

over two hours since she had sent Seth away.

frequent glances towards the window, a clear sign she was waiting for someone. He offered to help. “Ms. Cicely, should I

distant. “Why would his whereabouts

was either. I’m not sure what corner of the

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

caught in his intentions, fell

going to

milk for Cicely. It

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

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

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

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

chill of late October numbed to the

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

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

Seth stepped back, but she opened her

on you is disgusting.” Her voice was cool and

low, husky voice, then quickly entered

still, lost in

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

with no such move. She didn’t remember falling asleep,

about her grandfather’s surgery, her

by her concern for her grandfather’s surgery. Seth called her to breakfast with a detached

phone, which had been charging

return the calls,

his meal,

and waiting for results, the

grandfather’s side, silent, watching the

room, her slender figure and anxious

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

with nervousness, her body cold. The carefree façade from

been by his side for three years. If something went wrong with the surgery, she would never forgive

bodyguards, her arms crossed. She wore a sterile suit, her expression

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

arms. “If you

sarcasm was evident.

on her shoulder pressed down with more force.

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

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

flickered at the sight

worry for her was so profound that he deliberately arranged for them to