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 cradle the small

His son.

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

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

the sleeping child,

child’s face, his voice

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 basin of warm water and a towel to wipe the child

a smile, “I’ve rarely seen a father so hands-on. Usually, it’s the grandmothers or the mothers

he’s a man of such stature and handsomeness.

he needed to lift Hugo to straighten the

feeling a small hand grasp the collar of

in his ear, and that instinctive murmur sent

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

maintaining the

child’s face, yet he felt the

pressing his forehead against Hugo’s, Seth’s throat tightened. Chloe was right; the

*

Seth was waiting

them, Seth asked.

face was a mask of indifference, but her heart ached

resting on the grout between the tiles, his expression serene and

turned to leave, Chloe suddenly

his back still to her. Before she could speak, he

remained

*

had died. She had borrowed a

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

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

frowned slightly, her expression distant. “Why would his whereabouts concern

“Mr. Diaz didn’t tell me where he was either. I’m

knows you’re loyal to him. There’s no need to constantly

his intentions, fell

I’m going

just come in to prepare some warm milk for Cicely. It was ten

wooden bench in the hospital’s garden, his coat unbuttoned and draped over the bench, a

with a collection of stubs

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

one cigarette after another until the pack was empty. He leaned back, crushed the packet, tossed

of late October numbed to the

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

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

Seth stepped back,

you is disgusting.” Her voice was cool and detached, not at all like

in a low, husky voice, then quickly entered

lost in her

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

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

surgery,

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

phone, which had been charging overnight.

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

continued his meal,

of tests and waiting for

watching the old man’s gaunt and weary

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

shoulders. “It’ll be

cold. The carefree façade from last night crumbled in the face of today’s

his side for three

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

room door, Danielle stopped, a hint of a smile on her

arms. “If you don’t want

evident. “Then go

force.

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

on two tall men in

eyes flickered at the sight

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