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.

out, his hand gently touched Hugo’s forehead. The forehead was still feverish, beads of sweat covering

His son.

perhaps the coolness soothing the

on the child’s head, watching the peaceful face, Seth’s eyes softened with a tenderness he hadn’t

patiently, finally approached to check on the sleeping child, letting

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

a moment, then

little one, soon became more confident. Once he seemed to have it under control, the nurse fetched a basin of warm water and

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

stature and handsomeness. Indeed,

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

stiffened, feeling a small hand grasp the

in his ear, and that instinctive murmur

back in bed, the child seemed to fall asleep

maintaining the awkward and

he felt the deep helplessness and lack

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

*

Seth was waiting at

them, Seth asked. “What’s

was a mask of indifference, but her heart ached at the question coming from

slightly downwards, resting on the grout

to leave, Chloe suddenly

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

indeed remained

*

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

she had sent Seth away. She didn’t believe he would actually go

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

slightly, her expression distant. “Why would

me where he was either.

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

his intentions, fell

going

milk for Cicely.

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

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

relaxed, the very picture of tranquility. But upon closer inspection, the cigarette

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

the

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

carelessness, intense

furrowed slightly, and Seth stepped

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

a low, husky voice, then

lost in

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

such move. She didn’t

surgery, her sleep had

distracted by her concern for her grandfather’s surgery. Seth called her to

her phone, which had been

to return the calls, but seeing Seth, she

continued his meal, his face

tests and waiting for results, the surgery was scheduled for the

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

as she accompanied him to the operating room, her slender

arm around her shoulders. “It’ll be

The carefree façade

his side for three years. If something went wrong

escorted by bodyguards, her arms crossed. She wore

door, Danielle stopped, a hint of a

stepping out of Seth’s arms. “If you

sarcasm was evident. “Then go

with more force. “Cicely, I said no,” Seth’s voice was low and

then suddenly laughed, her face pale, her eyes red. “So after three years of playing along, you can’t even pretend anymore for

focusing on two tall men in sterile suits at the operating room door.

the

Seth’s worry for her was so profound that he deliberately arranged for them to be