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.

was still feverish, beads of sweat covering the flushed face. His

His son.

perhaps the coolness soothing the persistent

watching the peaceful face, Seth’s eyes softened with

having waited patiently, finally approached to check on the sleeping child, letting out a relieved sigh. “Sir, the child is

locked on the child’s

nurse hesitated for a moment, then quickly

under control, the nurse fetched a basin of warm water and a

“I’ve rarely seen a father so

a man of such stature and

the child’s body, then carefully dressing him. During the process, he needed to lift Hugo to straighten the back of the shirt.

feeling a small hand grasp the collar of his

echoed in his ear, and that instinctive murmur sent a pang

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

didn’t move, maintaining the

say anything. He couldn’t see the child’s face, yet he felt the deep helplessness and lack of security

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

*

returned with Chloe, Seth

seeing them, Seth asked. “What’s

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

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

As he turned to leave, Chloe

speak, he said calmly, “I won’t use the kid as a bargaining

remained

*

a charger from Charlie and it was

away. She didn’t believe he would actually go home to

a clear sign she was waiting for someone. He offered to help.

her expression distant. “Why would

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

her face darkened. “Charlie, everyone knows you’re loyal to him. There’s no need to constantly remind me, making him out to be some pitiable soul. Do you

his intentions,

going

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

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

fingers held a half-smoked cigarette, with a collection

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

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

the bone. The

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

carelessness, intense hatred, and reckless love were all

Seth stepped back, but she

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

husky voice,

lay still, lost in her

moved. He climbed into bed beside her,

but minutes passed with no such move. She didn’t remember

surgery, her sleep had

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

breakfast, she powered on her phone, which had been charging

She wanted to return the calls, but seeing Seth, she

his meal,

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

by her grandfather’s side, silent, watching the

her slender figure and anxious expression making her seem even

shoulders. “It’ll be okay. The

her body cold. The carefree façade from last night crumbled in the

only her grandfather left. She hadn’t been by his side for three years. If something went wrong with the surgery,

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

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

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

evident. “Then go

Cicely could move, the hand on her shoulder pressed down with more force.

her eyes red. “So after three

men in sterile suits at the operating room door. “Take

flickered at the sight of

men she had not encountered before. Clearly, Seth’s worry for her was so profound that