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.

sweat covering the flushed face. His large, well-defined hand could almost cradle the small

His son.

Hugo’s furrowed brow, perhaps the coolness

on the child’s head, watching the peaceful

check on the sleeping child, letting out a relieved sigh.

locked on the child’s face, his voice a deep

for a moment, then

clothes and 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 down. Seth

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

he’s a man of such stature and handsomeness. Indeed, appearances

dressing him. During the process, he needed to lift Hugo to straighten the back of the shirt. In his half-awake state, Hugo let out

feeling a small hand grasp the

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

to fall asleep again.

the awkward

yet he felt the deep helplessness and lack of security emanating from this little

against Hugo’s, Seth’s throat tightened. Chloe was

*

with Chloe, Seth

seeing them, Seth asked. “What’s

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

shifted slightly downwards, resting on the grout between the tiles, his expression

turned to leave, Chloe suddenly called out

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

indeed remained silent

*

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

sent Seth away.

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

slightly, her expression distant. “Why would his

was either. I’m not sure what

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 think he’s

in his intentions, fell

going to

just come in to prepare some warm milk for Cicely. It was ten o’clock, and

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

half-smoked cigarette, with

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

pack was empty. He leaned back,

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

lying quietly on the bed. He approached, gazing down at her

carelessness, intense hatred, and reckless love were all

and Seth stepped back,

at him, her gaze cold and dismissive. “The smell of cigarette on you is disgusting.” Her voice was

in a low, husky voice, then

lost in her

He climbed into bed beside her, his movements

minutes passed with no such move. She

her grandfather’s surgery, her sleep had

a little pale and distracted by her

which had been charging overnight. There were several missed calls from

as she thought of Hugo. She wanted to return the calls, but seeing Seth, she hesitated, then pocketed

his meal, his face

and waiting for results, the surgery was scheduled for

watching the old man’s gaunt

room, her slender figure and anxious expression making her seem

shoulders. “It’ll be okay.

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

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

She wore a sterile

room door, Danielle

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

evident.

hand on her shoulder pressed down with more force. “Cicely, I said

red. “So after three years of playing

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

eyes flickered at the sight

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