The Enticing CEO’s Chosen Bride

Erik’s condition was stable, and Cicely had been by his side in the hospital room for two hours.

“There are plenty of people here; go get some rest.” Seth had been there with her the entire time, glancing at his watch over and over until he finally spoke up in a deep voice.

Cicely shook her head, refusing to leave.

The room fell silent once again, the sounds of the medical equipment becoming all the more pronounced.

After a while, Seth stood up from the couch and walked over to her. “Come on, I’ll drive you home.”

Impatience flickered across Cicely’s face. “Are you done?”d2

Seth stared at the strands of her hair caught in the light above her, his expression indifferent. “Weren’t you supposed to go to Alyssa’s for Thanksgiving?”

Cicely’s complexion stiffened instantly. Her mind exploded with the shock.

Hugo?!

Sensing her body tense up, Seth lowered his gaze, his voice growing hoarse. “Grandpa has someone here to look after him, and you can rest easy. Since you promised to spend Thanksgiving with them, don’t keep them waiting. It’s not right.”

He paused for a moment, then slowly reached out and rested his hand on her shoulder. “I’ll take you there.”

“No need!”

Cicely jerked to her feet as if stung, shaking off Seth’s hand. Realizing she had overreacted, her eyes flickered and she changed her tone. “I mean, I’ll go back on my own.”

Seth pursed his lips, his gaze locked on her tense face, and after a moment of silence, he said in a raspy voice, “I’ll just drive you there. I won’t come in, okay?”

Cicely’s eyes trembled unexpectedly. She thought she had misheard. Ever since she first met Seth when she was younger, she had never heard such pleading and inquiry in his voice.

What’s more, he had everything nowadays, with power in his hands and calling the shots, and this submissive tone didn’t seem like it should come from him.

But why? Just to drive her home, he was putting on this act.

“What if I say no?”

Seth’s gaze lowered, his voice sounding like it was dragged out of him, “It’s Thanksgiving today, we could spend a little time.”

“You said you wouldn’t come in.”

“Not going in.” Seth stepped forward and gripped her arm, his dark eyes locking onto her glowing and radiant face. His husky voice seemed to come through a dense fog, “We’ll celebrate on the road.”

Cicely watched him silently for a while. After a long pause, she looked away, her voice calm and cold when she spoke again. “If I disagree, are you planning to drag this out all night?”

Seth pressed his lips together and remained silent.

Maybe that was his plan.

*

Once inside the car, Cicely leaned back in her seat, staring out the window expressionlessly. Seth got in from the other side, and the two sat at a distance from each other.

Halfway through the journey, silence reigned. Charlie, driving the car, felt the atmosphere was so oppressive it was suffocating.

Mr. Erik had pulled through, but were these two just planning to keep this deadlock? Both so stubborn, how would this end?

Cicely’s hand, resting by her side, was clenched tight. She didn’t trust Seth, or perhaps, she feared a “mishap” more.

Everything from three years ago came without warning, including her worries outside the operating room today, and even now. Even if Seth really did as he said and didn’t come in, she couldn’t predict what else might happen.

If he crossed that threshold, she couldn’t imagine what she’d have to face.

But she had to go back. She had promised Hugo to celebrate with him. No matter how difficult, she couldn’t break her word. Otherwise, her Hugo would be disappointed, sad, upset, and might even cry in secret.

The thought that there might be a chance of that made her heart cramp in pain. Those days of crying in secret were so heartbreaking. She couldn’t let that happen.

With a few visible teeth marks on her lower lip, she watched the car move forward, and the tension in her head grew tighter.

Beside her, there was a rustling sound, but she was too preoccupied to notice. After a short while, Seth’s hand came into view. She looked down to see a long, slender finger holding a half-eaten apple pie.

“You’ll probably have more to eat later, so just have half for now.”

A low, mellow voice filled the car, tinged with a hint of subdued pleasure. Cicely paused, turning to look at the man. In the dim light of the car, she could only make out half of his face. His dark eyes watched her quietly, simply wanting her to take the pie.

She looked back at the pie, her eyes flickering, and reached out to take it. He had said they would celebrate Thanksgiving on the road.

Under his unwavering gaze, she took a small bite. Seeing her eat, Seth allowed himself a small smile, glanced at the remaining half of the pie in his hand, and brought it to his lips.

Charlie in the front seat felt a pang of sadness. He had never seen Mr. Diaz eat apple pie before.

But did this count as celebrating Thanksgiving? It probably did, in a way.

After all, for the past three years, no one had celebrated Thanksgiving with Mr. Diaz, and no one had shared apple pie or a holiday meal with him. Even other holidays, it had always just been him alone.

Cicely felt a wave of sadness welling up, choking her. The pie in her mouth stuck, impossible to spit out or swallow. In the end, she took another bite of the pie, swallowing it down with the lump in her throat.

Soon, the car pulled up in front of Alyssa’s cozy little villa. Seth finished his pie while Cicely still had some left.

The moment the car stopped, Cicely couldn’t wait to open the door and leave. Charlie got out first.

Cicely was stopped by a gentle pull. She stiffened, turning to look at Seth. “You said…”

“Happy Thanksgiving.”

Seth spoke softly, the words stopping Cicely’s words in her mouth and filling her with a sense of shame, as if she had misjudged him.

seconds but still left him with those cold

her hand,

all the gifts from the trunk into the villa, running back and forth three times to finish the

and when she saw the toys, she dragged Hugo over

to one side, then turned to the room full of guests with a hearty, “Happy Thanksgiving, folks.” But as his gaze swept across the room, it landed on two

expression shifted to shock, his mouth gaping open as

was happening, it was already too late to do anything but step in

gaze, slowly closing his mouth, shaking his head.

wasn’t until he was in the car for

fade away through the car window,

Diaz.” Charlie’s voice was

Seth did not respond.

little boy in the

at the villa one last time, then

you. And Ms. Cicely

“Drive.”

response made Charlie pause, but after a few seconds, he

back, Charlie kept silent, untangling the mess of

confront

moment. “She won’t even let me drive her now.” If he confronted her, would she take the child and go into

you can’t just

on how long she plans to keep it

as a bargaining chip. He had made mistakes before, and

a tightness in his chest, suffocating. Even as a bystander, he felt this way; he could hardly

*

was sure Seth’s car had finally left did she bend

I’m sorry. Mommy’s

eyes reddening, tears swirling but

in Cicely’s embrace, his arms wrapped tightly around her

Seth’s reminder, she would have let Hugo down tonight. Hugo believed

eyes. “This child, he was so well-behaved, just waiting patiently for you; I’ve never

arms. “Alyssa, thank you for today. I’m sorry for

and love the excitement, especially being around you young ones. Hugo is

likes you too,

Oh, such sweet

voice, still quivering from

for Mommy to share the apple pie? Let Mommy have a bite.” The child had insisted

the couch, and upon hearing Alyssa’s words, she looked down at

climb off Cicely’s lap, his dark eyes searching anxiously, hands reaching out into the air. “Ms. Chloe. Where

would keep it for him, but he

heart clenched at the sight. Hugo was at an age where he should be exploring the world, and curious about everything. Those beautiful yet unseeing eyes, those hands fumbling in the air, his face a mixture of urgency

took Hugo’s hand and kissed it. “Hugo,

calmed down, turned his head towards Cicely, his eyes filled with anticipation. “Where is

half-eaten pie in her hand, a piece Seth had given her, which she had nibbled

back the sourness rising in her throat and brought the pie to Hugo’s lips. “Mommy’s already tried it; it’s delicious.

blinked, took Cicely’s hand, and bit into

“Is it good?”

smiling

into a smile

quickly finished

him earlier. “It’s almost dinner time, you

kissed his cheek. “Will

He nodded. “Yes.”

on the couch the whole time, occasionally checking his phone with an indifferent

reaching out to touch Hugo’s handsome face. “Hugo is so pretty and so well-behaved.

paused briefly, “A

Hugo had a high

missed calls

he came out. He probably started feeling unwell then. Maybe he was afraid that if people knew he was sick, they wouldn’t let

that moment. If she could, she would take all of Hugo’s hardships and pain upon herself. Hugo was sick because of her, and he was blind because

there for him when he was

*

prepare a feast of dishes, with

feeding Hugo throughout the meal, a tender and attentive act that seemed to come naturally to her,

the old days—a haughty and pampered little rich girl from P City, now

pie he’d been pining for before

tearing into the giftwrapping, and although Hugo was curious, he sat obediently, waiting

at him, a mix of tenderness and regret lingered in

wonderful if Hugo could

drive you here today?” Chloe suddenly asked, sitting next to

away from Hugo and nodded.

start the paperwork to get Hugo out

up and quickly shook

off, her gaze cool and steady. “He’s already

body stiffened as the fragile peace in her mind shattered. Her face drained of color, but Chloe remained impassive. “We took Hugo to the

he had humbled

hide from him forever. You can’t deny the fact that he is Hugo’s father, and you shouldn’t try to strip him of his rights and

silent, her demeanor slowly

imagine how Hugo,

She could only offer her rational advice, not empathy, as the pain wasn’t hers. “But since he knows, you and Hugo shouldn’t have to be apart anymore. Besides, having Hugo

her hands

Chloe was right. But what should she do? If Seth wouldn’t let her

Such a life

when it comes,” Damon, who had been indifferent until now, suddenly spoke up, drawing everyone’s attention. “The specialist just sent word. The surgery is in three days. Get

gaze was rigid. Upon hearing the

silent. Only Damon’s voice echoed in her

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