The Enticing CEO’s Chosen Bride

“Go freshen up; I’ve made breakfast.”

Cicely looked back at her sleeping child, then covered her face with her hands. After a moment of silence, she opened her mouth and asked, “What time is it?”

“6:10.”

Cicely paused, then suddenly looked up. “So…”

Seth nodded subtly. “In just under three hours, Hugo will have his surgery. You’re exhausted. You’ve been up all night, and you skipped dinner.”

Cicely seemed dazed, flashes of her recent dream pricking at her consciousness, and she abruptly closed her eyes. A warm, broad palm rested on her head, and as she lowered her gaze, she saw a pair of expensive leather shoes stop in front of her, the trousers sharply creased.d2

“It’s going to be okay.”

Tears began to well uncontrollably in Cicely’s eyes. She didn’t want this, and she never wanted to rely on anyone, least of all Seth. She thought she could handle the responsibility alone, hiding away, but when trouble struck, she realized she was helpless.

Hugo hadn’t even been taken to the operating room, and she was already falling apart. What would she be doing now if Seth hadn’t come along?

She couldn’t deny that Seth’s presence was her rock.

Seth saw her condition, his hand tightening slightly around her, and he gently pulled Cicely into his embrace. “It’s okay.”

*

When Hugo woke up, he reached out across the bed, but couldn’t find Cicely. Hugo looked confused, as if trying to remember if the past few days had been a dream. After a while, he reached out again to emptiness.

He couldn’t help but pout and climb up on his own. Staring ahead with helpless and confused eyes, he choked down a few sobs and then suppressed the tears in his eyes.

From his time in the orphanage, he had learned to suppress his tears after too many disappointments. Crying would trouble the caretakers, and most importantly, it wouldn’t bring his mother back.

But he believed that one day she would come for him. He just had to patiently wait. His mother wouldn’t like a whiny, naughty child.

After breakfast, Cicely, worried about Hugo, softly pushed open the door, only to find Hugo already sitting up, his lost and confused eyes suddenly fixing on her direction.

“Mommy?” His voice uncertain, his face tense.

“Hugo!”

Hearing Cicely’s voice, Hugo’s lips tightened, and tears threatened to spill from his eyes.

Cicely hurried over and held Hugo in her arms. “I’m here.”

Hugo clung to Cicely’s neck as if afraid of being left behind.

Seth stood at the doorway. It had been so long since he’d seen Cicely show such affection. The proud and radiant girl was also nervous, tender, perplexed, and fearful.

She changed from a girl to a woman to a mother. He had shaped all of this, and yet he was the least entitled to it.

*

At nine o’clock, it was time for Hugo’s surgery. Cicely was ice-cold, holding Hugo tightly, refusing to let go.

“Cicely, you need to put Hugo down.”

Cicely looked troubled.

“Mommy.” Hugo, sensing Cicely’s distress, cupped her face and pressed his forehead to hers. “I know mommy must be the most beautiful mommy in the world, and I really want to see what mommy looks like.”

Cicely’s tears finally fell. “Hugo…”

How could she not hear that her child was comforting her? She felt so useless, letting Hugo comfort her instead.

Hugo pursed his lips, tears swirling in his eyes again. “I’m not scared. Mommy shouldn’t be scared either.”

Cicely nodded fervently, holding back the overwhelming sorrow and fear, kissing Hugo’s cheeks. “Okay, mommy’s not scared. Mommy will be right here waiting for you.”

“Yeah!”

Seth took Hugo from her arms and laid him on the gurney.

Seth’s hand rested on Hugo’s forehead, easily seeing the tension and fear in his eyes. Then Seth gently ruffled Hugo’s hair. “I’ll take care of mommy for you, you just sleep, and when you wake up, I’ll be right here with mommy.”

Seth’s deep voice seemed to carry a magic, calming Hugo’s deep-seated fear. Hugo noticed the hesitation in Seth’s voice but obediently nodded.

Seth forced a smile and stood up straight.

The doctors hurriedly wheeled Hugo into the operating room. Cicely, on impulse, wanted to follow, but Seth pulled her into his embrace.

“Hugo’s going to be okay, right? Seth, tell me that our son is going to make it.” Cicely clung to Seth’s arm, enveloped in anxiety and fear, oblivious to Seth’s momentarily rigid body.

He looked down at her, returned to his senses, and nodded, reassuring her once again. “Yes, he’s going to make it. The best ophthalmologists in the world are in there. They won’t let us down.”

Even though his own heart was filled with worry and anxiety, and he felt every bit of Cicely’s emotions, he couldn’t show weakness in front of her.

in his arms gradually calm down, he led

hands were clasped tightly, resting against her chest, her eyes

the operating room door opened. The surgeon emerged, removing his mask to reveal a face

the sight of the doctor, Cicely should have rushed forward, but

her in his arms, looked up at the doctor.

and exhaled,

the weight that had been on his heart finally dropping. He turned to Cicely, whose tears

eyes suddenly blinked, and she nodded. “He’s going to see, he’s

and the next moment,

“Cicely!”

*

One month later.

nose, stirring her from dreams. The breath that grazed her skin was cooler than one might expect. Her brow furrowed slightly as her eyelids fluttered open to the blurry outline of a familiar, youthful face that gradually sharpened into

her stirred, crawling closer and reaching out to gently touch Cicely’s face. “I always knew Mommy must be the most beautiful mommy in the world,” the boy declared

Hugo’s, whispering, “You

“Mommy’s nose, so pretty,” he said, then

to

rested on Cicely’s lips. “Mommy’s

up with a burst of

hands, cupping Hugo’s face tenderly, her fingertips quivering as they brushed the corners of his eyes. “Hugo.”

nodded, nuzzling into the palm of her hand.

and gathered Hugo into her arms, examining his face with an intensity

stood at the bedside, his expression softening

free of bandages for two days now, but the world was still adjusting to his newly regained vision. He had woken up early that morning, eyes wide open, taking in the crisp details of his surroundings—the ceiling, the curtained

intensity in the man’s gaze, Hugo turned his attention to the beautiful woman sleeping beside him,

…

of observation in the hospital, they were cleared to return home. Cicely’s complexion had been pale since

this new world, had his face pressed against the window, marveling at the cotton candy clouds. When he grew tired, he fell asleep in Cicely’s arms, and Seth

in, his long fingers pressing

window, breaking the silence with a soft confession. “I haven’t figured

her for a moment

down

the flight, was still in Seth’s arms as they disembarked and got into the waiting car. Cicely followed closely, expecting to return to Emerald Valley Estates. Instead, the car stopped in front of Cicely’s Mansion, a gift from Creighton

yet it still resembled a princess’ castle. Hugo’s eyes widened in surprise as he looked at

meant to be yours, so don’t worry about anything else. The people in charge of looking after you inside are the

Cicely’s eyes quivered softly.

is this our house?” he asked

Hugo. Would you like to live here

that’s where I want to be,” he said, his eyes shining with the

see things with his eyes, he seemed to be a little more cheerful

house next to ours is so big, much

a moment before quickly retracting her gaze. “Yeah,” she murmured, unsure of what to say. After a brief pause, she spoke in a low voice,

Seth responded several seconds later. Cicely kept her gaze straight ahead, holding Hugo in her arms as they walked

and leaned on her shoulder, his eyes mirroring Seth’s. They stared straight at

away, Hugo also turned away and stopped looking

front of him. He reached for his pockets and realized he didn’t have a cigarette— he was

with the Ellis family,

a small smile. “Thank you. It’s good to

to face, but none

the staff

a moment, then proceeded with her routine. She gave Hugo a quick wash,

the teachers, and all the other kids at the orphanage. To everyone’s surprise,

the news of Hugo’s successful surgery, she was overjoyed. Now, seeing his beautiful eyes focusing clearly, pure and clean as if sprinkled with stardust, she was both

you’re as beautiful as my

a child that equated her beauty with

eyes commanding respect without anger,

eyes. This man’s pettiness was truly eye-opening. He had to compete with

gave an awkward smile, patting Hugo’s slightly upset head. “Here, I

different colors of pencils and other drawing tools. Chloe knew that Hugo enjoyed playing instruments, but she had also noticed his secret passion for drawing. His previous inability to see had made his drawings a source of both

things were different. He could clearly transfer

open the package and sitting at a small

seemed to disperse the suffocating feelings

Hugo to

“Not yet…”

looking forward to

her lips, “I am afraid it

“Your Grandpa’s stronger than anyone. Besides, it’s your child, his great-grandson—he couldn’t be

Cicely didn’t respond.

wouldn’t have let him arrange care for him these past three years. I think, perhaps in his heart, nothing is more important than being alive, because it means there’s still a chance to see the people he loves in this world. Cicely, you owe Grandpa three years of care. Do you really want to wait for another life-and-death separation like last

Cicely’s fingertips trembled.

over a month by then. When he