The Enticing CEO’s Chosen Bride

“You don’t owe me any apologies. Even if you were dead, it wouldn’t be any of my business.”

Cicely’s chauffeur couldn’t stand idly by, “Miss…” The words seemed especially cruel considering Seth had just narrowly escaped the Grim Reaper’s clutches. His nerves were still rattled, and this talk of death felt like tempting fate.

Seth pressed his lips together, silent for a moment before wiping his face with a blood-soaked hand. He paused when he saw the crimson smears, then clenched his hand and let it hang by his side. Turning to the driver, he said nothing.

*

“Just take them home,” he finally muttered. “I’ll stay for the traffic cops.”

“What you should be doing is getting to the hospital, not waiting around for the police.” Lana’s voice cut in, her brows furrowed, and her aura stormy.d2

“You are running a high fever and got into a car accident. If you delay any longer, you’ll either fry your brain, or get a concussion. Or get a lovely combo of both and become an idiot. That way, you won’t be able to do anything stupid, and you’ll save on support money.”

Seth stiffened.

The driver chimed in, “Yeah, Mr. Diaz, you really should get to the hospital. Your health comes first.”

*

With the car wrecked and the urgent need for a hospital, hopping into Cicely’s car was the quickest option.

Cicely didn’t speak as she got in and cradled Hugo in her arms.

Hugo’s little face was pale as he clung to her clothes. “Mommy, I saw Daddy. There was so much blood.”

Cicely felt Hugo trembling and held him tighter. “Yeah, but it’s okay, Daddy’s smart. He knows how to minimize danger in an emergency,” she reassured Hugo.

The driver, who had already gotten into the car, sighed after hearing her words. “Miss, if we’re talking about minimizing danger when a crash is inevitable, Mr. Diaz’s best move would’ve been to not swerve and hit the brakes,” the driver commented.

Cicely frowned, “So he’s crazy?”

The driver shook his head, “If he had gone straight, he would’ve hit the car ahead, and that car would’ve hit ours.”

A realization hit Cicely hard.

The driver looked at Lana, who was busy ushering Seth to the passenger seat with a cold demeanor.

“We’re all fine, even if our car got rear-ended, it wouldn’t necessarily mean we’d get hurt. But you would’ve definitely been frightened.”

As Seth was practically stuffed into the passenger seat, Cicely held Hugo, who was trying to wriggle free, and glanced in the rearview mirror, locking eyes with Seth in reflection. “Mommy, I want to see Daddy.”

Cicely averted her gaze. “Daddy’s fine. Be good, Hugo. We’re taking Daddy to the hospital now.”

She didn’t want Hugo to see Seth covered in blood.

*

After a series of checks, the doctor’s expression was grim. “What were you thinking? Driving with a fever of over 102? Even if you’d made it home safely, you probably would’ve fried your brain.” The doctor had no patience for irrational patients who gambled with their lives.

Cicely, chided and stone-faced, asked, “How is he now?”

“Concussion. The head wound needs stitches. He’s staying overnight to bring the fever down.”

Cicely bit her lip. Stitches and concussion. None of it was reassuring.

Just then, a young nurse ran over, tears streaming down her face.

“What happened?” asked the doctor.

The young nurse, holding scissors, sobbed, “The patient with the fever and the car accident won’t let me shave his head. He’s so scary.”

The doctor closed his eyes and took a deep breath, “What’s more important, his life or his hair?”

The nurse sniffled, “You should be telling him that, not me.”

The doctor was speechless.

to shave his head?” Cicely

We have to shave the hair

for a moment before pressing her lips

The doctor looked at Cicely, “Do you have a

her

we just let him

Cicely frowned.

*

mood hadn’t lifted. “If you’re the help the nurses have called

the left temple. “Shaving off a lock will be covered by the hair on top. It won’t be noticeable, and your hair will grow back.

his lips, “You would not like me if I were to become

of you right now, especially with

than losing a bit of hair to Seth. So, the nurse shaved as little as possible. Once the hair

Seth’s sullen face. Despite just

toll, and with the IV

looked at Cicely and

up Hugo. “Alright,

little disappointed, “Are we

take care

said nothing more, his worried eyes lingering on Seth, lying in

exited the room, Lana was waiting by the door. Seeing Cicely, she had an expression

“Yes.”

barely reached the hospital entrance when Charlie hurried

“He’s in room V2010.”

say more, but Cicely

night had fallen, and Hugo, exhausted, fell asleep in Cicely’s arms. Cicely, too, had

the journey, but as they neared Cicely’s Mansion, Lana suddenly spoke up, “Let me ask you one more time, do you want to leave

and turned to

pulled up at Cicely’s Mansion, and

years. Or, just stop

flicked to Hugo in Cicely’s arms, her tone resigned, “Perhaps do

and I won’t stop him

the future? You’re still young. If you’re not with him, does that mean you won’t consider other

meet someone I like or someone

you’d consider finding a stepfather

gently placed him on the bed, “That’s a matter for the future. Do you really

you think you’ll find a man who

As long as he

darkened completely. “You really

away nonchalantly, “I’m going to see what’s for dinner.

*

her inquiry. She sat down and instructed them, “Prepare some

“Right away.”

or the energy to embark

her fork, her face rather cold. “Cicely, don’t mess

mess around? Regardless, I

Lana said no more.

him,

*

footsteps of a nurse coming to remove his IV, Seth looked around the hospital room—there was only the nurse and

“Mr. Diaz, you’re awake!”

room again, his voice weak and hoarse. “Where are

softly, “Ms. Cicely and the young master

of bed, fighting off

what

the nurse. Halfway out, he asked Charlie for the car

drive,” Charlie insisted, noting Seth’s fever. “You’re

waiting for a

*