The Enticing CEO’s Chosen Bride

The silence in the room was palpable, punctuated only by the soft dance of dust motes in the slanting sunlight that filtered through the curtains.

After what felt like an eternity, Seth’s chuckle broke the stillness, low and unexpected.

Cicely’s frown creased her smooth forehead.

Sitting up, Seth wrapped an arm around her, his lean, dark eyes heavy upon her. His lips curved in a gentle smile and his fingers caressed her cheek with such tenderness, his voice was disarmingly soft. “You said you still love me.”

Cicely’s lips, pink and full, pressed tightly together, and she remained silent.

Seth smiled, his long fingers hooking her jaw. Cicely’s delicate face and those scarlet lips always had an allure that one couldn’t help but kiss.d2

He didn’t resist; he leaned in and kissed her lightly.

Cicely’s gaze dropped, her eyelashes fluttering uncontrollably.

“You’re right. There’s a debt between us, lives taken that makes being together without remorse impossible. But I want to be with you.”

Cicely closed her eyes. They circled back to where they started.

Seth’s hand, previously caressing her cheek, retracted, and he looked at her with a faint smile. “What if I said I was willing to pay it back?”

Cicely blinked, confused. “Pay back what?”

“Life.”

The single word sent Cicely’s mind reeling.

What life? How could it be repaid? “What are you talking about?” she asked, her voice trembling despite herself.

“Our barrier is two lives. If I could repay them, would you agree to be with me?”

Cicely stood frozen, her complexion paling.

Seth watched her, a smile playing on his lips as he couldn’t help but touch her cheek again. “Speak up, Cicely. Is that it? If I could repay those lives, would you agree to be with me?”

She shook her head, taking a long moment before swatting his hand away. “Are you threatening me? Are you so sure I would never agree to such absurdity that you dare to propose it? Fine, yes. If you could pay it back, I would agree to be with you. So, what now? How will you pay? What will you pay with?”

Cicely was furious. He exploited her feelings for him time and again, certain of any outcome. Did he think as long as she loved him, he could always make her compromise?

Seth’s lips twitched, with a light smile in his dark eyes. “No backing out.” With that, he kissed her again, this time with a relaxed ease that pressed her back into the mattress in a barrage of kisses.

Cicely furrowed her brow. So, what now? His words were just talk.

After showering her in kisses until she was flushed, Seth finally released her, satisfied, and swung his legs off the bed to head into the bathroom.

When he returned, Cicely had already changed into her home clothes. He reached for her hand. “Let’s go have breakfast.”

Cicely glanced at him. “This is my house.”

smiled and

stepped out of the bedroom when Cicely halted. “Hugo should be up by

from downstairs. “The kid would starve if we waited

they saw Lana cradling Hugo, who

eyes lit up. “Mommy, Daddy, are you all getting

Cicely was speechless.

leading her downstairs. He walked over to Lana and reached out to touch Hugo’s head. “Do

head. “Nope, I already ate a hot dog and some eggs.

let grand-aunt take you out

You’re trying to get rid

to witness our

Lana’s face darkened.

from Seth. “What are you

her back into his

take him out. Seth’s words from earlier suggested he

prepared breakfast himself. The dining room atmosphere lightened considerably, even as Cicely ate with an

salt and pepper, and a sandwich, fresh and neatly made with vibrant green lettuce and red tomatoes—a simple preference

the meal, Cicely set down her utensils and looked at the man opposite her, who

“Full?”

“Do you have something else

a word, he stood

then followed him into the kitchen. Watching Seth’s

are more impatient for us to be together than I am.” He placed the last dish on the rack,

knitted. “I don’t want to keep lingering in

“Hmm.”

back against the counter, and

left. “If you have nothing else to

Seth paused. “I do.”

from the knife block on the counter. Cicely’s face

turning into a cold drench as she saw the knife. “What

you dare

calmly. “If you’re afraid, then I’ll do it. It’s

shook her head, her voice quivering. “No… Seth…

faintly. “But I don’t want to drag this out any longer. Sorry to scare you, but

knife handle with a smirk, and, as casually as pinning a boutonniere to his chest, he plunged

widening to their utmost as the blade, inch by inch, disappeared into his chest. She stood there, stunned, as if her breath had been stolen, and her heart ceased

their hue, as he leaned heavily against the kitchen counter. With his remaining

not

I’m the one who messed with Ray. I couldn’t shake off Danielle, and I decided to turn you in to the authorities. I was

her breathing returning, short and

probably won’t die. I just wanted to be with you. If I die,

he knelt on the floor, his hand braced against his knee, his breathing growing

deliberately steady but with a quiver. “You

and running to the living room to make a

the sound of sirens filled the air outside. The front door burst open as paramedics charged

phone, “Kitchen… he’s in the