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.”

just smiled and said

stepped out of the bedroom when Cicely

sneer echoed from downstairs. “The kid would starve

down, they saw Lana cradling Hugo, who clutched a bottle in

them, Hugo’s dark eyes lit up. “Mommy, Daddy, are

Cicely was speechless.

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

head. “Nope, I already ate a hot dog

you

rush? You’re trying to get

to witness

Lana’s face darkened.

from Seth. “What are you talking

back into his embrace.

words from earlier suggested he

prepared breakfast himself. The dining room atmosphere lightened considerably, even

accompanied by a dash of salt and pepper, and a sandwich, fresh and neatly made with

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

“Full?”

asked, “Do you have something else to say to

softened, and without a word, he stood up, collected

moment, then followed him into the kitchen. Watching Seth’s bent form as he washed the dishes, she pressed her

anxious for an answer, it seems like you are more impatient for us to be together than

“I don’t want to keep

“Hmm.”

on a clean towel, leaned back against the counter, and looked down at her.

had no patience left. “If you

Seth paused. “I do.”

knife from the knife block on the

turning into a cold drench

dare to

“If you’re afraid, then

a ghost, shook her head, her

don’t want to drag this out any longer. Sorry to scare

the knife handle with a smirk, and, as casually as pinning a boutonniere to his

She stood there, stunned, as if her breath had been stolen, and her heart ceased to beat. Her

hue, as he

are not

shake off Danielle, and I decided to turn you in to the authorities. I was the one who put you behind bars. I dragged you to court, and I fell for you despite my mother’s warnings. I failed

her breathing returning, short

wanted to be with you. If I die, I lose everything. I owe

knee, his breathing growing labored. Blood dripped onto the floor, and

grasped her wrist, his voice deliberately steady but with a quiver. “You promised me.

to make a frantic call. Her fingers shook as she dialed. “Hello, this is Cicely’s Mansion, someone’s been stabbed. Please,

sooner had Cicely’s voice faded than the sound of sirens filled the air outside. The front door burst open as

phone, “Kitchen… he’s