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

when Cicely halted.

downstairs. “The kid would starve if we waited for

Lana cradling Hugo, who clutched a bottle in his

up. “Mommy, Daddy, are

Cicely was speechless.

reached out to touch Hugo’s head.

head. “Nope, I already ate a hot dog and some eggs. I’ll be full after this

take you out

trying to get

want him to

Lana’s face darkened.

away from Seth. “What

and drew her back into his embrace. “Time for

Lana did take him out. Seth’s words from earlier suggested

The dining room atmosphere lightened considerably, even as Cicely ate with an expressionless and

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

looked at the man

“Full?”

have something else to say

word, he stood up, collected the

squeezed her eyes shut for a moment, then followed him into the kitchen. Watching Seth’s

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

don’t want to keep

“Hmm.”

his hands on a clean towel, leaned back against the counter, and looked down at her. “I might owe you an

no patience left. “If you have nothing else

Seth paused. “I do.”

from the knife block on the counter. Cicely’s face blanched as she stumbled

her mind, the initial confusion turning into

you dare

“If you’re afraid, then

head, her voice quivering.

brave.” Seth smiled faintly. “But I don’t want to drag this out any longer. Sorry to scare you, but this is something I must do. It

a smirk, and, as casually as pinning a boutonniere to his chest, he

his chest. She stood there, stunned, as if her breath had been stolen, and her heart ceased to beat. Her blood had instantly halted its flow, leaving her body rigid and cold,

white shirt in an instant, his lips gradually losing their hue, as he leaned heavily against

are not

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

her breathing returning, short and

won’t die. I just wanted to be with you. If I die, I lose everything. I owe you a life, I’ll pay it

on the floor, his hand braced against his knee, his breathing growing labored. Blood dripped onto the floor, and Cicely, unsure what to do, caught the

grasped her wrist, his voice deliberately steady but with a quiver. “You promised me. Don’t

unresponsive, stared at him for seconds before scrambling up and running to the living room to make a frantic

faded than the sound of sirens filled the air outside. The front door burst open as paramedics charged in, their gaze

“Kitchen… he’s in