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

just stepped out of the bedroom when Cicely

downstairs. “The kid

saw Lana cradling Hugo, who clutched a bottle in

lit up. “Mommy, Daddy,

Cicely was speechless.

over to Lana and reached out to touch Hugo’s head. “Do you

already ate a hot dog

grand-aunt take you out to play

trying to

want him to

Lana’s face darkened.

from Seth. “What are

chuckled and drew her back into his embrace. “Time

out. Seth’s words from earlier suggested he had more to say to Cicely,

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

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

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

“Full?”

have

he stood up,

a moment, 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

want to keep lingering

“Hmm.”

wiped his hands on a clean towel, leaned back against the counter, and

left. “If you have nothing else to say,

Seth paused. “I do.”

he moved aside, pulling a paring knife from the knife block on the counter.

initial confusion turning into a

you dare

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

as a ghost, shook her head, her voice

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

a smirk, and, as casually

eyes 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

lips gradually losing their hue, as he leaned heavily against the kitchen counter. With his remaining strength, he pulled Cicely into

are not to

against hers, his voice tender and his eyelashes fluttering with emotion. “It’s all my fault. 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 the one who put you behind bars. I

her breathing returning,

just wanted to be with you. If I die, I lose

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

his voice deliberately steady but with a quiver.

numb and unresponsive, stared at him for seconds before scrambling up and running to the living room to make a frantic call. Her fingers shook as she dialed. “Hello, this

the air outside. The front door burst open as paramedics charged in, their gaze fixed on

“Kitchen… he’s