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

of the bedroom when Cicely halted. “Hugo

downstairs. “The kid would

down, they saw Lana cradling Hugo, who clutched

lit up.

Cicely was speechless.

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

a hot dog and some eggs. I’ll be full after

you out to

the rush? You’re trying to get rid of

want him to witness our private

Lana’s face darkened.

Seth. “What are you talking

chuckled and drew her back into his

did take him out. Seth’s words from earlier suggested he had more to say to Cicely, something Hugo shouldn’t hear, presumably

lightened considerably, even as Cicely ate with an

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

utensils and looked at the man opposite her, who had

“Full?”

you have something else to

stood up, collected the dishes, and headed

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

seems like you are more impatient for us to be together

don’t want to keep lingering in this unclear state with

“Hmm.”

towel, leaned back against the counter, and looked down at her. “I might owe

you have nothing else to say, get

Seth paused. “I do.”

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

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

dare to do

and calmly. “If you’re

as a ghost, shook her head, her voice quivering. “No… Seth… don’t you

any longer. Sorry to scare you, but this is something I must do. It seems

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

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 to beat. Her blood

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

not

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

her breathing returning,

I die, I lose everything. I owe you a life,

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

but with a quiver.

running to the living room to make a frantic call. Her fingers

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

“Kitchen… he’s