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

when Cicely halted.

downstairs. “The kid

they saw Lana cradling Hugo, who clutched

up. “Mommy, Daddy,

Cicely was speechless.

seemed unfazed, leading her downstairs. He walked over to Lana and reached out to touch

I already ate a hot dog

take you out

trying to get rid of

want him to witness

Lana’s face darkened.

away from Seth.

chuckled and drew her back into

Seth’s words from earlier suggested he

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

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

looked at the

“Full?”

you have something else to

and without a word, he stood up, collected the dishes,

Seth’s bent form as he washed the

it seems like you are more impatient for us to be together than I am.” He placed the

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

“Hmm.”

on a clean towel, leaned back against the counter, and looked

“If you have

Seth paused. “I do.”

paring knife from the knife

words from the bedroom echoed in her mind, the initial confusion turning into a cold drench as she saw the knife.

you dare to

you’re afraid, then

pale as a ghost, shook her head, her voice

to drag this out any longer. Sorry to scare you, but this is something

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

She stood there, stunned, as if her breath had been stolen, and her heart ceased

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

not to

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 dragged you to court, and I fell for you

breathing returning, short and

to be with you. If I die, I lose everything. I owe you a life, I’ll pay it back once I’m

as he knelt 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

steady but with a quiver. “You promised me. Don’t back out

for seconds before scrambling up and running to the living room to make a frantic call. Her fingers shook as she dialed. “Hello, this is Cicely’s Mansion,

filled the air outside. The front door burst open as paramedics charged in, their

phone, “Kitchen… he’s in