The Enticing CEO’s Chosen Bride

Dawn’s gentle light slowly permeated the dim bedroom, a sanctuary of whispered intimacy and soft linens.

The scent that lingered in the air belonged to one woman alone, a fragrance that in this world, was hers and hers alone.

Seth’s eyes fluttered open to the woman nestled in his embrace, her form supple and warm against him. He reached out to adjust the tangled strands of hair from her cheek, revealing an immaculate face that took refuge in his gaze.

Even in the tranquility of her slumber, curled against his chest, her beauty was resolute and unapologetic. It was a confidence born of adoration and privilege, woven into her very being.

From the moment he first laid eyes on her, he knew that the stunning girl with an air of arrogance was a danger to him. He’d erected barriers without reason.

Over time, her extraordinary beauty, pride, and commanding presence became the reasons he told himself to detest her. Yet, those reasons, meant to fortify his defenses, became arrows that pierced his armor, time and again.d2

Throughout the years, in countless moments she wasn’t even aware of, he found himself disarmed and defeated by her. All the reasons he’d conjured were merely “reminders” to maintain his disdain.

The truth was, from their very first encounter, he was drawn to her. He didn’t want to admit it, and he didn’t want to surrender. Her affections were straightforward and fervent, her promises naive and unguarded, potentially faltering before they could even take root.

He couldn’t predict, that if he fell, and she withdrew, how decisively she would exit, leaving him to pick up the pieces.

The control was never his.

His mind urged him to resist, yet his instincts were ensnared by her allure, time after time. In the end, his resolve was consumed bit by bit, and despite his struggles, he found himself hopelessly entangled.

He loved that girl. He loved this woman.

He loved Cicely.

He had lost to himself and to this woman a long time ago. She had to be his. The thought of her with someone else was intolerable.

In her absence, the bedroom felt like a sunless prison holding him captive. He was like a prisoner who had willingly shackled himself.

He reflecting on the way she looked at him when she loved him, reminiscing about her resolute demeanor when she said they would no longer meet in life or death, fantasizing about her returning to lazily roam around this house, getting angry with him, acting cutely, furrowing her brows and being picky, bossing him around. It was both torture and salvation.

Now, with his fantasy realized, all he could do was hold on to her.

Seth watched her serene face in slumber, his dark eyes softening, his lips gently touching the tip of her nose. When he opened his eyes again, they glistened with unshed tears. Fortunately, she still loved him, and she was willing to compromise.

The ticklish sensation of his kiss stirred Cicely from her dreams. She snuggled deeper into Seth’s chest, then stilled. Her expression was endearingly vulnerable.

A warmth surged through him, and he restrained himself from waking her.

At nine, Cicely awoke to an empty bed. Stretching languidly, she sighed and glanced out the window.

The oatmeal-colored drapes she had chosen herself complemented the cold gray tones of the bedroom, warmed by subtle touches of amber.

She had infiltrated Seth’s world, slowly becoming a part of it. Her fixation since childhood had finally borne fruit. She had won the man’s obsessive love.

The victory was bittersweet, so her happiness had to be reclaimed twofold.

The door opened gently, and she turned to see the man approaching her, his figure lean, his features striking. For a fleeting moment, she saw through the mature man before her to the fifteen-year-old boy, tall and aloof, standing in front of her uncle’s coffin, meeting her gaze with detachment and a hint of wariness. She had followed him from the wake to the living room, until he finally admitted he loved her.

Twelve years in the making.

The distance from the door to his side, from fifteen to twenty-seven, seemed to blur in the blink of an eye.

“What are you thinking about?”

She was pulled up from the bed, leaning on his shoulder as he slipped a robe over her. His deep voice echoed in her ear.

her hand climbing his shoulder, fingers weaving through his short hair to touch his earlobe, her breath warm

ponytail, his hand warming her slender neck before showering

voice murmured, lips brushing her ear with each word. Cicely shivered with a tingling

senses a bit, still sprawling lazily on his shoulder,

He quickly grabbed the glass of water already on the bedside table and brought it to

She took a sip of milk,

curling her legs on the chair, cupping her milk glass, and said languidly, “I’m not hungry. I’ve lost my

his lips, placing the sliced ham in front of her, “Finish

into the

week straight, Seth

“They say married men tend to get comfortable and put on

glancing reflexively at the mirror before relaxing again and turning his gaze back to Seth, with a rare hint of teasing in his voice. “So, who’s complained

his temple but scoffed lightly, “You should thank me for reminding you to keep fit before Chloe expresses any

play golf occasionally, and

Seth fell silent.

day off at the kindergarten, so Hugo got to sleep in. Cicely had arranged for Chloe, Yulia, and a few others to come over for a backyard

their laughter filling the air. The women sat at a white table, sipping on herbal tea,

scene was quite the

propped up her chin, utterly bored, her beautiful eyes brimming with amusement. “It’s true what they

chuckled. “What

him. Unattractive and useless, it’s like a double whammy. But with a handsome man, just looking at his face can

munching, now shooing Kane away from the grill with an impatient

nor disagreeing with Cicely. Over the years to come, they might face many ups and downs, but as long as the initial spark that brought them together remained, and they held each other in their hearts, any friction would simply become part of their

a plate of perfectly grilled meat and vegetables to Chloe, leaning slightly to plant

her plate—her favorites were all there. “This is

skewer of beef from Chloe’s plate. Damon glanced at her action, his eyes darkening slightly as he caught sight of Seth approaching. With

locking onto Damon for a moment, barely concealing her

it seemed as if Chloe was the only woman in the

no one could surpass Damon. With the grievance of damaging his reputation, Damon was stingy even with a

then Seth came over, placing a plate in

soft and tearful, pointing at Damon with an accusing look. “Honey, he’s picking on me. You have

Chloe’s eyelid twitched.

in surprise at the sudden change in the delicate

patted Cicely’s shoulder, silently

helplessness or confusion on Seth’s face. but Seth, expressionless, simply said, “Let’s have it

Everyone was speechless.

men really ended up throwing punches at a boxing gym. Soaked with sweat, they finally sat on the center of the ring, taking big gulps of water

arm on his bent knee, Damon asked, “Couldn’t you tell her act was deliberate

Seth shook the water bottle in his hand, letting out

Seth he knew from the years without Cicely—a facade of nonchalance, yet trapped in a quagmire of confusion. So now, he understood that to Seth, Cicely was both a goddess and

afraid you’ll spoil her

and let out a sigh, his

from birth, yet I still fell for her, head over heels. Besides, she’s never

Ellis family was proud and arrogant, marching to the beat of her own drum, exuding

love with someone.

Seth finished his water and stood up, extending a

help to stand up. “She’s the

came home sporting a new bruise on his face, and Cicely noticed it the moment he walked in. Her brow furrowed,

eyes softened with amusement. “Didn’t you say he

just ambushed him. I told you to hit him,

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