The Enticing CEO’s Chosen Bride

Obsidian Enterprises had been brewing new endeavors recently.

Chloe was meticulously packing Damon’s suitcase for his business trip. “I’ve squared away the essentials with Nate already. Here’s the medicine pouch. If you feel a cold coming on, remember to take a couple of these powdered mixes. I’ve also packed antacids and hangover pills. I included three sets of clothes for you, and I’ve ordered some outfits to be delivered directly to you over there in a couple of days.”

As Chloe bent over the suitcase, sorting through items with great attention to detail, familiar garments suddenly appeared on the surface of the luggage. Upon closer inspection, she realized they were her own clothes. Lifting her eyes, she watched as the tall, broad-shouldered man knelt before her, his defined fingers carefully folding her clothes and placing them atop his own. “What are you doing?”

“Coming with me on the trip,” he said, his voice firm and unyielding.

Chloe sighed with a hint of resignation and began removing the clothes from the suitcase, “I can’t go with you. I need to stay home and take care of the kids.”

Damon’s expression darkened a shade, “They have grandparents, nannies, and housekeepers.”d2

“But I’ll miss them. I need to see them every day to feel at peace.”

Damon took the clothes back from Chloe’s hands, pressed them into the suitcase, and then silently stood up and left the dressing room. She was sure of it – he was upset.

Chloe pondered how to soothe him later, but before she could act on it, Damon re-entered, one child in his arms and another dangling from his hand, both as beautiful and delicate as dolls.

Chloe was clearly familiar with Damon’s way of holding the babies, especially when she saw the little babies being lifted and kicking his tiny legs, giggling happily. She couldn’t help but feel a sense of helplessness. She remembered vividly how her heart had leaped the first time she saw her precious son treated in such a cavalier fashion.

Over time, she’d come to question what exactly constituted a man’s idea of “romance.”

“What are you—”

Before Chloe could finish, Damon bent down and placed the little one inside the suitcase. Chloe stared in astonishment.

With a grunt, Damon glanced at the little creature reaching out cheerfully for Chloe from within the suitcase and said, “Pack him up and bring him along.”

Startled, Chloe quickly scooped her son out of the suitcase. She knew Damon wasn’t serious about shipping their son off in a suitcase, but seeing him now, doting on his soft, sweet daughter with nose rubs and kisses, Chloe couldn’t help but feel even more protective of her son.

The disparity in affection was striking.

She had once discussed this favoritism with Damon quite seriously, but in the end, she somewhat agreed with his conclusion: Their son would also have to spoil his sister unconditionally.

With a silent apology in her heart, Chloe held her son close and kissed him again and again.

In spite of this tender moment, Chloe didn’t agree to join Damon on his trip.

Soon after, Nathan’s boisterous voice echoed from downstairs. “I’m here to see you!”

Sometimes Chloe thought Damon was so lucky to have a brother like Nathan – despite taking his fair share of beatings, Nathan’s uncanny timing often rescued her from tricky situations.

His reasons for showing up were seldom what one might call “normal” though.

the stairs with a face like a thundercloud, Damon saw Nathan had arrived with his entire family in tow. The butler had already directed the staff to serve tea and refreshments in

as he admired the family coming down

learned a thing or two about sweet-talking, and without making a fuss, he glanced at Damon’s sour expression before turning his attention to the

doting father, especially when it came to his

and his beloved wife, Chloe. Though Nathan often came off as

remained stoic, but his slight nod was a grand

hid her amused smile behind her hand, while the staff

Chloe’s side, resting her chin on Chloe’s knee and gazing at her

smiled and watched as Anya gently touched Little Sun’s cheek,

bring them to his

attention to hygiene.” Anya chided, taking on

stroked Anya’s hair, her eyes filled with warmth. “Anya is

“I’ll always protect

the same earnest promise, and each time, Chloe felt a deep sense of warmth and joy. The pure,

cents, turning affection into something as transactional as a business deal. If this was the case in the Summers household, she could only imagine the emotional void in the grander Harper family, where any genuine sentiment must have felt like a burden, something to be disregarded and lacking. Yet,

an exception to her cynical expectations. They trusted her,

complete with Damon, but he gave her so much

is such a great sister,” someone

fingers toying with her small hand. He watched contentedly as the little hand grasped his

as they sat opposite on the couch, grinned, “We’re about to go

demurely, her lips barely parting. Clearly, fatherhood was doing wonders

him, unimpressed. “Another babysitting

he leaned back with a defiant air of resignation. “Just thought they’d keep her company, bro. Besides, Yulia’s carrying your nephew in there. Can

worry about? Were the housekeepers merely ornaments? And their mother… Well, best not to go

their mother didn’t stir up trouble, she

–

The Diaz residence.

mess of sheets lay on

and faint marks dotted the smooth shoulders. Strands of

swung open, and the

a glass of water on the bedside table, then sat down beside the sleeping woman, watching her

Cicely turned away from him, grabbing the blanket

the covers, planting a gentle kiss on her exposed

Her voice trailed off, hoarse from discomfort, and she

resistance was met with a low chuckle from the man behind her. “Sorry,” he whispered,

blanket over

and scooping her into his lap with a fluid motion. She could feel every bone in her body soften, too lazy to resist as he

the tension slowly easing until Cicely sighed in relaxation. After a

back as she rested lethargically in his embrace, her scent filling his nostrils as his

ever