The Enticing CEO’s Chosen Bride
Chapter 2030

Chapter 2030

Cicely couldn't help but replace the irony both amusing and sad

.

Seth's dark eyes fixed on her, "He indeed has something very important to deal with."

A slight twitch of Cicely's brows, and a sudden tightening in her chest.

"Is it more important than me disappearing or dying out there?"

Seth's forehead gathered a heavy frown, "You're not going to go missing, nor are you going to dieout there. Don't fixate on such impossibilities to pick a fight with me."d2

Cicely's lips curled into a sarcastic smile, "It seems that no matter how you look at it, I'm the onemaking a fuss, and you're always right."

Seth watched her for a moment before leaning in close, his long fingers tilting her chin, his voicedeliberately slowing down.

"Whatever Charlie's got going on has nothing to do with you. You can come to me with anything, nothim. You married me, Mrs. Diaz. Are you confused about who you should be relying on, hmm?"

His handsome face was inches from hers, his forehead brushing against her hair, his husky andmellow voice seemingly crafted to beguile women.

Cicely lifted her gaze to the man so close by, her heart tumbling with thoughts—

His words were so sweet.

He had a way of charming people.

He had lowered his stance; what would it mean if she continued to resist?

Suppressing the whirlwind of emotions within her, she lowered her lashes, the long fringe hiding thecomplex feelings in her eyes that even she found perplexing.

"You're right," Cicely finally said after a long pause, lifting her eyes again with a trace of a warm, softsmile. "Maybe I did get it wrong. Aren't you busy lately? You should head to the office. I've got aheadache, I'm going back to sleep."

With that, she pushed him away and yawned herself back into the mound of plush pillows.

Her hair spread out on the pillow. Feeling uneasy, she reached to adjust it but Seth caught her wrist,pinning it aside, and leaned in to give her a thorough kiss, s

imple and deep.

Cicely, caught off guard, didn't even have a chance to struggle.

"Mrs. Diaz, don't you think you should reflect on whether you've been a bit too cold to me lately?"

His hand slid to her neck, cradling her head, his fingertips massaging her scalp.

She squinted slightly, "Shouldn't it be you reflecting on why I might be cold to you?"

Seth's lips twitched into a smile as he nuzzled her lips.

"Maybe it’s because I didn't try hard enough last time, didn't make you remember that taste deeplyenough. How about I help you recall that forgotten sensation now, hmm?"

Cicely's eyes fluttered, her squint opening slightly, "If you want your own pleasure, just say so. Doesshifting the blame give you more strength during sex?"

Cicely was blunt, in every sense.

Seth looked at her with a smirk, "Aren't you the one who enjoys it more? Have you really forgottenhow you clung to me, directing me to go faster, slower, or deeper?"

Cicely's eyes widened in disbelief at the brazen words coming from the refined and handsome manbefore her.

"You have the nerve to say that?"

Seth reached out and peeled back her nightgown, "We've done it all. What's one more word?"

Seeing that he meant business, Cicely's mind suddenly cleared, "Weren't you busy, about toleave?"

"Mmm," Seth simply flipped back the covers, scooping up a bundle of warm, fragrant softness intohis arms, "No matter how busy, I always make time to take care of you."

Cicely struggled, "No need, I don't want you to right now."

"Alright then, it's me who wants you. Just relax, okay?"

He hadn't actually intended to do anything right then.

He'd dressed, aware of the stiff undercurrent between them over the past few days.

The intention and timing were all wrong for such things, b

ut he wanted to ease the tension, to get close to her, to kiss her, and to coax her.

She’s soft, warm, and enchanting in his arms, and just being near her made it hard to resist wantingmore.

Cicely thought, a man's sweet talk and a knack for pleasing a woman wasn't such a bad thing.

He knew what women liked to hear, knowing how to make them happy. He was e

fficient and effective, without wasting time and achieving his goals.

*

In fact, Seth even calculated the time when making love to her.

He carried her from the bathroom, dressed her in lounge clothes, and then came the knock on thebedroom door.

It was Carly reminding them it was time for breakfast.

Seth had probably instructed Carly the night before to make sure Cicely didn't skip breakfast.

Carly, not quite understanding at first and having witnessed Cicely's morning grumpiness, had sincestopped waking her up; even this knock was cautious and tentative.

Seth opened the door, and Carly's relief was all too visible.

Ms. Cicely might be temperamental, but with Mr. Diaz present, it was a different story.

Truly, the right man could tame any wildness.

With a nonchalant "Hmm," Seth turned to beckon Cicely.

"Come on, breakfast."

Cicely lay slantwise on the bed, her gaze on Seth's inviting hand, she drawled lazily, "Not hungry,feeling off, don't wanna eat."

Seth walked over, scooped her up effortlessly, and said, "You have to eat."

Placed in a chair, Cicely slumped with her arms propped on the table.

Her loose lounge clothes revealed a delicate, fair forearm with faint red marks upon it.

Seth pursed his lips.

She was too delicate.

Her responses were always the most intense.

In pain, she'd hit him, cry out quaveringly.

In pleasure, she'd coil up, holding him and making the most alluring and bold sounds.

Although he was always careful not to hurt her, i

t was she who knew how to break his restraint.

He pushed the bowl of oatmeal towards her, "Eat up, then you can go back to sleep."

"I've got no strength," she said weakly, her eyes pleading, "What now?"

Her words weren't explicit, but the meaning was clear enough.

Carly grinned and slipped back into the kitchen.

Seth cast a casual glance at her and picked up a spoon, scooping up a bit of oatmeal and bringing itto her lips.

"Open up."

Cicely grinned and leaned in to take the oatmeal into her mouth.

"Just a spoonful of oatmeal and you're acting like it's ambrosia?" Seth remarked with a touch ofirritation in his voice, though a faint smile played at the corners of his mouth.

"Who needs ambrosia when I have this delicious bowl of oatmeal right now?" Cicely teased, inchingcloser to him, her lazy smile alluring in its warmth. "Will I get the chance to enjoy this again?"

Seth's lips curved into a smirk as he fed her another spoonful, “I'm not just sleeping with you thisone time.”

Cicely was speechless.

After they finished eating, Seth carried Cicely back to bed.

He leaned over to steal a kiss, straightening her hair. "Get some more sleep. Don't bother bringingme lunch."

Cicely hummed in response, "Just don't forget to eat yourself."

Her warmth and obedience revealed her affection for him in every way.

Seth affectionately nuzzled her forehead, his voice soft and tender, "I won't."

"Alright, you better go. I won't hold you up any longer."

"It seems you're aware of how much time you've taken from me."

Cicely squinted at him playfully, "Have you no shame?"

Seth chuckled softly, pushing himself up, "Sleep well, I'm leaving."

Cicely didn't say anything, just turned over and clutched the blanket.

Hearing the bedroom door close, Cicely opened her eyes again.

The room was quiet, and a faint morning light could be seen through the curtains. Invisible dustfloated in the air. She suddenly felt a chill and couldn't help but shiver.

If she feigned ignorance and continued to let things slide, would this situation ever end?

And if so, when?

But she also felt that even Seth couldn't give her a definite timeline.

And what about after that?

Cicely furrowed her brows, perhaps she should choose to trust that Seth would handle things.

Carly had prepared lunch, but for Cicely, eating alone was tasteless. She poked at her food whileplaying with her phone.

Midway through the meal, her phone rang.

"Hello, may I speak to Ms. Cicely?"

"Yes."

"Ms. Cicely, hello, this is the Madame Bridal Boutique. The photos you asked to be framed fromyour last dress fitting are ready. Would you like to pick them up, or should we deliver them to you?"

Cicely pondered for a few seconds, "I'll come pick them up."

She had had enough sleep, felt bored at home, and wanted to get out.

After hanging up, Cicely set down her utensils and glanced at the time—right in the middle of lunchhour—and dialed Seth's office number.

The phone rang for a while before it was answered.

"Hello, who is this?"

Just as Cicely was about to speak, she hesitated, "Where's Seth?"

"I'm sorry, Mr. Diaz is not in the office."

The reply was formal and stiff.

Cicely's eyebrows knitted together, "Is this Shane?"

There was a pause on the other end, "May I ask who's speaking?"

"Cicely." She said her name plainly, "Did he eat lunch on time?"

"Mr. Diaz just stepped out. He's not in the company, and his ordered lunch is untouched."

Cicely was silent for a few seconds, "So you mean, he was about to have lunch but had to leave forsomething urgent."

"That's correct."

"Is the company really that busy lately?"

Cicely's question finally made Shane feel like he was being checked up on, and he becamenoticeably guarded.

"As we approach year-end, it is indeed very busy."

"I see. Then you all need to take care of yourself."

Cicely said flatly and hung up.

Leaning on the dining table, she dialed Seth's mobile number.

Seth had just arrived at the hospital when Charlie approached him.

"Mr. Diaz, Ms. Danielle insisted on going to the restroom on her own and bumped her leg. Nowshe's in pain and emotionally unstable, she even threw her meal."

Seth's expression darkened as he headed straight for room V66.

As he drew closer, Danielle's crying and yelling grew louder.

"Leave me alone. I said I'm not hungry, I won't eat, can't you hear me?"

"How many times do I have to say it before you'll leave!"

As his phone began to ring, Seth paused. He took out his phone, saw the caller ID, and steppedaside to answer.

"Yeah?"

"Well, I just had lunch, was checking if you had yours. But I heard…"

"Can you stop bothering me!"

Behind him, the sound of something being smashed followed Danielle's shrieks from the room.

Cicely paused, gripping the phone, her slender fingers sliding across the tabletop.

A gentle smile touched her eyes, "Are you busy right now?"

"Yeah, I've already had lunch."

"Good, that's good. The bridal shop called me; I'm heading over to pick up some photos. I wasthinking of monopolizing your lunch break, but it seems that's not happening."

"They should offer home delivery."

"They mentioned that, but I was bored at home and felt like going out."

"Then be careful."

"Will do."

Cicely didn't plan to prolong the conversation, but as she moved to hang up, she found the call hadalready been disconnected.

Inside the room, Danielle was still causing a scene, and the muffled voices of others could be heard.

Seth entered with a stoic face, and the room was in disarray.

The shattered thermos lay on the floor, its base hanging off the edge of the cabinet, and food andwater stains littered the bed and floor.

Danielle's hair was a mess, her pale face streaked with tears, her red eyes brimming with freshones.

Upon seeing Seth, her eyes flickered, and she bit her lip hard, turning her face away.

"Clean this up and prepare a new lunch."

Seth's voice was calm and detached as he surveyed the chaotic room.

The staff hurried to comply.

Standing firmly amid the mess, Seth looked at Danielle with an impassive expression.

"Is this tantrum going to make you feel better?"

Tears fell from Danielle's eyes as she stared at him, the pain and defiance clear on her pallid face.

She shook her head for a long time, her voice breaking as she spoke, "I... I can't do it. Seth, to bebedridden, needing help with... with everything, I just can't."

Her words trailed off into sobs, the tears cascading down her cheeks, especially when she facedSeth, confessing the most humiliating and vulnerable situation she had ever been in.

Seth stood silently, his eyes and furrowed brows as unyielding as a mountain shrouded in fog,revealing nothing.

No disgust, no rejection.

His expression was unreadable.

"Nothing is more important than staying alive," Seth spoke calmly. "You're injured. All of these things– they're normal. Everyone understands, and no one will mock you for it."

Danielle continued to cry, shaking her head, "I know, I know all that. That my legs are paralyzed,that it's normal to lose control right here in bed. But I can't. I just can't do it."

She was still young. How could she accept this new reality as easily as one might think?