The Enticing CEO’s Chosen Bride
Chapter 2074

Cicely's fingers trembled slightly, "Do you find this amusing?"

"Yeah."

"I don't find it the least bit funny, Seth. This isn't the life I want, you know?"

Seth slowly stood up, his hand gently caressing her soft cheek. "You don't find it amusing. It's not the life you want. But letting you go isn't the life I want either."

A pang shot through Cicely's heart, followed by a surge of helplessness. As long as he didn't let her go, she was condemned to live under his watchful eye.

She had to dwell in a castle perched on the edge of a cliff, indulging in the finest luxuries life had to offer, only to find that beyond the door lay a sheer drop into a roiling sea of molten lava. One wrong step meant oblivion.d2

"So, what now? Your words sound so sweet and caring, but the truth is that you've been doing just fine without me these past three years."

With fast cars and beautiful women, he seemed to be living the life of a winner.

She didn't want to bring up the matter of Danielle with him. It made her sound like a jealous shrew.

After her words fell into silence, the room lapsed back into quiet.

"But I want to live better."

Cicely scoffed, brushing his hand from her arm, "So I'm just a sacrifice for your better life?"

Seth pursed his lips, his hand naturally retreating to his side. "I'll have someone come and help you clean up."

Cicely closed her eyes. The negotiation had failed.

Seth called in the housekeeper. Cicely didn't refuse, but once the door was closed, she mostly tended to herself. Aside from the unreachable spots on her back, where the housekeeper insisted on helping, it was all Cicely.

The housekeeper was always on edge watching Cicely. Cicely's injuries weren't light, but they weren't critical either, and Cicely could manage most of her daily needs.

For some reason, every little thing seemed so much more dramatic with Cicely, and yet it all felt so natural.

Cicely remained silent throughout, merely frowning and pausing when the housekeeper touched a sore spot before continuing.

At first glance, Ms. Cicely was a stunner, with a figure that would turn heads in all of P City.

It was understandable that a man like Mr. Diaz, wealthy and powerful, would choose to keep such a beauty by his side.

In this society, a man could have whatever he desired. With his means, it was the time of his life to be indulgent. To not live it up would be a waste of his assets.

But keeping such a beauty was like tending to a delicate deity. She wasn't there for his happiness; she was a source of constant unease.

After making sure Cicely was tucked into bed, the housekeeper went downstairs. Seth was alone in the kitchen preparing dinner.

The servants whispered amongst themselves, astonished. Even Danielle, the well-known girlfriend, hadn't enjoyed such treatment.

He was making several dishes, all Cicely's favorites. The housekeeper once offered to help in the kitchen, reminding him that he had injuries and should avoid the heat, but Seth had casually declined. He spent over an hour cooking alone. Once the dishes were ready, he arranged them on a tray and carried them upstairs.

Cicely was still asleep. Seth glanced at the darkening sky outside, set the tray down, and sat on the bed near her.

The air conditioning was set low in the room; she liked to sleep under a blanket in the cool air. Her hair spread across the pillow, her sleeping face peaceful and serene.

She used to cuddle up to him at the sight of him. Now, she seemed to sleep just fine on her own.

"Good girls fear persistent suitors, and women can't resist tenderness. Shower her with kindness, and she'll eventually cave. Look at Damon. You think his wife came by chance? Besides, it's not like she doesn't love you."

Kane could speak his mind, and Seth would tolerate it. Truth be told, for Seth, cornered and nearly besieged, any shred of hope was worth trying.

Seth smelled of cooking, and soon Cicely's brows knit together, her lashes fluttering open. Seeing Seth, her heart skipped a beat.

"It's time to eat." Seth felt a tinge of regret; he had wanted to stroke her face.

Cicely pursed her lips, turning over, "I'm not hungry right now."

After a pause, Seth's voice tightened, "Get up and eat if you're awake."

"I haven't slept well. I feel sick, and I have no appetite. Take the food out. The smell is nauseating."

Seth's facade of calmness cooled. His dark gaze fixed on Cicely's delicate profile, inscrutable.

Their encounters were mostly confrontational or tense standoffs like this one.

After a while, he stood up, taking the tray with him. "I'll have someone make you a fresh pot of soup."

Without a response, Seth left the bedroom.

The housekeeper looked at the untouched dinner on the tray, at a loss for words. She had thought that a dinner prepared by Mr. Diaz himself would surely move Ms. Cicely, but it remained untouched. In fact, she not only left it untouched but also found it repulsive.

Seth's face masked a brewing storm, but his voice was surprisingly calm.

"Make her a fresh batch of soup, and bring it up to her."

The housekeeper could only comply.

Seth glanced at the untouched meal, his hand clenched into a fist on the table's edge. Something within his chest rolled and swelled. He wanted to drag that heartless woman out of bed and ask what it would take to please her.

But he knew she'd only have one answer: to let her go.

And that was impossible.

As the housekeeper emerged from the kitchen, Seth, wrapped in a cold aura, grabbed his keys and strode towards the door. If he didn't leave now, he feared he might lose control and trap them both in a deadlock.

"Sir, where are you going?"

All she got in return was the sound of the door slamming shut, making her flinch.

Seth had always been the epitome of composure, a man who carried himself with scholarly detachment, his emotions as hidden as a well-kept secret. However, when it came to Ms. Cicely, his facade would crumble, leaving his feelings bare for the world to see.

The housekeeper shook her head in gentle disapproval, then proceeded to the kitchen to follow orders. She prepared a soothing pot of soup and a couple of light side dishes, which she carefully carried upstairs.

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