The Enticing CEO's Chosen Bride novel Chapter 1865

Yulia couldn't help but smirk silently to herself on the sidelines.

Chloe, too, rose from the couch, her hand on her hip, leaning into Damon's embrace as she sauntered over, a faint, tender smile gracing her face.

She believed that Nathan was truly the clown of the household. His talent for playing the fool was both exasperating and endearing.

But as the saying goes, love is blind. Perhaps if someone else were in Nathan's shoes, suddenly discovering they had a daughter would be just as unbelievable, especially a daughter who had been under his nose the whole time, sweetly calling him 'Nathan' day in and day out.b2

Bystanders can only see the surface of things, too many complexities that only he would understand. Piling up one thing after another, the web of considerations was daunting to untangle.

When it came to children, a crucial piece, no room for error can be afforded.

She understood, had Nathan not cared so much, he wouldn't be beating around the bush, reluctant to even consider the possibility. He was probably scared to death of the disappointment if it turned out not to be true.

He knew coming to Damon for answers would invite a "harsh talking-to", but compared to the potential letdown, he figured a few harsh words would be easier to swallow. As long as Damon denied it, that would be the best answer for him.

Nathan may seem like a wayward son, carefree all day long. But even he had a heart.

With Damon and his father's strict and detached dispositions, if he were similar, the family would be suffocating.

He had a knack for charming people. A little exasperating, sure, but not necessarily a bad thing.

He made his rounds, greeting Elizabeth, Royce, and Alyssa.

Alyssa responded cheerily, rubbing her cheek against Anya's and beckoning Yulia over.

Yulia approached, and Alyssa took her hand, looking up at her warmly. "Yulia, bless you for keeping Anya, and for raising her so well. I know you're a good kid, just dealt a bad hand with a husband like Nathan. If you ever need to talk, come to grandma and your folks, we'll have your back unconditionally. If he steps out of line or gives you trouble, we'll set him straight for you."

Nathan leaned in, "Hey, hey, what's all this about having a rough time because she's married to me? Marrying me must be the luck of her."

Alyssa scoffed dismissively, "Don't flatter yourself. If I'd known marrying you was a sign of good fortune, I'd have whisked Yulia off to a convent long ago."

Nathan's mouth twitched, "You guys, come on, I'm your flesh and blood. Is this how you treat your own?"

"That's why I say Yulia's got it tough, marrying someone like you. Perhaps you saved humanity in your last life, and this is your reward. Hmph."

Nathan almost choked on Alyssa's disdain. Was this really his dear grandmother?

"The one who saved humanity was me, not him," a calm voice interjected. It was Damon, standing beside Chloe, his expression unreadable as ever.

The room fell silent.

Chloe blushed, seemingly aware of what Damon meant by his words. She looked like she wanted to hide but merely lowered her head, closing her eyes in a brief escape. Why did he have to compete even in this?

Nathan rolled his eyes to the heavens in response. Why on earth was Damon taking such a silly boast seriously?

The onlookers exchanged complex glances at Damon. Was there a single normal person in the Harper family?

Thank goodness for the hired help, who chose this moment to announce that dinner was ready.

As they moved towards the dining room, the tension eased, and forced smiles crept onto their faces. The younger generation, two couples, lagged behind.

Yulia chuckled softly at Chloe's awkwardness.

Nathan watched Damon, who stood with an air of self-assured righteousness. "Really, bro? You care about that sort of bragging?"

Damon glanced at him from the corner of his eye, "Your sister-in-law is the best, so I have to be the best, too."

Nathan was speechless, nodding after a while before giving Damon a thumbs-up. "You're the man! Numero uno!"

Damon turned away, indifferent to Nathan's words, leaving him with a view of the back of his head.

Anya was doted on by Alyssa and Elizabeth, leaving Yulia and Chloe barely able to get a cuddle.

By the end of the evening, Anya's little belly protruded triumphantly, round as a little watermelon.

Nathan seized the moment to lift her dress and pat her belly gently. "Knock, knock, knock," he laughed, "Hey, looks like the watermelon is ripe."

Anya giggled uncontrollably at Nathan's antics, her little hands reaching to lift his shirt, "I want to see Nathan's watermelon."

Slumped on the couch, Nathan let Anya pull up his shirt, revealing his taut abs, no watermelon for her there.

"Call me daddy." he insisted.

Anya reached out and gave a little press, pouting. However, she didn't make a big fuss, as if Nathan's well-defined abdominal muscles were something she had long grown accustomed to.

A cushion flew through the air, hitting Nathan squarely, and he turned to see Damon staring him down coldly. "Show off again, and I swear I'll cut each one off." Damon spoke while covering Chloe's eyes, his face a mask of murderous intent.

Nathan quickly straightened up, pulling his shirt down with a sheepish expression.

Anya, accustomed to Nathan's tussles with Damon, covered her mouth to hide her giggles. "Nathan got beaten up by Damon again."

Nathan glared at her, "Say daddy."