The Enticing CEO's Chosen Bride novel Chapter 2083

The following day.

Charlie saw Cicely plant a kiss on Seth’s cheek at the doorstep once again. It wasn’t a surprise anymore. Mr. Diaz was in a good mood these last few days, and Charlie felt the ripple effect of his relaxation.

As he started the car, Charlie couldn’t help but tease, “I thought Cicely would throw a fit over your dinner with Ms. Danielle yesterday.”

The atmosphere in the car suddenly grew heavy, and Charlie realized that, from the moment he got in, Mr. Diaz’s mood seemed off compared to the previous days.

Seth didn’t respond, his face an unreadable mask of calm and indifference.

A fit? Yes, a fit. What happened to the woman who used to get so worked up over the smallest things?d2

He almost wished she would throw one of her tantrums, but she seemed to take his every command as gospel.

She didn’t question, didn’t argue, didn’t fight. She just quietly played the role of what she called a “lover.”

Hah. She had too many ways to twist a knife into his heart, with an ease that required no effort at all.

Charlie’s heart raced with anxiety. So, there was trouble in paradise?

But everything seemed fine just a moment ago.

“This afternoon, take her to pick out a Thanksgiving gift, and tomorrow, bring her to Alyssa’s place,” Seth ordered after a pause.

Tomorrow he was to take Ms. Cicely to Alyssa’s, but tomorrow was Thanksgiving.

Charlie suddenly remembered, they weren’t spending Thanksgiving together.

“Actually, after the surgery, you might be able to make it back in time to spend Thanksgiving with Ms. Cicely.”

Seth closed his eyes, hands clenched till his knuckles whitened, his voice strained to the breaking point. “What if something goes wrong. How am I supposed to face her then?”

Charlie felt a weight settle in his chest, his grip tightening on the steering wheel. He believed that nothing could be more agonizing than what they went through three years ago.

The Seth of today, a known prodigy in the business world, with his deep strategies and extreme tactics, held power and prestige in his hands. He was the epitome of elegance, seemingly born to maneuver through life with ease. To most, he appeared unshakeable, capable of commanding the winds and the storms.

But who had seen him scared?

Scared enough that his eyes turned red.

Charlie had. It was during Thanksgiving three years ago.

His only kin had passed away, and his wife had voluntarily gone to prison. He blamed himself for Creighton’s death, was anxious over Issac’s departure, and his company was in utter chaos. Each issue was more than enough to break an ordinary man.

Back then, everyone worried he wouldn’t make it through. Even the slightest breeze could have shattered him into dust. But as fate would have it, the worst always seems to happen at the worst times.

On Thanksgiving, when Erik was at death's door, it was like a hurricane unleashed upon him without warning.

Cicely had just lost her father less than two months prior, Issac’s fate was uncertain, and her resentment towards Mr. Diaz ran deep. If Erik were to leave too, could Cicely handle it?

Losing her loved ones one after the other, what would become of her? Would she blame Mr. Diaz, hate him, or seek revenge? Just how wide would the chasm between them grow?

As an observer, that was all he could conceive. But who truly knew what Mr. Diaz was enduring, and what he was thinking?

After all, it’s impossible to truly understand pain unless the knife cuts your own flesh.

*

Severe aplastic anemia. A decline in bodily functions, weakened immunity, failure of blood-forming organs, necessitating long-term plasma therapy, or in severe cases, whole blood transfusions.

Mr. Erik was in a critical state and required whole blood transfusions. Danielle was the only match for the bone marrow, and luckily, the transplant was successful.

Charlie didn’t have time to dwell on these thoughts, before they had arrived at the hospital.

Danielle’s newly assigned assistant couldn’t keep up with her, so the new assistant was left to learn the ropes at the company, accompanied by the remaining one of her two original assistants.

To prepare for tomorrow’s surgery, Danielle needed to undergo tests today. When they arrived, Danielle was sitting outside the examination room, pressing a cotton swab against her arm. Her long hair draped over her shoulders and face as she sat motionless against the bench.

“Done with the tests?” Seth approached her, his voice cool and distant.

Danielle lifted her head slowly at the sound of his voice.

Charlie was taken aback. Danielle looked pale, her eyes somewhat vacant, and her whole demeanor was tinged with an unhealthy pallor.

Seth’s brows furrowed, “It’s just a test. How much blood did they take from you?”

Danielle’s eyes flickered, and a weak smile crossed her lips. Her pale face contrasted sharply with her reddening eyes, drawing attention to her tears. “A week ago, Cicely was also hospitalized here, right?”

Charlie’s face went pale, and he instinctively looked at Seth.

Seth’s dark eyes flashed briefly.

Danielle let out a soft laugh, “Do you know where she is now?”

Seth just watched her silently, not responding.

“Do you know or not? Is it that hard to answer?”

Charlie, sensing the tension, quickly intervened, “Ms. Danielle, this is a hospital. They don't discriminate against patients. It was normal for Ms. Cicely to be here since she was ill.”

Danielle rose to her feet, laughing as tears fell, “I’m not feeling well. I might not be able to donate blood tomorrow. I need to go rest.”

“Danielle...” Seth grabbed her wrist, his voice as cold as his expression. “Stop it. He’s not just anybody; he’s your grandfather.”

“He’s Cicely’s grandfather too!” Danielle’s voice suddenly rose, and she jerked her hand away, tears streaming, “Have her save him! He’s my grandfather, but he indirectly caused my parents' death. Sure, he brought me back to the Ellis family, but I've given my blood for two years. Isn't that enough to repay him for raising me?

“Miss Cicely, the princess of P City, everyone knew Grandpa's blatant favoritism towards her. It was common knowledge. Why wasn't she the one rushing to save him? Why weren't you calling on her?”

Charlie stood to one side, his heart pounding in trepidation, as he watched Danielle's tears fall like a relentless summer storm. "Mr. Diaz..."

After three years of placating, tomorrow was the day. Just one more time, one more gentle comforting.

"She can't." Seth's voice was a flat line, devoid of any hesitation, leaving Charlie holding his breath.

"Why not?"