Chapter 2087


    Chloe furrowed her brow.


    Seth''s gaze settled on her, his lips quirking in a half-smile. "You should know that I would never


    harm him."


    Chloe should understand that as the father of the child, he would never bring him harm.


    Chloe''s eyes flickered, her expression guarded. "Did you ever intend to harm Cicely?"


    Seth''s chest shuddered at the usation.


    Chloe didn''t want to pry into past scandals, nor did she wish to meddle in family affairs that were not


    hers to tend. But Hugo tethered her to a concern she couldn''t ignore.d2


    The tales of the past were so vivid that a mere inquiry brought forth a slew of witnesses. Gleaning


    the gist was all too easy, especially with Damon, one of the involved parties, right by her side.


    Her prating gaze and assertive presence were enough to make one feel overpowered. "To


    come out and to spend Thanksgiving with Cicely, he''s endured a fever until now, not saying a word


    for fear that something would change because he gets sick. Do you know who caused all this?"


    Seth''s hands clenched in his pockets, his lips pressed into a thin line, and Chloe could see the


    tension etched across his face and body.


    But she had to make her point clear; Hugo was just a child.


    "You believe you wouldn''t harm him, but the damage is already done. How can anyone trust you


    now, Seth?"


    He stood like a bow strung tightly, ready to snap at any moment.


    "The deepest wounds in this world are often inflicted by those we love the most. And if there is a


    deeper pain, it''s when two people in love turn that love into a war. And that child was born on the


    battlefield of your struggles. The harm is done, and for that, neither of you deserves forgiveness.


    Don''t use your so-called love to hurt them again. If you can''t manage that, then stay away." Chloe''s


    voice was cool and stern, imbued with solemn reproach.


    After a long moment, the man who seemed carved from stone finally spoke, his voice a hoarse


    whisper."I won''t..."


    Won''t what?


    Won''t harm them again?


    In a sentence short of ten words, he managed only two.


    Chloe''s eyes met his, filled with a tumultuous emotion, but she forced herself to look away


    indifferently. "It''s for the best."


    Damon pulled her into his embrace, casting a cursory nce at Seth. "Chloe is right."


    Seth remained silent.


    Long after Damon and Chloe had left, Seth stirred his stiff body, slowly walked to the hospital room


    door, and gently ced his hand on the doorknob, followed by a prolonged silence. He hadn''t even


    considered the possibility that she would have a child with him in the present or the future.


    If she wasn''t willing, he would never force her. As long as she was by his side, that was enough.


    Cicely had actually borne him a child.


    The doorknob creaked under his grip. After a while, with a click, the door to the hospital room


    opened.


    Inside, a nurse stood watch. She stared at him with confusion and caution.


    "Sir, may I ask who you are."


    Seth''s eyes were fixed on the small figure lying quietly on therge, soft bed. For the first time in his


    life, Seth didn''t know how to answer that question.


    Who was he...


    Hecked the right, and the courage, to utter those words.


    Approaching the bed, the moment his gaze touched the child''s sleeping face, his heart skipped a


    beat before pounding like a drum.


    No wonder Cicely had tried so hard to hide him.


    No wonder Chloe had been so forthright earlier.


    He could never remain oblivious to this child''s existence. Just one look, and the truth was self-


    evident.


    "Are you the child''s father?" the nurse asked with a soft smile. "The little one is the spitting image of


    you."


    Seth remained silent.


    So it was.


    He watched Hugo for a long time. The eyebrows and the nose—they were all his.


    Reaching out, his hand gently touched Hugo''s forehead. The forehead was still feverish, beads of


    sweat covering the flushed face. Hisrge, well-defined hand could almost cradle the small face in


    its entirety.


    His son.


    His fingertips lightly touched Hugo''s furrowed brow, perhaps the coolness soothing the persistent


    fever, as the child''s frown gradually eased.


    Finally, his hand came to rest on the child''s head, watching the peaceful face, Seth''s eyes softened


    with a tenderness he hadn''t realized he possessed.


    Seth maintained his position, standing by the bed for a long while. The nurse, having waited


    patiently, finally approached to check on the sleeping child, letting out a relieved sigh. "Sir, the child


    is breaking the fever; I need to change his sweaty clothes. If you''d..."


    Seth''s fingers twitched, his gaze locked on the child''s face, his voice a deep rasp. "I''ll do it."


    The nurse hesitated for a moment, then quickly nodded.


    She brought clean clothes and directed Seth as he changed the child. His movements, cautious at


    first for fear of disturbing the little one, soon became more confident. Once he seemed to have it


    under control, the nurse fetched a basin of warm water and a towel to wipe the child down. Seth


    watched for a while, then took the towel from her, bending down to wipe Hugo''s body.


    The older nurse watched with a smile, "I''ve rarely seen a father so hands-on. Usually, it''s the


    grandmothers or the mothers who do all this."


    And he’s a man of such stature and handsomeness. Indeed, appearances can be deceiving.


    Seth was impassive, drying the child''s body, then carefully dressing him. During the process, he


    needed to lift Hugo to straighten the back of the shirt. In his half-awake state, Hugo let out a


    whimper against his shoulder.


    Seth stiffened, feeling a small hand grasp the cor of his shirt.


    "Mama..." The child''s sleepy voice echoed in his ear, and that instinctive murmur sent a pang


    through Seth''s heart.


    After settling Hugo back in bed, the child seemed to fall asleep again. But one hand kept gripping


    his cor, refusing to let go.


    Seth didn''t move, maintaining the awkward and ufortable pose.


    He didn’t say anything. He couldn''t see the child''s face, yet he felt the deep helplessness andck


    of security emanating from this little one.


    Gently pressing his forehead against Hugo''s, Seth''s throat tightened. Chloe was right; the harm had


    already been done.


    *


    When Damon returned with Chloe, Seth was waiting at the door.


    Upon seeing them, Seth asked. "What''s his name?"


    C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org.


    Chloe''s face was a mask of indifference, but her heart ached at the questioning from his lips.


    "Hugo."


    Seth''s dark eyes shifted slightly downwards, resting on the grout between the tiles, his expression


    serene and deep. "Thanks."


    "Seth." As he turned to leave, Chloe suddenly called out to him.


    Seth paused, his back still to her. Before she could speak, he said calmly, "I won''t use the kid as a


    bargaining chip."


    Chloe indeed remained silent after that.


    *


    Cicely''s phone battery had died. She had borrowed a charger from Charlie and it was nearly ten


    o''clock.


    It had been over two hours since she had sent Seth away. She didn''t believe he would actually go


    home to rest by himself.


    Charlie noticed Cicely''s frequent nces towards the window, a clear sign she was waiting for


    someone. He offered to help. "Ms. Cicely, should I go look for Mr. Diaz?"


    Cicely frowned slightly, her expression distant. "Why would his whereabouts concern me?"


    Charlie was speechless, his concern genuine. "Mr. Diaz didn''t tell me where he was either. I''m not


    sure what corner of the hospital he''s holed up in."


    Cicely pursed her lips, her face darkened. "Charlie, everyone knows you''re loyal to him. There''s no


    need to constantly remind me, making him out to be some pitiable soul. Do you think he''s the type


    to seek pity?"


    Charlie, caught in his intentions, fell silent.


    "Leave, I''m going to sleep."


    Charlie had juste in to prepare some warm milk for Cicely. It was ten o''clock, and he didn''t dare


    linger.


    Meanwhile, Seth was indeed as Charlie described, sitting on a wooden bench in the hospital''s


    garden, his coat unbuttoned and draped over the bench, a pack of cigarettes and a lightery


    discarded beside him.


    His long fingers held a half-smoked cigarette, with a collection of stubs at his feet.


    His expression was incredibly calm, his features rxed, the very picture of tranquility. But upon


    closer inspection, the cigarette between his fingers was crushed out of shape, and the ground was


    littered with simr remnants.


    He smoked one cigarette after another until the pack was empty. He leaned back, crushed the


    packet, tossed it aside, and then silence followed.


    The deep chill ofte October numbed to the bone. The darkness was filled with a heavy silence.


    By the time he returned to Cicely''s room, she was lying quietly on the bed. He approached, gazing


    down at her delicate and peaceful face with a tranquil expression.


    Asleep, she seemed a different person. All her pride, sarcasm, indifference, carelessness, intense


    hatred, and reckless love were all hidden behind her closed eyes.


    Cicely''s brows furrowed slightly, and Seth stepped back, but she opened her eyes anyway.


    She stared at him, her gaze cold and dismissive. "The smell of cigarette on you is disgusting." Her


    voice was cool and detached, not at all like someone rudely awakened from sleep.


    "Sorry." Seth apologized in a low, husky voice, then quickly entered the bathroom.


    Cicelyy still, lost in her thoughts.


    Seth showered and returned. Cicely hadn''t moved. He climbed into bed beside her, his movements


    gentle, not pulling her into his arms as he had before.


    Cicely braced herself for his embrace, but minutes passed with no such move. She didn''t remember


    falling asleep, but when she awoke, Seth was already dressing.


    Concerned about her grandfather''s surgery, her sleep had been restless.


    After freshening up, Cicely found Charlie had set up breakfast. She was a little pale and distracted


    by her concern for her grandfather''s surgery. Seth called her to breakfast with a detached tone. She


    didn''t refuse.


    After breakfast, she powered on her phone, which had been charging overnight. There were several


    missed calls from Chloe.


    Panic struck her, as she thought of Hugo. She wanted to return the calls, but seeing Seth, she


    hesitated, then pocketed her phone.


    Seth continued his meal, his face impassive.


    After a morning of tests and waiting for results, the surgery was scheduled for the afternoon.


    Cicely spent the morning by her grandfather''s side, silent, watching the old man''s gaunt and weary


    face, her emotions swirling.


    She remained quiet as she apanied him to the operating room, her slender figure and anxious


    expression making her seem even more fragile.


    Seth wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "It''ll be okay. The surgeon is very experienced."


    Cicely felt weak with nervousness, her body cold. The carefree fa?ade fromst night crumbled in


    the face of today''s challenge.


    She had only her grandfather left. She hadn''t been by his side for three years. If something went


    wrong with the surgery, she would never forgive herself.


    Danielle approached, escorted by bodyguards, her arms crossed. She wore a sterile suit, her


    expression calm yet pale.


    Seeing Cicely in Seth''s embrace at the operating room door, Danielle stopped, a hint of a smile on


    her lips.


    Cicely straightened up, stepping out of Seth''s arms. "If you don''t want to, I''ll do it."


    Danielle''s sarcasm was evident. "Then go ahead."


    Before Cicely could move, the hand on her shoulder pressed down with more force. "Cicely, I said


    no," Seth''s voice was low and authoritative, brooking no argument.


    Danielle nced coldly at him, then suddenlyughed, her face pale, her eyes red. "So after three


    years of ying along, you can''t even pretend anymore for this onest time?"


    Seth didn''t look at her, instead focusing on two tall men in sterile suits at the operating room door.


    "Take her in."


    Danielle''s eyes flickered at the sight of these men.


    These were men she had not encountered before. Clearly, Seth''s worry for her was so profound


    that he deliberately arranged for them to be present during the surgery to keep an eye on her.


    Huh.


    The epitome of imagining her malice, in all its breadth and depth.


    A tide of despair and biting irony swept through her, the more he guarded against her, the clearer it


    became to her.


    How contemptible she must be in his heart.


    She should have known this from three years ago, but had deluded herself, easily falling for his lies.


    The surgery was lengthy. Bncing the removal of blood with the transfusion of fresh blood, the


    intricate numbers allowed for no errors.


    Cicely''s hands and feet remained icy, even as Seth sped them tightly, only managing to squeeze


    out a palmful of cold sweat.


    She refused to sit down, standing guard at the door of the operating room, mustering herst bit of


    strength, her heart pausing for half-seconds at a time before resuming its frantic pace.


    Anxiety, disarray, helplessness, tension...


    The operationsted over four hours. When the doors of the OR finally swung open and the doctor


    announced "The surgery was a sess," Cicely''s body nearly copsed.


    Seth, who had been rigid with tension, rxed slightly, quickly catching Cicely, cradling her and


    gently patting her head with his deep, soothing voice. "It''s okay now."


    Cicely nodded through her tears, nodding incessantly. God knows what she had been worrying


    about.


    She was afraid that her grandfather wouldn''t make it through, and Danielle mightsh out


    unexpectedly.


    Thankfully, it was a sess.


    Danielle was wheeled out first, unconscious from the anesthesia-free blood transfusion and the


    excessive blood loss, herplexion as pale as a ghost, even her lips devoid of color.


    Cicely nced at her, then Seth led her aside.


    Erik was also wheeled out.


    *


    Hugo''s fever brokete at night, and he was discharged the next day.


    When Damon received the news immediately that Erik''s surgery was sessful, everyone at home


    breathed a sigh of relief. Alyssa clutched her chest, overwhelmed with relief. "He has pulled through


    again."


    Hugo sat quietly on the couch, leaning against Chloe, holding a slice of apple pie, his dark eyes


    nkly fixed ahead.


    After a high fever the night before and a morning spent sleeping, he ate lunch and yed with Anya


    for a bit. When Anya went for her nap, he refused to sleep again.


    Since noon, he had felt that something was off at home. Chloe spoke very little, and when she did,


    she seemed distracted, as if preupied. Damon''s attempts to cheer her up seemed futile, and


    grandma''s sighs filled the air numerous times.


    Now, the atmosphere had suddenly changed, and even though he didn''t know what had happened,


    he smiled along happily.


    "Ms. Chloe, is there something that''s made everyone really happy?"


    Chloe reached out and stroked Hugo''s little head, her voice thick with tenderness. "Yes, very


    happy."


    Hugo''s eyes suddenly sparkled, "Can you tell me? So when momes back, I can tell her, and


    make mom happy too."


    Chloe felt an unexpected surge of emotion, her face flushing with the effort to hold back tears. A


    two-year-old child, at an age when innocence should prevail, showed a sensitivity that was heart-


    wrenching.


    Alyssa couldn''t hold back either. "This child really knows how to touch people''s hearts."


    "Madam." Hannah, feeling helpless, quickly handed a tissue to Alyssa.


    Alyssa dabbed her eyes and, looking at the apple pie in Hugo''s hands, she changed the subject.


    "Hugo, eat your pie, don''t you like it?"


    Hugo shook his head, "I like it. I''ll wait to eat it with mom."


    Alyssa paused for a moment, then quickly covered her eyes with the tissue.


    Chloe hugged Hugo close, "There''s plenty more. You can have some now."


    Hugo stubbornly shook his head.