The Enticing CEO’s Chosen Bride novel Chapter 1878

After a deep kiss, Chloe's cheeks inevitably blushed a conspicuous shade of crimson.

Damon glanced at the little babies and pursed his lips, far from pleased. Clearly, they were like two little gooseberries.

"Join me for lunch."

It was only away from these little gooseberries that they could have their real alone time.

Chloe instinctively turned towards the bed, where their adorable babies lay, her expression filled with reluctance. She hadn't spent that much time with the babies, after all.

Damon’s firm hand on her waist tightened slightly.d2

"They've taken up so much of the time that belongs to me. The only reason they've gotten away with it is for your sake, because they're your precious ones."

Chloe blinked. "They're your precious ones too."

Damon's lips formed a straight line, his demeanor clearly showing a touch of annoyance. "If you keep favoring them over me, they might just lose that privilege."

Chloe couldn't help but chuckle, reaching up to touch his forehead. "Come on, wake up. They're your son and daughter, your flesh and blood. You should be happy I love them so much."

Damon took her hand from his forehead and bit gently on her knuckle. "I used to let them have their way, but not anymore. If you don't start reflecting and take action, they'll never get another minute of your time from me."

Chloe laughed in spite of herself. "What do you want for lunch? I'll make it and bring it over."

That finally got a smile out of Damon. "I want anything you make."

Chloe smiled back, straightened his clothes, and stepped out of his embrace. "You really should get going."

Damon glanced outside the window. Then nonchalantly turned back, "He can be an eyesore sometimes."

Chloe raised an eyebrow and looked out the window, "Maybe he really did something wrong."

Damon checked his watch, his voice cool and detached, "Is that so?"

Chloe sighed softly, found a jacket for Damon, and helped him into it. "Let them sort it out."

"Mm."

He walked over to the bed, kissed each of the tiny, soft cheeks, and then headed downstairs.

Nate was already waiting by the door. He quickly opened the car door when he saw Damon emerge.

The car rolled away from the house, and Chloe stood by the window, watching the vehicle until it was out of sight.

The gate opened, but instead of leaving slowly as usual, Damon's car stopped under that ginkgo tree, right beside that man.

Chloe saw Boyd's gaze shift to the car.

The window rolled down, and Damon's handsome profile reflected in Boyd's light brown eyes. His cold personality made his eyes seem like they were naturally imbued with a chill. His smile was cold and unassuming.

Since Damon forcibly took Yasmine away right under his nose last time, Boyd seemed to have been holding a grudge. Even now, standing on Damon's soil, he couldn't hide his hostility.

Damon smirked and glanced at his watch. "I hear you made a mistake once."

He cut straight to the point, hitting Boyd's sore spot.

Boyd's brow furrowed, but Damon watched him with a half-smile.

"You couldn’t receive forgiveness even after seven or eight years. The mistake must have been quite outrageous."

His smile and words were laced with mockery, irritating Boyd. "What are you trying to say?"

Damon's gaze was drawn to a falling maple leaf, "Not giving up?"

Boyd's hands in his pockets clenched suddenly.

Watching the leaf hit the ground, Damon spoke again, "Better to atone with death than live without forgiveness?"

Nate, sitting in the driver's seat, was slightly taken aback. When had Damon started meddling in others' affairs? Even if it involved his wife's mother, feelings between two people couldn't be interfered with, no matter how close they were. Hadn't his wife always been clear on that?

And Damon was never the type to meddle. What was going on today?

Damon's words provoked a glare from Boyd. "It is none of your business."

Nate scratched his head uncomfortably. He sneaked a glance at Damon's expression – there was nothing unusual.

"Out of my generosity, I'll let you linger until death. But it seems to me, rather than wasting away here, you might as well end it now and spare yourself some agony. I understand though, fear of death is human nature."

Damon finished calmly, lifting his eyes to Boyd once more with a mocking smile.

The window closed, and the car departed. Chloe watched Damon's car disappear completely before turning her gaze to Boyd. He stood unchanged, motionless, lost in thought. After a while, he suddenly reached for a cigarette, lit it, and stood facing the mansion's gate, silent and still.

It’s too far to make out his expression.

Curious, Chloe wondered what Damon had said to him. It was rare to see Boyd smoke. Was he upset?

Though puzzled, she couldn't come up with an answer. She turned back to the bed, and seeing her babies' joyful laughter, she couldn't resist showering them with kisses.

Elizabeth knocked and entered. She went straight to the adorable little ones. Delighted by their lively cuteness, she buried her face in their small chests, causing them to giggle. Then she stood up, her face turning to Chloe with a hint of grievance.

"What's wrong?"

Elizabeth took a deep breath, looking ready to cry, "Chloe, did you say something to your mother?"

Chloe was confused: "Hm?"

"She's packing up. And she says you're kicking her out."

Chloe paused, then laughed helplessly.

"Is it true, Chloe?"

Chloe nodded. "Yeah. I did mention it to her."

--

Boyd had just lit his second cigarette when Yasmine's figure appeared at the door. He crushed the cigarette beneath his shoe, grinding it into nothingness. He straightened up, a hand emerging from his pocket, and watched, somewhat awkwardly, as Yasmine approached.

"Yasmine..."

He eagerly wanted to get closer to her, but Yasmine frowned slightly, staring at his raised hand, and pursed her lips. There was a faint emotion in her eyes, but in Boyd's eyes, it was her utmost disgust.

He paused and drew his hand back. She hated the smell of smoke.

"Do you have any idea how much of a nuisance it's been, you showing up here every day for months?"

Boyd was silent for a moment, then bent down to pick up a handful of ginkgo leaves, rubbing the hand that had just held the cigarette.

Yasmine averted her gaze from the sight of his hand marked by the golden leaves, her lips pressed tight.

"They're troubled by it, and that's their problem. I didn't stop them from being happy."

Yasmine's eyes narrowed, "Why are you playing dumb? They hate you, and you know it."

"They could learn to like me." Boyd released the leaves, his hand cut by their edges. "You've been here long enough. It's not right, with Chloe married and all. You've been staying for over three months, don't you think it's inappropriate?"

Yasmine stepped back, "That's none of your business. Boyd, leave now."

Boyd looked at her calmly, "Thirsty?"

Her brow furrowed in annoyance.

Boyd continued, "How many times have you said that? It's proven useless, so why waste your breath?"

Yasmine was silent, the tension between them thick in the air.

Boyd caught a falling ginkgo leaf, turning it over in his hand. "The Harper kid told me that since I've made an unforgivable mistake, I should atone with my life."

Yasmine watched him warily, her eyes searching for his point.

"I did wrong and don't deserve forgiveness, but dying as atonement is not something I'm willing to do. He said I'm just not willing to accept it."

Boyd nodded, "He's right."

There was a pause before Boyd continued, "But then he said that instead of wasting time here, it would be better to end it all now, to spare the extra torment." He sighed, "I hate to admit it, but I can't deny he's right."

Impatience flickered in Yasmine's eyes, "So what are you trying to say?!"

"So..." Boyd suddenly flashed a wry smile, "He says I'm not willing to accept that you're not mine."

His expression cleared in a strangely liberating way, but Yasmine felt a chill envelop her. She realized what he was hinting at, her eyes widened with alarm. Pulling her shawl tighter, she took a step back and turned to leave.

Yasmine's arm was pinned with surprising strength. "Boyd!" Yasmine's voice carried a clear note of anger.

Boyd did not let go. Instead, he stepped closer, trapping her body against his. "Why should I waste my time here, just waiting to end up with the same outcome as the last one? I'm not content with you not being mine, Yasmine. That's not what I'm here for."