The Enticing CEO’s Chosen Bride novel Chapter 2051

The old lady's eyes widened with surprise. "Morning sickness? These days, young folks don't even know when they're pregnant?" Cicely just stared blankly for a long moment before slowly shaking her head. "No..."

The old lady furrowed her brows and took Cicely's arm, resting her fingers gently on her wrist. "I've been a midwife all my life, brought six of my own into the world, and my kids have given me a baker's dozen of grandbabies. I've seen my share of expectant mothers, and if I can't spot a bun in the oven, I might as well hang up my hat. There you have it, darling, a baby pulse. Barely six weeks along, and you're feeling the pangs a bit early, aren't you?"

Cicely felt dazed as her hand instinctively touched her flat belly. She felt like she was in a trance.

Why did everything have to come crashing down today?

The old lady had seen all sorts of reactions from mothers-to-be when they found out about their pregnancy.

Cicely's look was nothing new to her.d2

Chuckling softly, she patted Cicely's shoulder. "Bless your heart, go tell your folks. And if you don't take my word for it, get a thorough checkup with them. But I'm telling you, you're in the family way. Here, have one of these. My rascal of a grandson thought he'd play a prank on me with these sour candies. And he gave me so many all at once."

As she spoke, the old lady fished out a handful of candies and handed them to Cicely.

Cicely wandered over to the sink in a daze, rinsed her mouth, and mechanically unwrapped a piece of candy, popping it into her mouth.

It was sour.

She never had a taste for it before, but now, it seemed more delightful than even her favorite comfort food.

*

Cicely, who hadn't planned on resting, went upstairs to find an apple in the fruit bowl of her room. She clumsily peeled it and ate it, then curled up on the bed, hand on her belly, and closed her eyes.

Half an hour later, she found herself back outside the emergency room.

Issac still hadn't emerged. Brody sat there, head lowered. Cicely's silent approach allowed her to see a tear drop to the floor beside him. Her heart clenched painfully, but she swallowed back the rising sorrow and took a seat next to him.

Brody finally noticed her, jerking upright and frantically wiping his tear-streaked face. Turning to Cicely, he didn't catch her eye as she stared at the clock above the emergency room door.

Brody was relieved she hadn't seen him in that vulnerable moment. "He's still in there. Miss, why don't you rest a bit more?"

"I managed to sleep for half an hour, and I even had an apple." She figured the best way to repay everyone's care was to look after herself. Apart from that, she didn't know what else she could do.

Brody managed a relieved smile. "A bit more rest would do you good."

Cicely couldn't muster a smile, but her lips curled into a semblance of one. "When Issac comes out, I'll make sure to sleep even longer."

Brody just chuckled, "As long as you get enough rest."

Cicely didn't respond, just fished another candy from her pocket and unwrapped it.

*

Evening turned to night, and eight long hours passed with the red light outside the emergency room still burning.

Nurses and doctors came and went, the urgency of their movements a clear sign that the situation was dire.

With each ticking second, Cicely's despair deepened, and Brody's forced composure also began to crumble.

*

The Ellis Group was indeed in chaos, because Seth didn't arrive at the hospital until past eight.

Cicely was no different than a living corpse now. Brody was pale and shaking, barely able to keep himself together, let alone offer Cicely any comfort.

The emergency room doors swung open and shut, with medics rushing back and forth, signaling a critical phase in the operation.

Cicely sat motionless, her mind blank with shock.

Charlie, witnessing the scene, felt his heart pounding as if it would burst from his chest. What would happen if Issac couldn't make it?

As that thought gripped him, the light outside the emergency room dimmed.

Cicely turned to him in disarray, tears covering her entire face. There was thick hatred in her eyes, and every word she said was like a knife edge.

As if she had realized something in an instant, she suppressed all her emotions, staring at him, "What can you do if you're here? What can you do? Can you save him? If you can't, get out!"

A flush spread across Seth's cold face as he looked at her holding back her already erupting anger, engulfed in overwhelming grief, and coldly watcjing him.

He was surprised by the depth of Cicely's feelings for Issac. Underneath their customary and bland interactions, such deep feelings were hidden. "So..." When he spoke again, his tight voice was hoarse, "You're saying if Issac really dies, you won't want me either?"

Cicely clenched her hand tightly, her fingertips piercing her palm. "Yes! If Issac dies, I don't want you either!"

...

The air around them seemed to be vacuumed out. Seth stared at her face, his eyes dark as a night sky heavy with storm clouds, obscure and profound.

Charlie felt suffocated at his side, as if an unseen force was crushing his chest.

No one knew what Seth was thinking. Whether he wanted to strangle the woman before him or simply cut ties with her once and for all.

But Cicely didn't want to waste another minute with this man. He wouldn't kill her, not now at least. And if he wanted to break things off, she couldn't care less.

She struggled to free herself from his embrace and turned to leave with cold indifference, but a strong force yanked her back with vigor.

Seth held her wrists above her head, his dark eyes locking onto hers from a closer distance. His voice was more hoarse than ever. He watched her for a long while before slowly speaking, "Cicely, I'm asking you one more time, and think carefully before you answer. The doctor has already signed Issac’s death warrant. Are you sure you want to do the same to us?"

Cicely's heart clenched, and an uncontrollable heavy pain spread a little bit upwards towards her eyes. She had already given him an answer once, but this time, to repeat it, the words stuck in her throat, unable to be voiced. If she really said it, it might be the end of whatever was between her and Seth.

However, if Issac was truly gone, could the two of them pretend nothing had happened and stay together?

No, they couldn't.

"Without Issac to witness our wedding, I'd rather not have it. So yes, you're right, Seth. Unless Issac can pull through, the day he stops breathing is the day I file for divorce from you."