The Enticing CEO’s Chosen Bride

No freaking way!

Nathan blinked. Pinching Anya’s chubby cheeks, he teased, “Come on, my little munchkin, flash me another smile.”

But Anya was having none of it at this point.

The little girl was at that age where she needed constant praise, and after Nathan had offhandedly called her ugly,

she was a mix of hurt, angry, and pouty. Smiling was the last thing on her mind.

With her lips pursed and brows furrowed, she twisted her little shoulders away, wanting nothing to do with Nathan.

“Hey, look at that temper,” Nathan chuckled, genuinely puzzled about who she might have gotten that from.d1

Yulia? He rarely, if ever, saw Yulia throw a tantrum. Thinking about it, Yulia seemed mostly well-behaved. But ever

since that Ronald started hogging the spotlight, he began to suspect that Yulia was not as innocent as she seemed.

Raising an eyebrow, Nathan scratched Anya’s chin playfully. “Are you going to smile or what?”

“Hmph, Nathan, you’re annoying.”

Nathan grinned, scooping Anya up in his arms. “If you won’t smile, then so be it. I don’t have much of a memory for

my brother’s grins anyway. I’ll ask him about it tomorrow.”

Carrying Anya out, they were met by Carly in the living room, who quickly said, “Dinner’s all warmed up. Should I

call Yulia to join us?”

Nathan hoisted a moody Anya onto his shoulder. “No need, I’ll bring something up to her in a bit.”

Anya, initially nervous high up on Nathan’s shoulder, clung to his head for dear life. Once she was sure he wouldn’t

drop her, her fears dissolved into giggles, the previous insult forgotten.

Carly watched Anya’s happiness spread and couldn’t help but smile with relief.

“I’ll go get ready then. Anya should be going to bed soon. You guys eat, and I’ll take care of her.”

Nathan nodded, and Anya, now addicted to the fun of riding on his neck, wriggled and laughed even more.

“You aiming for the stars or what?” He gripped her tightly, playfully swaying her back and forth, which made her

cling to him, laughing and screaming.

After a few minutes, Nathan’s feeling of unease grew. “All right, that’s enough. Time to get ready for bed.”

He set Anya down on the couch as Carly came out with a tray of food. Taking the tray from Carly, Nathan glanced

at Anya, who was now curled up in a ball on the couch. “Make sure you sleep tight, you hear?”

Anya pouted and huffed but said nothing.

Upstairs, Yulia was sprawled out in bed, too tired to move a muscle.

a man to be trifled with. Too many times

of gentleness was something she

familiar kick from an impatient foot. Yulia’s eyelids

her eyes.

she didn’t mind. However, she couldn’t

her, his broad, warm palm

on her skin.

had to

propped herself against his shoulder, catching

him.

and chuckled softly, “Don’t flatter yourself. Even if

me.”

that, he flipped the covers back, wrapped her in a towel, and carried her to the sofa by the window,

with her on his

coffee table, she remembered she hadn’t eaten at all. Now that

joined the conversation. Her stomach grumbled

flushed, clutched the towel and

her waist and he picked up a

“Stay put.”

“I’m hungry too.

a bite and fed

reluctantly accepted and eventually chewed

comply and took a bite himself.

had prepared lots of food, knowing

between feeding himself and Yulia.

food, but Nathan

before giving up.

in her, Yulia’s fatigue eased

it was nearly

back

At the company, his brother was hardly managing things,

flooded with unread documents.

relaxed and not wanting to

on his phone. With a rough idea in mind, he tossed the phone aside, content

drifted

—

courtesy of her internal clock. She saw Nathan and stiffened for just

on his chest, gazing at

with such a devilish charm, it was as though he was crafted solely to tempt women. In his

seemed almost gentle.

his features in the air, admiring the canvas

beauty begged for exploration, but here he was,

her lips curve into a wider grin. He

to be

Pfft.

innocent virgin popped into Yulia’s head unexpectedly, and she couldn’t suppress

up as soon as she pressed against his chest. Now, hearing her

he couldn’t help but feel it had something to do

eyes to stare at her, he saw

giggly this early, huh? Dreaming up some