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.

build, was not a man to be trifled with. Too many times Yulia

in. The art of gentleness was something she wished

an

her eyes.

the room, but she didn’t mind. However, she couldn’t ignore it

his

on her skin.

had to pay

propped herself against his shoulder, catching

him.

her lip and chuckled softly, “Don’t flatter yourself. Even if you wanted me now, you

me.”

the covers back, wrapped her in a towel, and carried her to

her

Yulia saw the food on the coffee table, she remembered she hadn’t eaten at all.

joined the conversation. Her stomach grumbled on

flushed, clutched the towel and tried to

around her waist and he picked up a bowl of

“Stay put.”

Yulia protested, “I’m hungry too.

forked up a bite

accepted and

bite himself. After she finished,

of food, knowing Nathan’s

between feeding himself and Yulia. Of course, he ate

Yulia was full and refused more food,

before giving up.

her, Yulia’s fatigue eased

nearly dawn.

taken their toll. Once back

distracted all day. At the company, his brother was hardly managing things,

flooded with unread documents.

to leave the comfort of his bed, he skimmed through

a rough idea in mind, he tossed the phone aside, content

drifted off

—

woke first, courtesy of her internal clock.

smiling softly as she lay on his

devilish charm, it was as though he was crafted solely to

seemed almost gentle.

out and sketched his features in the air, admiring the canvas that should

just her. His beauty begged for exploration, but here he was, hers and

her lips curve into a wider grin. He pretended to

to be an innocent

Pfft.

into Yulia’s head unexpectedly,

close distance, Nathan woke up as soon as she pressed against his chest.

but feel it had something to do with

her, he saw that indeed,

this early, huh?