The Enticing CEO’s Chosen Bride

Yulia’s struggle to break free from Nathan’s grip was futile. She was incensed, nearly losing her mind.

How could he bring up Anya out of the blue?

Her mind was a blank slate, her only thought was to deny everything.

Ronald simply stared at Nathan, a bruise marring his otherwise handsome face, and his faint smirk was unbearably

irritating. “It was a sham marriage from the start. Thanks for playing house, but it’s time she came back to me.”

Yulia’s entire body trembled. “Shut up, Ronald. Just shut up!”

In the next moment, she stumbled, and before she could regain her footing, Nathan had dragged her through the

lobby of the apartment complex without further discussion.d2

“Nathan!” Yulia had no clue what he was planning, but a sense of dread overwhelmed her.

Throwing Yulia into the elevator, Nathan frantically jabbed the close button before Ronald could catch up. The

elevator, holding just the two of them, was charged with tension, their rapid breathing the only sound.

Pressed against the cold metal walls, Yulia pursed her lips, her face ashen, barely daring to breathe too loudly. She

was on high alert, watching Nathan for any sudden moves, terrified of the darkness she saw in him. Her wrist,

gripped tightly in his hand, throbbed painfully, as if her blood flow had been cut off.

“So, Anya isn’t your sister, huh?” Nathan’s voice, cold and harsh, made her flinch.

It was a statement, not a question.

“No, Anya is my sister…”

Nathan let out a bitter laugh, turning to her with a menacing look. “Yulia, do you really think DNA can’t tell the

difference between sisters and a mother-daughter pair?”

Her fingertips trembled, and after a fleeting panic in her eyes, despair took over.

The elevator doors slid open, and Nathan yanked her out. They burst into the apartment where Carly was looking

after Anya. Hearing the commotion, Carly barely had time to rise before Nathan stormed in with Yulia stumbling

behind, looking disheveled.

Startled, Carly quickly covered Anya’s eyes and stayed silent. There was no time for greetings before the pair

ascended the stairs.

Yulia was flung onto the bed. Nathan loomed over her, his legs pinning her down.

Her voice shook. “Nathan…”

He pressed down on her shoulders, leaning in to meet her gaze.

Apart from his angry eyes, he made no move.

Despite her fear, Yulia could still see the unmistakable disdain in Nathan’s eyes. She suddenly felt calm. Of course.

How could she forget? He was a Harper, with any woman at his beck and call.

Clean, docile, a dime a dozen, just like his latest fling, that was what he preferred. Not someone like her, who

schemed her way up, dirty and calculating, willing to sell herself for gain, and now, even had a child with another

man.

He had every right to loathe her.

Nathan didn’t touch her. He rolled off and stood by the bed, looking down at her. “Are you going to come clean, or

should I take Anya to the hospital myself?”

Yulia tensed once more. She sat up, meeting his gaze. “Whether she’s my sister or my daughter, it’s none of your

business. You’ve been wanting a divorce, right? I’ll agree to it.”

Silence fell like death.

Yulia bit her lip. “I appreciate your patience these past days. I’ve been content. I’ve dragged the divorce out too

long, and it’s time it ended.”

“Is it time, or have you found a surefire escape and think I’m of no further use to you?”

Yulia fell silent, then said slowly, “Think what you want. As long as you’re satisfied, that’s all that matters to me.”

She was accustomed to his disdain and insults. What more could she not endure? It was her fault, after all.

Her acceptance only fueled Nathan’s scorn. “Yulia, you’re unbelievable. You shamelessly schemed into marriage,

and now you’re shamelessly seeking a way out. Well, your dignity isn’t worth much. Seems like you’ve put a price

on yours, and I doubt anyone’s dignity is worth more than yours.”

Yulia bit her lip harder, enduring Nathan’s insults in silence.

“But are you really content? After being tossed aside without a second thought, you’re still eager to crawl back? Tell

me, Yulia, have you always been this desperate, or do you think you can’t survive without a man?”

Yulia swallowed hard, feeling a painful dryness in her throat. “You’re right, I have no shame, and you’ve known that

from day one.”

Her confession made Nathan feel like he was about to explode.

“I can’t even imagine what Anya will turn into under your guidance.”

“It doesn’t concern you!”

Yulia, who had been relatively composed, suddenly changed at the mention of Anya. She became defensive, her

suppressed sharpness now fully evident.

Nathan paused, staring down at her, taken aback by her sudden shift.

Yulia’s eyes flickered but avoided his gaze. She clumsily got up from the bed. “It really has nothing to do with you.

We’re going to divorce. No matter if Anya is my sister or my daughter, and no matter what she turns into, it has

nothing to do with you. I’m ready to handle the divorce anytime. I… I need to pack. I’ll move out tomorrow.”

In that moment, all she wanted was to be away from Nathan. Being near him any longer, she feared she might give

herself away. She was never fooled by Nathan’s wild and reckless façade. Nathan possessed the wisdom and

presence expected of anyone bearing the Harper legacy. His insights were keen, provided he deemed a matter

worthy of his attention.

Yulia was afraid, terrified that he could see right through her. She was eager to leave, but Nathan’s grip on her wrist

pulled her back. His fingers tilted her chin upward, forcing her to meet his gaze. His gazes, at such close range,

seemed endlessly dark.

He studied her for a long moment before his eyes narrowed slightly and he spoke. “What are you so afraid of?”

Yulia’s body tensed, and the pressure on her wrist increased ever so slightly.

“Yulia, are you keeping something from me?”

“No…”

She twisted her neck, trying to break free from his hold. She didn’t succeed, but she managed to avoid his probing

eyes.

“Look, I admit I have no connection to Anya, but why are you so on edge about it?” Nathan paused and then

ventured, “Are you afraid I’ll fight you for Anya?”

Her worst fear, so abruptly voiced, left Yulia utterly stunned. Frozen in Nathan’s embrace, she had no clue what to

say.

Nathan’s gaze tightened on her. “Even if she’s your daughter, what right do I have to fight you for her? Yulia, unless

Anya isn’t really your and Ronald’s daughter, is she?”

Yulia felt her head might explode. Anya was involved, and Yulia couldn’t remain indifferent, not even pretend to.

Yet Nathan kept pressing, adding, “Or is it possible that Anya is actually…”

Yulia’s temples throbbed as if they might burst. “Nathan, Anya is my life. No one can speak of her lightly. She

belongs to me and me alone. I just want to protect her, to ensure she grows up healthy, without a care in the world.

Whether she’s my sister or my daughter, it makes no difference to me. That’s her story. But…”

She paused, then slowly lifted her gaze to Nathan. “Ronald shouldn’t have mentioned Anya, and you… what you’re

doing… You might disregard my feelings, but what about Anya? Do you realize how many people are pointing

fingers at her now. I won’t allow anything to hurt Anya.”

Nathan fell silent, Yulia’s words hitting him with sudden clarity. He hadn’t thought it all through at first. He hadn’t

considered the impact the rumors might have on Anya.

Whether Anya was Yulia’s sister or daughter, both identities were endlessly scrutinized by the public.

His grip on Yulia’s hand relaxed slightly. “So, is Anya actually your daughter?”