The Enticing CEO’s Chosen Bride

The moment the branch snapped, Yasmine’s heart skipped a beat as if she

were plummeting down a cliffside. But in that brief instant, she felt an odd sense

of relief.

At last, she could shake off Boyd and Serana, those two thorns in her side. Now,

she could breathe easy, no longer needing to trouble her mind over their drama.

It had been quite the headache dealing with them both.

Boyd would be pleased. Serana, the apple of his eye, was safe and Yasmine,

the heartless one, wouldn’t be a sore sight for him anymore.

She wasn’t a fool though. She wouldn’t gamble with her life just to play

matchmaker for them. In this moment, she was determined to survive at all

Enter title…

costs.

Thankfully, it wasn’t a sheer cliff she was dealing with.

However, the fall from the tree to the mountain’s side was significant, and when

she landed, the impact sent a jolt through her body as if every organ had been

shattered. The pain was so intense, she couldn’t pinpoint where it hurt the

most.d2

As she slid down the mountain, the thick underbrush and brambles tore at her

clothes, now muddy and ripped. Instinctively, she reached for anything to steady

herself.

At first, her descent was too rapid, and each grasp at stability only led to more

sliding. After several attempts, she managed to slow down.

Finally, gripping a protruding rock, she steadied herself, but the rain had

loosened the stones, and before she could catch her breath, the rock split,

sending her sliding down once again.

Rain washed soil down the mountainside, forming streams of mud that

cascaded over her. Twigs snapped and pebbles pelted her from above. Thorns

scratched her face, and her clothes were a mess, revealing legs and arms

littered with cuts of all sizes.

Initially, she had the strength to struggle, to fight for her life, but as the cold rain

numbed her pain, her strength waned. Though her speed had lessened, even

grasping for a handhold became too much effort.

Yasmine sighed, a bitter laugh escaping her lips in the midst of the downpour.

The irony wasn’t lost on her. Risking her life to save the very person she

despised, it sounded like a heroic tale of self-sacrifice.

But when had she ever been the saintly type?

Yasmine mused ruefully. Well, if this was to be her end, at least she’d leave

behind a noble reputation.

her, punctuated only by occasional flashes

her

more.

braced for death’s embrace, but it was only a moment

her body wracked with the same excruciating pain as

organs aching.

a metallic

bolt of lightning illuminated her surroundings,

of the mountain. Exhausted and in pain,

moving her limbs

lightning’s flash, she surveyed the

barely open her

them, lying silently in the downpour,

ever walk or

drained, hurting, and struggling

up on her. Nor would the cops. They lived

whether she’d

what felt like an eternity, a light suddenly

voice she recognized. “Yasmine?!”

her arm,

voice was faint, but the person heard

until the light

over, shocked

was visibly shaken as she helped Yasmine

really fall from

slumped against her, “More like

wiped the mud from her face, “You’re one lucky

you to be

“Did you forget? This mountain is

No one knows it better than me. If

worst place you could

a weak smile,

talking. Save your strength. The police and

cave nearby, hidden away. Let me take you there.

too heavy.”

“I can’t walk…”

helped Yasmine sit up and handed her a

of her, “Climb

looked at Ava’s slender, fragile silhouette, feeling

tears flowed

can’t carry me.”

and draping it over

the mountain when I was five. I bundle

family. You’re lighter than a

she steadied Yasmine and

behind its vine-covered entrance

next to some

the wounds on Yasmine’s body, Ava hesitated, not wanting

She tried to clean

probably take off those clothes. You’d

than in those

her soiled attire and frowned but shook her

began helping her undress without

have asked you,” she muttered while helping Yasmine

no fire in me. You hide in the haystack

look

as helpless as a fish on a cutting board, barely able

anything but let Ava

at your injuries. You must

gave a slight shake of

“Why you gotta be so tough? It’s clear as

shouldn’t be like

get the wrong idea.”

Yasmine insisted. “I

a moment and nodded. “I guess that