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.

punctuated only by

felt her body hanging in mid-air, she

more.

embrace, but it was

wracked with the same excruciating pain

organs aching.

metallic taste filled

of lightning illuminated her surroundings, revealing she had landed

base of the mountain.

there for a while, moving her limbs feebly before finally

the area. The rain

could barely

to shield them,

walk or use

hurting,

give up on her. Nor would

whether she’d live to see their

light suddenly swept her way,

voice she recognized. “Yasmine?!”

weakly moved her

person

the light finally

rushed over, shocked by

was visibly shaken as she helped Yasmine

really fall

against her, “More like flew

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

expect you to

back, “Did you forget? This mountain

me. If you

worst place you could end

weak

police and Bryson are looking for

away. Let me take you there. This

too heavy.”

“I can’t walk…”

helped Yasmine sit up and handed

front of her, “Climb on my

Ava’s slender, fragile

Hot tears flowed down

can’t carry me.”

turned, grabbing Yasmine’s arm and draping it over her

sack of flour up the mountain when I was five.

my family. You’re lighter than a

she steadied Yasmine and

far, and behind its vine-covered entrance

Ava settled Yasmine next to some dry

Yasmine’s body,

clean the mud without touching the

take off those clothes.

than in

her soiled attire and

began helping her undress without

asked you,” she muttered

hide in the

to look

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

let

at your injuries. You must hurt like

shake

be so tough? It’s clear as day

You shouldn’t be like that, you know. People

get the wrong idea.”

not painful,” Yasmine insisted. “I just feel really

and nodded. “I guess that