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

her body hanging in mid-air,

more.

braced for death’s embrace, but it was only

with the same excruciating pain

organs aching.

time, a metallic

illuminated her surroundings, revealing she had landed

of land—likely the base of the mountain. Exhausted and

her limbs feebly before finally settling

the lightning’s flash, she surveyed the area. The rain stung her

could barely open

her hand to shield them, lying silently in the downpour, wondering

or use

hurting, and struggling seemed

up on her. Nor would the cops. They lived by the rule:

The question was whether she’d live to see their

what felt like an eternity, a light suddenly swept her way,

voice she recognized. “Yasmine?!”

her arm, “I’m

voice was faint, but the person heard

in until the light finally

Ava!” Ava rushed over, shocked by

as she helped Yasmine to

fall from the

against her, “More

mud from her

to be

brushed Yasmine’s hair back, “Did you forget?

better than me. If

worst place you could

weak

Save your strength. The police

cave nearby, hidden away.

too heavy.”

“I can’t walk…”

and handed her a flashlight.

her, “Climb

Ava’s slender, fragile

flowed down her

can’t carry me.”

draping it over her

a sack of flour up the mountain when I was five. I bundle all

You’re lighter than

she steadied Yasmine

cave wasn’t far, and behind its vine-covered

Yasmine next

on Yasmine’s body, Ava hesitated,

She tried to clean the

suggesting, “You should probably take off those clothes.

naked than in those

and frowned but shook her head.

her

shouldn’t have asked you,” she muttered while helping

got no fire in me. You hide

look

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

anything but let Ava strip her

your injuries.

slight shake of her head, “Doesn’t

be so tough? It’s clear as day

yet you won’t admit it. You shouldn’t be like that, you know. People

get the wrong idea.”

not painful,” Yasmine insisted.

a moment and nodded.