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 occasional

she felt her

more.

embrace, but it was only a moment before she hit

her body wracked with the

organs aching.

time, a metallic taste filled her

illuminated her surroundings, revealing she had

base of the mountain. Exhausted and in pain,

a while, moving her limbs feebly before finally settling

lightning’s flash, she surveyed the area. The

could barely open

hand to shield them, lying silently in the

or use

drained, hurting, and struggling seemed

wouldn’t give up on her. Nor would the

whether she’d live

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

voice she recognized. “Yasmine?!”

weakly moved her arm,

faint, but the person heard her. Yasmine could sense

in until the light finally settled on

over, shocked by

shaken as she helped Yasmine

fall

her, “More like flew

her face, “You’re

expect you to be the

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

me. If you fell from the top,

worst place you could

weak smile, “Truly the

police and

there’s a cave nearby, hidden away. Let me take you there. This

too heavy.”

“I can’t walk…”

helped Yasmine sit up and handed her a flashlight.

her, “Climb on

slender, fragile silhouette, feeling a mix of

and gratitude. Hot tears flowed

can’t carry me.”

draping it over her shoulder.

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

my family. You’re lighter than a load

steadied Yasmine and

behind its vine-covered entrance

settled Yasmine next to

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

more pain. She tried to clean the mud without touching

should probably take off those

in those

at her soiled attire and frowned

began helping her

asked you,” she muttered while helping Yasmine

“I’ve got no fire in me. You hide in the

look

helpless as a fish on a cutting board, barely able

anything but let Ava

God, Look at your injuries. You must hurt

slight shake of her

her eyes. “Why you gotta be so tough?

yet you won’t admit it. You shouldn’t be like

get the wrong idea.”

Yasmine insisted. “I just

moment and nodded. “I guess