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.

enveloped her, punctuated only by occasional flashes

when she felt her

more.

was only a moment

the

organs aching.

metallic taste

illuminated her surroundings, revealing she had

stretch of land—likely the base of

while, moving her limbs feebly before finally settling

she surveyed the area. The rain

could barely open her

to shield them,

ever walk or use her hands

hurting, and struggling seemed

Nor would the cops. They lived by the rule:

no case. The question was whether

eternity, a light suddenly

voice she recognized. “Yasmine?!”

moved her arm,

voice was faint, but the person heard

until the light finally

rushed over,

shaken as she helped

you really fall from

against her,

wiped the mud from her face, “You’re

you to

“Did you forget?

me. If you fell from

you could end

a weak smile, “Truly the

strength. The police and Bryson are looking

nearby, hidden away. Let me take you there.

too heavy.”

“I can’t walk…”

sit up and handed her a flashlight. Then

her, “Climb on my

at Ava’s slender, fragile

tears flowed down her rain-chilled cheeks.

can’t carry me.”

turned, grabbing Yasmine’s arm and draping it over her shoulder. “I

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

You’re lighter than a load

she steadied Yasmine and slowly rose to her

far, and behind its vine-covered entrance lay a stockpile

Ava settled Yasmine next to

Yasmine’s body, Ava hesitated, not wanting

clean the mud without touching the

“You should probably take off those clothes.

in those

her soiled attire and frowned but

began helping her

asked you,” she muttered while helping Yasmine out

fire in me. You hide in the haystack

look for

was as helpless as a fish

but let Ava

your injuries. You must hurt like

shake of her head, “Doesn’t

“Why you gotta 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.”

painful,” Yasmine insisted. “I just

nodded. “I