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

felt her body hanging in

more.

death’s embrace, but it was only a moment before

the same excruciating pain as before,

organs aching.

time, a metallic taste filled her

of lightning illuminated her surroundings, revealing

base of

there for a while, moving her limbs feebly before finally

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

barely

raised her hand to shield them, lying silently in

or

hurting, and struggling

Nor would the cops. They lived

whether she’d live

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

voice she recognized. “Yasmine?!”

moved her

was faint, but the person heard

in until the light finally settled

rushed over, shocked by Yasmine’s battered state.

as she helped Yasmine to

really fall from the

slumped against her, “More

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

you to be

“Did you forget?

than me. If you fell from the

place you could end

managed a weak smile,

strength. The police and Bryson are looking for

nearby, hidden away. Let me take you

too heavy.”

“I can’t walk…”

handed her a flashlight. Then

her, “Climb on my

at Ava’s slender, fragile silhouette,

gratitude. Hot tears flowed down her rain-chilled

can’t carry me.”

grabbing Yasmine’s arm and draping

of flour up the mountain when I was five. I

lighter than a load

she steadied Yasmine

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

Ava settled Yasmine next to some

wounds on Yasmine’s body, Ava hesitated, not

pain. She tried to clean the

probably take off those

in those

glanced at her soiled attire and frowned

her

muttered while helping

You hide in the haystack for

to look

as helpless as a

let Ava strip

at your injuries. You

shake of her

you gotta be so tough? It’s

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

get the wrong idea.”

not painful,” Yasmine insisted.

thought for a moment and nodded. “I guess