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

just when she felt her

more.

for death’s embrace, but it was

body wracked with the

organs aching.

time, a metallic taste filled her

illuminated her surroundings, revealing she

of land—likely the base of the mountain.

a while, moving her limbs feebly

she surveyed the area. The rain stung her

could barely open

them, lying silently in the

walk or use her hands

was drained, hurting, and

would the cops. They lived by

whether she’d live to see their

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

voice she recognized. “Yasmine?!”

weakly moved her arm,

voice was faint, but the person heard her. Yasmine could

the light

Ava!” Ava rushed over,

helped Yasmine to her feet. “Oh

fall from

her, “More like

from her face, “You’re one

didn’t expect you to be

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

than me. If you fell from the top,

you

managed a weak smile,

The police and

cave nearby, hidden away. Let me take

too heavy.”

“I can’t walk…”

helped Yasmine sit up and handed her

in front of her,

slender, fragile

Hot tears flowed down her

can’t carry me.”

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

up the mountain when I was five. I bundle all the

You’re lighter

steadied Yasmine and slowly rose to

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

next to some dry

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

tried to clean the

suggesting, “You should probably take

than in

soiled attire and

her undress without another

you,” she muttered while helping Yasmine out of

got no fire in me. You hide in the haystack

look

Yasmine was as helpless as a fish on

but let Ava strip her

at your

slight shake of

rolled her eyes. “Why 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.

a moment and nodded. “I guess