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.

her, punctuated only by

when she felt her

more.

was only a moment before she

her body wracked with the same excruciating pain as before,

organs aching.

a metallic taste

surroundings,

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

while, moving her limbs feebly before finally settling

she surveyed the area. The

barely open

raised her hand to shield them, lying silently

ever walk or use her hands

was drained, hurting, and

would the

case. The question was whether she’d live to see

eternity, a light suddenly swept her way,

voice she recognized. “Yasmine?!”

her arm,

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

the light

Ava rushed over, shocked by Yasmine’s battered state.

was visibly shaken as she helped Yasmine to her feet.

fall from

against her, “More

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

to

hair back, “Did you forget?

knows it better than me. If you fell from

place you could end

a weak

your strength. The police and Bryson are looking

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

too heavy.”

“I can’t walk…”

and handed her a flashlight. Then

of her, “Climb on

slender, fragile silhouette,

flowed down her

can’t carry me.”

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

a sack of flour up the mountain when I

You’re lighter

she spoke, she steadied Yasmine and slowly rose to

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

Ava settled Yasmine next

on Yasmine’s body, Ava hesitated, not wanting

clean the

probably take off

than in those

soiled attire and

her undress without another

muttered while helping Yasmine

got no fire in me. You hide in the haystack for a bit, and I’ll

to look for

now, Yasmine was as helpless as a

but let

my God, Look at your injuries. You must hurt

gave a slight shake of her

rolled her eyes. “Why you gotta be so tough? It’s clear

you won’t admit it. You shouldn’t be

get the wrong idea.”

insisted.

a moment and nodded. “I guess that makes