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

just when she felt her body hanging in mid-air,

more.

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

again, her body wracked with the same

organs aching.

time, a metallic

illuminated her surroundings,

the base of the mountain. Exhausted and in

a while, moving her limbs feebly before finally

she surveyed the area. The rain

barely

raised her hand to shield them, lying

ever walk or use her hands

drained, hurting, and

wouldn’t give up on her. Nor would the cops. They lived by the

was whether she’d

eternity, a light suddenly swept her way,

voice she recognized. “Yasmine?!”

her arm, “I’m

faint, but the person heard

the light finally

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

girl was visibly shaken as she helped Yasmine

really fall

against her, “More like

the mud from her face, “You’re

to be the one

back, “Did you forget? This mountain is

No one knows it better than me.

worst place you

weak smile, “Truly the

your strength. The police and Bryson are

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

too heavy.”

“I can’t walk…”

and handed her

her, “Climb on my

at Ava’s slender, fragile silhouette, feeling

gratitude. Hot tears flowed down her

can’t carry me.”

and draping it over her

mountain when I

my family. You’re lighter than a load of

she steadied Yasmine and slowly rose to her

its vine-covered entrance lay a stockpile

settled Yasmine next

on Yasmine’s body,

She tried to clean the mud without touching

“You should probably take off those clothes.

naked than in those wet

her soiled attire and frowned but shook her head.

her undress without

have asked you,” she muttered while helping

me. You hide in the haystack

look

as a

but let Ava strip her

God, Look at your

slight shake of her

you gotta be so tough? It’s

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

get the wrong idea.”

Yasmine insisted. “I just feel

moment and nodded. “I guess that