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.

punctuated only by occasional flashes

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

more.

was only a moment before

with the same excruciating pain

organs aching.

a metallic taste

surroundings, revealing

base of the mountain. Exhausted and in pain,

her limbs feebly

she surveyed the area. The rain

barely

hand to shield them,

or use her hands

hurting,

up on her. Nor would the

The question was whether she’d live to

felt like an eternity, a light

voice she recognized. “Yasmine?!”

moved her

was faint, but the person heard

in until the light finally settled on

me, Ava!” Ava rushed over, shocked

was visibly shaken as she helped Yasmine to her feet.

fall from the

against her, “More like flew

wiped the mud from her face, “You’re

didn’t expect you to be the

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

me.

you could

a weak smile, “Truly

police and Bryson are

cave nearby, hidden away. Let me

too heavy.”

“I can’t walk…”

and handed her a flashlight. Then she

in front of her, “Climb on my

fragile silhouette, feeling a mix

tears flowed

can’t carry me.”

grabbing Yasmine’s arm and draping it over

sack of flour up the mountain when I was five.

my family. You’re lighter

she steadied Yasmine and slowly rose

wasn’t far, and behind its vine-covered

next to

on Yasmine’s

more pain. She tried to clean the mud without touching the

should probably take

in those wet

attire and frowned but

began helping her undress without

have asked you,” she muttered while helping Yasmine

me. You hide in the haystack

to look

a fish on a cutting

let Ava strip

Look at your injuries. You

gave a slight shake of her

be so tough?

it. You shouldn’t be like that, you

get the wrong idea.”

Yasmine insisted. “I just feel really

thought for a moment and nodded. “I guess that makes