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

when she felt her

more.

for death’s embrace, but it was only a

the same excruciating pain as

organs aching.

time, a metallic taste

lightning illuminated her surroundings, revealing

stretch of land—likely the base of

moving her limbs feebly before finally settling

flash, she surveyed the area. The rain stung her

could barely open

them, lying silently in

or use her hands

drained, hurting,

on her. Nor would the

whether she’d

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

voice she recognized. “Yasmine?!”

moved her

the person heard her. Yasmine

until the light

Ava!” Ava rushed over, shocked by Yasmine’s battered

visibly shaken as she helped Yasmine to her feet. “Oh

you really fall from

her,

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

expect you to be the one to

back, “Did you forget? This

knows it better than me. If you fell

you could end

managed a weak smile, “Truly the

strength. The police

hey, there’s a cave nearby, hidden away. Let me take you there. This

too heavy.”

“I can’t walk…”

handed her a flashlight. Then she

her, “Climb on

at Ava’s slender, fragile

Hot tears flowed

can’t carry me.”

draping it over her shoulder.

up the mountain when I

You’re lighter than

spoke, she steadied Yasmine

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

next

wounds on Yasmine’s body, Ava

She tried to clean the mud without touching

probably take off those clothes.

naked than in

her soiled attire and

began helping her

you,” she muttered while helping Yasmine out

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

to look for

was as helpless as a fish on a cutting board,

anything but let Ava strip

your

shake

rolled her eyes. “Why you gotta be so

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 sense. I