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

then, just when she felt her body hanging in

more.

embrace, but it was

wracked with the same excruciating pain

organs aching.

a metallic taste filled

surroundings,

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

her limbs feebly before

surveyed the area.

barely

to shield them, lying silently in

or use her

hurting,

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

was whether she’d live to

a light suddenly swept her

voice she recognized. “Yasmine?!”

moved her arm,

voice was faint, but the person heard her. Yasmine

until the light finally settled on

rushed over, shocked

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

fall

slumped against her, “More like flew

the mud from her face, “You’re

didn’t expect you to be the one

hair back, “Did you forget? This

one knows it better than me. If you fell from the top,

you

weak smile, “Truly the

police and Bryson are looking

hidden away. Let me take you

too heavy.”

“I can’t walk…”

up and handed her a

of her,

at Ava’s slender, fragile

tears flowed down her rain-chilled cheeks.

can’t carry me.”

draping it

flour up the mountain when

lighter than a load of

spoke, she steadied Yasmine

far, and behind its vine-covered entrance lay

next to some

Yasmine’s body, Ava hesitated, not wanting

more pain. She tried to clean the mud without

suggesting, “You should probably take off those clothes. You’d

than in

and frowned but shook her head.

began helping her undress

asked you,” she muttered while helping Yasmine out

no fire in me. You hide

look for

a fish on a cutting board, barely able

anything but let Ava strip

your injuries. You

slight shake of

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

it. You shouldn’t

get the wrong idea.”

painful,” Yasmine insisted.

nodded. “I guess that makes sense.