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 occasional flashes of

she felt her body hanging in mid-air,

more.

but it was only a moment

body wracked with the same excruciating pain

organs aching.

time, a metallic taste filled

illuminated her surroundings,

base of the mountain. Exhausted

a while, moving her limbs feebly before finally settling

the lightning’s flash, she surveyed the area. The rain

barely open

shield them, lying silently in the

walk or

was drained, hurting, and struggling seemed

her. Nor would the cops. They lived by the rule:

whether she’d live to

light suddenly swept her way, followed by

voice she recognized. “Yasmine?!”

weakly moved her

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

until the light finally settled on

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

visibly shaken as she helped Yasmine

fall

her,

her face, “You’re one lucky

to be the

hair back, “Did you forget? This mountain

ground. No one knows it better than me. If

worst place you

a weak smile, “Truly

The police

nearby, hidden away. Let me take

too heavy.”

“I can’t walk…”

and handed

her, “Climb on

Ava’s slender, fragile silhouette,

and gratitude. Hot tears flowed down her rain-chilled cheeks.

can’t carry me.”

and draping it over

mountain when I was five. I bundle

You’re lighter than

spoke, she steadied Yasmine and slowly

behind its

Ava settled Yasmine next to some dry

wounds on Yasmine’s

pain. She tried to clean the

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

naked than in those

and frowned but

began helping her undress without another

muttered while

me. You hide in

to look for

a fish on a cutting

let

God, Look at your injuries. You must

a slight shake of her head,

be so

shouldn’t

get the wrong idea.”

not painful,” Yasmine insisted.

for a moment and nodded. “I