The Enticing CEO’s Chosen Bride

But Boyd didn’t release her. “Is there no other way?” he asked.

“Right now, seeing you just annoys me. You’d better stay out of my sight for a while.”

Boyd’s frown deepened, his silence lingering. “How long is ‘a while’?”

“I’m not sure.” It could be days, or months. As time passed, he might realize there was no need to cling so tightly.

“Do you think that’s an answer?”

Yasmine chuckled. “To be honest, I’d be happy never to see you again. Can you accept that answer?”d2

He didn’t respond, his mouth a tight, sharp line.

Yasmine laughed softly at his expression. “Three months, then.”

Three more months until graduation. That answer seemed to weigh heavily on Boyd.

Three months, whether it was the symbolic end to their college life or just a simple cycle of 90 days, he couldn’t accept either. How many college days did one get in life, or sets of 90 days? Unless absolutely necessary, he didn’t want to waste a single day.

“You should know that as long as I know you exist in this world, as long as I can see you, touch you, I can’t keep my distance completely.”

Yasmine felt a vein throb in her temple. Were sweet words a natural instinct for men? To any other woman, those words would have been a downfall. The whole ‘to the ends of the earth’ or ‘faithful until the mountains crumble’ spiel was touching, sure. But pretty words had their place, and right now, she saw his persistence as nothing more than a nuisance.

“Boyd, don’t you think you’re being a bit presumptuous? You’re dissatisfied with whatever answer I give. How about you tell me what you want?”

After a long stare, Boyd finally said, “Yasmine, you know I can’t let you go. But you’re unhappy, you don’t want to see me, and I respect that. I hope it won’t be for too long. If you won’t make a statement, I won’t wait forever. I hope you can cool off over the next few days.”

Yasmine raised an eyebrow, seemingly in agreement, then glanced at her captured hand.

Boyd let go.

Derek, trailing behind Yasmine, had no idea whether her acquiescence was genuine. “Hey, you’re not just stringing him along to get rid of him, are you?”

“Why is breaking up so hard?”

Derek smirked. “Because he likes you. And honestly, with your temper, I doubt anyone but Boyd could put up with you.”

Yasmine shot him a look. “What’s wrong with my temper? Did I throw a fit or cause a scene?”

“That’s not what I’m saying. You should leave some room for negotiation. You’re so absolute. You don’t give others a choice.”

Yasmine scoffed. “By that logic, should a convicted murderer have the choice not to die?”

“There! You see?” Derek pointed excitedly at her. “You go straight for the death penalty. But Boyd’s not a murderer, is he?”

“Do people need to commit murder to get a death penalty?”

his forehead speechlessly. “Fine! Do as you

—

stayed away

public breakup in the cafeteria had become the latest campus gossip. Seeing Yasmine walking to and from school

of attention too. At first, she also stayed away from

entrance of the science building, Yasmine couldn’t help but

cafeteria showdown with Boyd.

here,” Yasmine cut her off

expression remained neutral. She was used

likes

also right that part of the reason I considered dating someone else was to give you peace of mind. But

to kill two birds with one stone, and you, being smart, surely understand that better than

me, at least trust him. Ask

watched her the whole time. This was probably the most Serana had ever

Her eyes seemed to search for the right words, but finding a simple response to Serana’s lengthy speech proved difficult. “I don’t care if you have a thousand reasons for dating now. Do you think

who says that means I have to trust him completely? Falling for him, I guess, isn’t his fault, but when he knows you’ve got a thing for him and still insists on taking

all this today really doesn’t mean a thing. Confessing your crush on Boyd and promising not to mess with our relationship? Accusing me of being unfair, heartless, and making a scene for

snort, “And why, pray tell, do

lip, furrowing her brow as she looked at her, but in front of Yasmine, no matter what she did,

book in her hand, smiling at

coming clean to you, I wanted you to know you can disregard my existence. What do I have to do for you to stop this drama

and leaning in to look her in the eyes, then smiled. “Did Boyd

Serana’s face stiffened.

Yasmine’s smirk grew colder. “Looks like you came here to take your

up straight, her smile tinged with sarcasm. “But did you pick the wrong target? He ignores you, and you come to me, what’s the use? Do you really

words. Everything she said to Yasmine might as well have been gibberish. Her thoughts were stripped bare. Anything she said or did, in front of Yasmine,

to speak but couldn’t utter a word. What was the point

she could do, tears welling up in her eyes

eyebrow. “Tears don’t get you far with

book on her shoulder and walked

grabbed her, her voice breaking

looking at her with tearful eyes. “What will it take for you to stop

are, all teary-eyed, begging me to let you stay by his side? Serana, are you out of your mind? If you want to be with him, talk to

that. He cares about your

laughed, “Whether it’s a threat or not, he has made his choice. You need to face reality. Aren’t you in a

“I won’t get married.”

At

behind, “Boyd and I are like family. It’s impossible for us

and slapped that madwoman hard. Pulling out her phone, she called Boyd for the first time in a week. The call connected quickly, “If you didn’t reach out soon, I

to your darling

on the line,

her mind. I told you that dating you is just one

laid down the

he left his office, his assistant looked puzzled, “Mr.

“Cancel it!”