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

—

indeed stayed away from

in the cafeteria had become the latest campus gossip. Seeing Yasmine walking to and

the woman at the center of it all, Serana, drew plenty of attention too. At

the science building, Yasmine couldn’t help but

with Boyd. Maybe we should sit down somewhere to

Yasmine cut her off without a second

paused, but her expression remained neutral. She was used to

you wouldn’t be with him. But Boyd likes you, not me. And there’s no need to accuse him of confusing old friendships with love. If he truly

the reason I considered dating someone else was to give you peace of mind. But that’s just one reason. I also wanted to move on from

to kill two birds with one stone, and you, being smart, surely understand that better than I do. So, there’s no need to exaggerate

won’t interfere with your relationship with Boyd. And if you don’t trust me, at least trust him. Ask yourself why you chose to be with him in

the whole time. This was probably the

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 I have the time to understand them

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

promising not to mess with our relationship? Accusing me

pray tell, do you think I broke up

brow as she looked at her, but in front of Yasmine, no matter what she did, she always seemed to come up

in her hand, smiling at her, “Isn’t

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

leaning in to look her in the

Serana’s face stiffened.

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

me, what’s the use? Do you really expect me to patch things up with him just to keep him

dismissed by Yasmine’s nonchalant 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, was

she tried to speak but couldn’t utter a word. What was the point of speaking anyway? Yasmine always

could do, tears welling up in her

an eyebrow. “Tears don’t get you far with

book on her shoulder

her, her voice

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

talk about not ruining our relationship, yet here you 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 him. What’s

that. He cares about your feelings, and you threaten him with

has made his choice. You need to face

“I won’t get married.”

Yasmine’s forehead. “Lunatic.” At her wits’ end, she turned and strode

for us to be together. Why do you insist on driving me away

hard. Pulling out her phone, she called Boyd for the first time

to your

pause on the line,

mind. I told you that dating you is just one disaster after another. I forced you to drive

the

assistant looked puzzled, “Mr. Boyd, the

“Cancel it!”