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?”

patted his forehead speechlessly.

—

indeed stayed away

campus gossip. Seeing Yasmine walking to and from school alone only fueled the

it all, Serana, drew plenty of attention too. At first, she also stayed away from school. When she reappeared, she went

science building, Yasmine couldn’t

cafeteria showdown with Boyd.

can talk here,” Yasmine cut her off

expression remained neutral.

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 liked

to give you peace of mind. But that’s just one reason. I also wanted to move on from

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

And if you don’t trust me, at least

whole time. This was probably the

then gently touched the air with her book, motioning between them. 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 I have the

him. But 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 care of you, letting you harbor fantasies—that,

you’re telling me all this today really doesn’t mean a thing. Confessing your crush on Boyd and promising not to mess

“And why, pray tell, do you think I broke

her, but in front of Yasmine, no matter what she did, she always seemed to come up short, even feeling foolish for

through the book in her hand, smiling at her, “Isn’t

tinted Serana’s face, “Don’t you get it? By coming clean to you, I wanted you to know you can disregard my existence. What do I have to do for you to stop

her in

Serana’s face stiffened.

“Looks like you came

stood 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 expect me to patch things up with him just to keep him on your radar? Isn’t that a bit

as well have been gibberish. Her thoughts were stripped bare. Anything she said or did, in

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

was nothing she could do, tears welling up in her eyes

eyebrow. “Tears don’t get you far with

rolled book

suddenly grabbed her, her voice breaking

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

and persistence. She took a deep breath and yanked her hand away. “You 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

your feelings, and you threaten

his choice. You need to face reality. Aren’t you in a relationship? Or do you plan on being with him even after marrying

“I won’t get married.”

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

like family. It’s impossible for us to be together. Why do you insist on

turned back 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 was

thanks to your

a pause on the line,

I told you that dating you is just one disaster after another. I forced you to drive her away? Ha, come

laid down the gauntlet and hung

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

“Cancel it!”