The Enticing CEO’s Chosen Bride

Serana’s stiff expression eased ever so slightly at his words, but her face remained ghostly pale.

She subconsciously glanced around, as if afraid that Johnson might suddenly appear from somewhere.

It had been just like that back at the orphanage. He had taken her away when she was completely unprepared, snatching her from the safety of her mundane life.

The memory of facing Johnson alone was etched into her mind, a stark terror she could never shake. He was like a madman, completely disregarding the fact that she was still a child back then, subjecting her to merciless punches and kicks. He genuinely wanted her dead.

If she hadn’t scrambled up into the safety of an old oak tree, and if help hadn’t arrived just in time, she’d be six feet under instead of here. What if he still wanted revenge?

Her hands twisted together nervously, unsure, “I think that maybe I should go back to my room.”d2

The assistant nodded in agreement and followed her upstairs.

Mr. Boyd had been swamped all afternoon, missing lunch and ordering a double portion of takeout instead. A backlog of work kept him at his desk until seven in the evening.

If it hadn’t been for Serana’s call, asking if he had left the office yet, he might have worked through the night. After a brief conversation, he hung up and stared at his phone screen, thumb hovering over Yasmine’s contact.

He thought about how seldom she reached out to him first. Especially when they were at odds, she never initiated contact. The only exception had been earlier that day at the hospital.

With a heavy sigh, he rubbed his temples, set down his phone, and leaned back in his executive chair.

She never backed down. Whatever she said went, and she’d make decisions without giving anyone a chance to question them.

The office was eerily quiet as he rested for a moment, eyes closed. Then, he sat up, took a deep breath, and sent Yasmine a text. He needed to see if her mood had improved.

Yasmine was reclining on the bed, a laptop resting on her lap as she watched a movie. Her phone rang, and she turned her head to glance at the illuminated screen. It was a message from Boyd, and she nonchalantly returned her gaze to the computer screen.

It wasn’t until the credits rolled that she finally picked up the phone and read his text.

—[Are you asleep? What did you have for dinner? I skipped mine.]

With a roll of her eyes, Yasmine deleted the message and shoved the phone under her pillow. “Jerk.”

Unsurprised by Yasmine’s silence, Boyd wrapped up his work and left the office around nine. Since his assistant had stayed with Serana, he didn’t visit the hospital the next day. A cocktail of disappointment and understanding flowed through Serana. She knew all too well how preoccupied Boyd could get. Her phone was fully charged, prepared for the day. After a morning filled with hesitance and anxiety, she finally gathered the courage to dial Yasmine’s number in the afternoon. The calls went unanswered.

Yasmine hung up without a word. To act out such a drama at the hospital and then have the audacity to call her? The nerve.

The phone didn’t ring again, and Yasmine thought maybe Serana had given up. However, a message came through instead.

[Yasmine, I think there’s been a misunderstanding about Boyd at the hospital. I can’t leave here right now, but I want to talk to you. About why Boyd has looked after me all these years, and about the child.

for Boyd’s sake—he loves you so much—could you maybe set your pride aside? Even if you’re breaking up, it’s better to understand everything first, right? You could ask

torn between curiosity

girl. Her message

would reveal, but she didn’t make her way to

her surprise upon seeing

“Ms. Yasmine.”

outside Serana’s room, their eyes

misunderstand, Ms. Yasmine. It’s just that there are

Yasmine teased, twirling a stem of lilies in her hand. “Don’t beat around the bush.

cut deep. Everyone knew Boyd’s affections, yet she always managed

“Ms. Yasmine, please.”

with a nonchalant smile

remained seated like a host awaiting a guest. “You came?”

usual air of aloofness. “Spit it out. What’s so important that you

know why Boyd slap me

stayed silent, waiting for the story

about my pregnancy. Honestly, if it was

don’t need to remind me between the lines how special you are to

her head, “Because I have

narrowed in an

tell you, but I stopped him on purpose. From your reaction, I bet you had no clue I’m actually a heart patient, huh? I’ve always wanted to keep it under wraps, so I also asked Boyd not to

Their words and actions were filled with caution. Most were afraid of trouble, worried that my sudden illness might impact them or I might suddenly die and they would be

been with me since I was

held a touch of

parents died in a car crash, it was because of my illness. That man tried to kidnap me from the orphanage, also because of

watched her, her

was only at a stage one or two back then, but being young and playful with a frail body, I had my episodes. Looking back, I realize my parents really loved me. They probably wanted me to

I wasn’t the only one in need of that heart. Before me, there was an older kid in line, waiting for that life-saving transplant. His family had struggled for years with his condition, and they weren’t well off. My

of that family, and snatched the heart for me. It was in P City, and to save time, they rushed there with

have an accident on the way. The heart expired before the surgery, and I missed my chance. The kid didn’t last two years after that. And that man, who

all these years, you

the company afloat. He didn’t

the deal? Is he planning to follow in your parents’ footsteps, snatching a heart from someone

but since you started holding a

abruptly standing up from her chair, looking down at Serana with a frosty disdain. “Let me guess, you’ve got a lead on a donor, so you got

Serana didn’t deny it.

Yasmine truly thought Serana was insane. To cling to a man with no ties, no promises, she was willing to

childhood and a life without