The Enticing CEO’s Chosen Bride

“Yasmine!” Derek’s usual easygoing demeanor was nowhere to be seen, his face set in a stern mask from the get-go. “You don’t have to suffer in silence with all of us here to support you. Acting all nonchalant, like you’re above it all – who are you trying to impress? Can Boyd even see you? Every word you spit out is like a knife, Yasmine. You’re all talk, trying to wound others with words that probably don’t even scratch the surface. But who’s really in pain here? You…”

“Are you suggesting that I’m ruining my own life just to get back at Boyd? Was I not clear enough, or are you having trouble understanding?”

“What else could it be?” Derek shot back immediately. “Why else would you rush into marriage with a man you’ve barely met? Are you after the Summers family fortune? Come on, Yasmine, don’t you find that laughable? You want success, you have Peck Innovations and your own assets. What can a dying Summers empire offer you? Is this convincing to you? Have you forgotten who you are?”

Yasmine’s expression turned icy. “That reason isn’t convincing enough? Fine, I’ll give you another. To completely rid myself of Boyd, and to take revenge on him, that’s why I chose to marry Nick now. Yes, I’m hypocritical. I say I don’t care, but deep down, I do. It bothers me so much that I’m willing to use my life as a weapon against him. Now you have two reasons. That’s what you wanted to hear, isn’t it? Happy now?”

Derek frowned deeply at her. “You never cease to amaze me with your reasoning.”

Yasmine forced a smile. “Right, I don’t even recognize myself anymore. When did I become such a fool, such a madwoman in my own eyes?”d2

“What do we mean to you? Couldn’t you discuss your problems with us instead of going it alone?”

“No one can share my burden. Everyone knows the grand principles of life, but how miraculous are these principles, really? Have they ever healed anyone’s pain?”

Had they? No. If everyone understood, then nobody in this world would feel pain.

“I’m doing my best to live life my way. There’s nothing wrong with that, Derek. At least I still want to live. To throw myself away over these things, to give up – that’s beneath me. I won’t stoop that low.”

Derek bit his lip hard, looking at her. “So you’re full of convincing reasons. But let me tell you, Yasmine, you’re nothing but a con artist. Fooling everyone, even yourself.”

Yasmine’s eyes flickered, and after a long silence, she turned and walked into her room.

—

Inside the room, Yasmine stared at the marriage certificate on the bed, expressionless.

So, she had married herself off. Just like that. Great.

Suddenly, a pounding on the apartment door broke the silence. The persistent, almost deafening knocking was nothing short of terrifying.

Aliza felt her heart might leap out of her chest from the sound.

of the person hammering on the door only added to

was at the door without

helpless look, furrowed his brow, strode over, and

—

unaware of the day’s

his navy-blue shirt around

appearance,

Yasmine so long, that there was an unspoken rule – they didn’t have the right to

felt as though a sharp pain had pierced straight through his already tight grip on his

it. Despite the clarity of the images on the news, he had remained in

for her to

marrying someone else. He had imagined her wedding countless times – the location, the style, the grandeur,

said she wanted to have a real life with him? Why then turn around and choose

last sliver of hope within him shatter completely. All the things he hadn’t wanted

just told him. She denied marrying Nick out of revenge, but Boyd was definitely a big part of her decision. She wouldn’t admit it, but Derek believed that Boyd was the main

used to think Boyd was a decent guy, someone Yasmine

trust and approval had turned

you doing here? Come to give a wedding gift in

swayed slightly, his hand gripping the door frame tightly, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he spoke with effort. “I

face tightened even further, a mix of anger and scorn

but he remained firmly planted at the door. “I need to see her. Derek, she can’t marry

of him. The next second, his fist flew. The punch was

nearly losing his balance before

in his chest. He advanced

everything, Boyd, what right do

mouth. Despite being on the receiving end of the blows, he exuded a defeated yet unyielding

slowly picked himself up from the ground. Wiping the blood from his lips, his voice was gravelly and strained. “I need to

Derek’s disgust only grew seeing Boyd’s pathetic state. Who was he trying to impress with that