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.

sight of the person hammering on the door only added to her

could guess who was at the door

furrowed his brow, strode over, and violently swung

—

be unaware of

a clear sky turned ominously overcast, thick clouds rolling in as the wind whipped his navy-blue shirt around him. His handsome

appearance, matched

knew, perhaps from being around Yasmine so long, that there was an unspoken rule – they didn’t have the right to be angry. Derek had always been an affable, easygoing guy, much more reasonable than Yasmine when it

pain had pierced straight

the clarity of the images on

her to have any connection with

style, the grandeur, her in

said she wanted to have a real life with him? Why then

seeing Derek, he felt the last sliver of hope within him shatter completely. All the things he hadn’t wanted to face

marrying Nick out of revenge, but Boyd was definitely a big part of her

guy, someone Yasmine had chosen – how bad could

trust and approval had turned to

to give

tightly, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he spoke with effort. “I

tightened even further, a mix of anger

he remained firmly planted at the door. “I need to see her. Derek,

suddenly crumpled a portrait of him. The next second, his fist flew. The punch was merciless, with

force, nearly losing his balance

mass of frustration in

You? After everything, Boyd, what right do you have to speak?” Derek spat

the receiving end of

himself up from the ground. Wiping the blood from his

Boyd’s pathetic state. Who was he trying to impress with