The Enticing CEO’s Chosen Bride

Boyd slid his fork back onto the table with a finality that made the nearby maid’s expression flicker with surprise. Those words were harsh, showing no consideration at all.

Holding her breath, Yasmine watched as Boyd silently set down his fork, gave a nod, and slowly rose from his seat.

“Go ahead and eat. Just remembered I need to call Herschel back.”

Yasmine sat with perfect posture, elegantly lifting a forkful of food to her mouth and chewing thoughtfully without so much as glancing up.

The maid watched Boyd leave, and she couldn’t help but call out softly. Boyd turned back, locking eyes with her. “Make sure she eats well.”

After finishing her meal, Yasmine rose and left the dining area, her demeanor as cool and detached as if her heart were made of stone.d2

To drive someone away with such cutting remarks and show no remorse—could she really be that heartless? It seemed this woman was indeed the sort to be aloof and indifferent.

Upstairs, Yasmine found a book, and, standing by the bedroom window, she began to read. Yet it took her an age to turn the page.

Two hours later, after reading, freshening up, and promptly at half-past eight, Yasmine lay in bed and picked up her book again.

This time, Boyd entered, a warm glass of milk in hand, and set it beside her with a low chuckle. “It’s a bit hot. Give it five minutes.”

Yasmine said nothing.

Boyd disappeared into the bathroom. Twenty minutes later, he emerged to find the milk glass empty and Yasmine still engrossed in her book.

Ten minutes passed, and Yasmine set the book down, ready to sleep. Boyd lay beside her, her back to him.

Sharing the same bed had been the case all these years, ever since he had brought her to the B Country.

Yasmine thought Boyd might just be the most shameless man she had ever met. Her legs were numb, unable to walk or run, and she was even powerless to resist when he shamelessly crawled into her bed each night. But with time, one could grow accustomed to anything—even shamelessness.

Night after night, year after year, his presence beside her had become a routine, to the point where his absence felt like something was missing. Even after her leaving B Country and him behind, he still managed to make his presence felt daily.

Boyd watched her back, his gaze falling on the hair scattered on the pillow. He remembered her short hair from years ago as if it were yesterday. Reaching out, he gently picked up a strand of her hair and twirled it between his fingers. “What do you want to do tomorrow?”

Yasmine’s eyes drifted open, settling on the empty glass vase on the windowsill. “I want to visit Little Sun and Little Moon.”

“Alright, I’ll take you.”

change of plan

let her hair fall

off. I won’t come in. Do you want to have lunch there?

won’t miss one

I’ll come after

returning to the vase before

morning, after breakfast, Boyd took Yasmine to Greenfield Village and left

didn’t respond

lively. The vast estate buzzed with activity, the presence of the toddlers infusing it with joy and

and their giggles could be heard. A rare smile finally graced Yasmine’s usually stoic

enter, Elizabeth paused, then ran over with tears brimming in her eyes.

aside, “That sounds

idea how much I’ve missed

aren’t

like a child despite her

sanitizing her hands, Yasmine approached the stroller to inspect the two beautiful infants. It was hard to imagine what kind of heartthrobs these little

she had felt for her

greeted Yasmine with a small smile.

not at all surprised by Yasmine’s presence, as if she was unaware of her mother being taken away

her mother’s absence the night before? “My daughter doesn’t even care about me. I guess I’ll have to rely on these two

Chloe chuckled helplessly.

more than you know. Life and death seem so fanciful when you’re with

death? Hadn’t she already faced that

stroller, caressing the babies’ cheeks to check their temperature before adjusting their

his eyes on Chloe ever since she appeared. She felt her heart melt and Herschelt down to pick him up, only to be stopped by

Yasmine frowned, “What happened?”

elbow on the dresser while getting up to feed them at night. It hurt at first, but

of deliberateness in Chloe’s words that grew more apparent the more she listened. “It’s because you haven’t felt real pain yet.

I

defy logic,

an impassive face, Yasmine took Little Moon into her arms and settled on the couch. “Your arm won’t be crippled, and your speech, it’s meaningless

and then Herschelt down to plant

might have made her stance too obvious today. After all, it