The Enticing CEO’s Chosen Bride

“Boyd left this morning. He went back to B Country with Herschel.”

Yasmine’s embrace around her grandchild tightened for a moment.

Chloe’s brows knit together slightly, “Are you sure you won’t regret it?”

Elizabeth, who had been lounging on the sofa, slowly stood up, a look of concern etched on her face as she watched Yasmine.

Yasmine’s eyes glinted briefly. She masked every emotion on her face and said calmly, “There’s nothing to regret. What would regret change anyway? Am I supposed to end up like him, a total nutcase?”

Chloe pressed her lips together, “I just hope you truly believe in what you’re saying. By hurting Boyd, you’re hurting yourself just as much, if not worse.”d2

Yasmine offered a wry smile, “When you put it that way, I suppose you’re right.”

Yasmine was so stubborn. Chloe decided not to push further and bent down to pluck a thread from the stroller’s fabric.

Elizabeth looked from Yasmine to Chloe, puzzled. Neither seemed inclined to continue the conversation. Elizabeth suddenly missed her husband.

In the days that followed, Yasmine stayed in Greenfield Village, acting like any other day. She ate normally, slept normally, played with the babies, and seemed to laugh more each day as the babies grew and responded to her. She didn’t seem like someone harboring a heavy secret.

At first, Chloe was concerned, but she eventually came to terms with it. Perhaps Yasmine’s desire to rid herself of Boyd was her most earnest wish in life. If separation made her truly happy, Chloe was content to see her at peace.

However, Chloe couldn’t shake off a niggling feeling about Boyd’s abrupt departure, leaving behind no trace of a father’s responsibility.

—

Three months later.

The living room was carpeted with soft rugs and topped with sponge mats for safety, and the sharp edges of tables and cabinets were all securely padded. This was all because Little Sun and Little Moon, the two bundles of joy, were now wobblingly sitting up and even crawling a bit.

The crib was no longer their small world. Toys littered the floor, and the two energetic tots were particularly lively.

Elizabeth and Yasmine had to be more vigilant than ever.

The presence of the babies was like the village’s very own happy pill, filling each day with laughter. Elizabeth and Yasmine were no exception.

Still Chloe noticed Yasmine’s temper getting worse by the day, her irritation more apparent except when she was with the babies. It was like walking on eggshells around her, never knowing what might set her off. Chloe, unsure of the cause and fearful of setting off the ticking bomb, tentatively chalked it up to a midlife crisis.

The babies rarely needed Chloe’s care. Sometimes, she got involved with some business affairs and kept an eye on news from B Country.

Herschel, being a president, wasn’t on TV that frequently, but his policies and economic movements were often in the news, and occasionally there was coverage of his regional visits.

Getting updates on Boyd was almost impossible. However, today there was an exclusive accompanying interview with Herschel, mainly focused on capturing a day in Herschel’s everyday life.

Yasmine and Elizabeth took the little ones out for a play, leaving Chloe to watch the news in the living room, curious if this ‘day in the life’ would offer a glimpse of the estranged father.

The President’s day started at eight in the morning with state affairs, followed by high-level briefings and his secretary at his side, helping to sort and summarize.

At ten, there was a personal inspection of a development area. Lunch at twelve with local government officials. Returned to the presidential residence at two, surveying en route. By two-thirty, he was on international calls with other country leaders. At three-thirty, during a rare break, he hit the gym.

Chloe found it dull. That was when she heard Elizabeth and Yasmine’s voices at the door, and she got up to go outside.

The little babies were always happiest playing outside and were reluctant to come in. She stepped out to adjust their hats and casually asked, “What would you like for lunch? I can have the maid prepare something.”

Elizabeth said she’d go to the kitchen herself later.

Yasmine, never one for cooking even in her younger days, held her precious grandchild but didn’t look too keen. “I’m not hungry. Whatever’s made is fine.”

Elizabeth and Chloe exchanged glances. Yasmine wasn’t like this before. She never settled for less, so why such an indifferent reply now?

Still, Chloe went ahead and ordered two of her favorite dishes.

As they returned to the house, the TV still flickered in the living room. On the screen was Herschel working out in the gym. At first, they paid it little mind. Women didn’t typically care for such things, especially with their attention fully on the kids. But then, the former President of B Country, Boyd, was mentioned.

The women, not long inside, turned their eyes to the TV simultaneously. There, Boyd was on a treadmill, looking exceptionally well. It was a world of difference compared to how he had looked three months earlier.

Elizabeth glanced at Chloe, who in turn looked at Yasmine. Elizabeth followed Chloe’s gaze to Yasmine.

With all eyes on her, Yasmine shifted her gaze away from the TV, set Little Moon down on the mat, where the baby fiddled with a rubber toy, unsure of how to play with it.

Elizabeth placed Little Sun beside Little Moon, and everyone settled back into the rhythm of daily life, the TV murmuring in the background.

sprawling out on the cushions. It was a sight that usually brought laughter

zoomed in on him. Yasmine stood up, an icy look crossing her face as she

hungry for lunch,” Yasmine

frowned slightly, about to say something when Yasmine headed upstairs. “I made plans for lunch with someone. Don’t

said we could whip up something simple

all my appointments to you? Am I

driver.” Yasmine was a force to

in the cold winter. She was decked out in a corduroy, plum-colored dress with intricate embroidery—a creation by Elizabeth herself, intended for New Year’s celebrations. Yasmine had,

you meeting that you dressed up so fancy?” Elizabeth inquired cautiously. The dress looked

invitations. It wouldn’t be right to

of rejections, why did she

her own happiness, and today’s words

eyebrow. Yasmine had been unpredictably moody these past few days, and her actions were even more

on the TV, the one Yasmine had asked

a sharp look

what Chloe was about to say, Yasmine shot her a warning glance and left the house, her driver holding the car

room where Little Sun and Little Moon were each clutching a small pillow, playing

looked at her, “Do you think your mom is seeing a new man? But she doesn’t even like Mr. Fletcher. She’s been refusing him for months, and now she suddenly agrees to a

in confusion, “She’s not really considering a

Chloe remained silent.

with another

Chloe didn’t respond.

head to the other side, “But, you know, fate is unpredictable. What if there’s really

Chloe still said nothing.

call from the driver, giving her the details of the restaurant where Yasmine was dining with Mr. Fletcher. Chloe thought it was commendable

Chloe got a call

Damon’s grudging nickname for the babies,

you have in mind

to the

brow furrowed, “Don’t you have a craving for

hint of mock grievance, though a smile

phone, “Wait for me, I’ll bring you something to

“Are you willing to part with

be fine.

your debt, Mrs.

I can’t

Chloe’s words froze the smile on his face.

lunch with Mr. Fletcher, and it’s just Elizabeth at

voice stiffened, clearly

approached her. “Go on, it’s fine. We have plenty of help at home. You’d just be out for an afternoon, so he wouldn’t have the chance to excessively show affection in

and internal debate, Chloe made her decision. “Alright then, thank you

no trouble

breathed a

bomb on legs. After hanging up the phone with Chloe, Damon squinted in deep thought before he reached for

indeed, and one he couldn’t afford to let off in his own backyard.Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join

—

of three months, she

well. He had always been observant; she didn’t eat much, and the dishes she had liked before were merely revisited once or twice. Today’s choices showed he remembered her

looks and charm—a real catch by any standard. Even at middle age, with his looks, charisma, and financial clout, it wouldn’t be hard for him to charm women in their twenties with a mere wave of his hand. But he didn’t seem the type to chase after young girls. No, Mr. Fletcher was

he said with a soft

of her

admit, I was surprised you

her cup, Yasmine met the gaze of the man across from her, “I

Mr. Fletcher

I please, often without much

nodded, taking a sip from his cup. “Can I

raised an eyebrow, “You could say

is

“Right.”

poured her a fresh cup of hot tea. “Don’t feel burdened. The fact that you thought of using me

brow twitched,

I admit I’m fond of you, but it’s just that—a fondness. We’ve both lived over forty years, and we know what we feel. I don’t really buy into the whole ‘love at first sight’ fantasy. I’m not looking for a romance, but a companion to comfortably spend the latter part of life with, to look after each

tinged with resignation, “You haven’t given me a chance to truly get

his disbelief in love at first sight, the absence of romantic intentions, and his superficial fondness—all seemed to hit right where it hurt for most women. But Yasmine felt a weight lift off her chest, and any