The Enticing CEO’s Chosen Bride

The moment the branch snapped, Yasmine’s heart skipped a beat as if she

were plummeting down a cliffside. But in that brief instant, she felt an odd sense

of relief.

At last, she could shake off Boyd and Serana, those two thorns in her side. Now,

she could breathe easy, no longer needing to trouble her mind over their drama.

It had been quite the headache dealing with them both.

Boyd would be pleased. Serana, the apple of his eye, was safe and Yasmine,

the heartless one, wouldn’t be a sore sight for him anymore.

She wasn’t a fool though. She wouldn’t gamble with her life just to play

matchmaker for them. In this moment, she was determined to survive at all

Enter title…

costs.

Thankfully, it wasn’t a sheer cliff she was dealing with.

However, the fall from the tree to the mountain’s side was significant, and when

she landed, the impact sent a jolt through her body as if every organ had been

shattered. The pain was so intense, she couldn’t pinpoint where it hurt the

most.d2

As she slid down the mountain, the thick underbrush and brambles tore at her

clothes, now muddy and ripped. Instinctively, she reached for anything to steady

herself.

At first, her descent was too rapid, and each grasp at stability only led to more

sliding. After several attempts, she managed to slow down.

Finally, gripping a protruding rock, she steadied herself, but the rain had

loosened the stones, and before she could catch her breath, the rock split,

sending her sliding down once again.

Rain washed soil down the mountainside, forming streams of mud that

cascaded over her. Twigs snapped and pebbles pelted her from above. Thorns

scratched her face, and her clothes were a mess, revealing legs and arms

littered with cuts of all sizes.

Initially, she had the strength to struggle, to fight for her life, but as the cold rain

numbed her pain, her strength waned. Though her speed had lessened, even

grasping for a handhold became too much effort.

Yasmine sighed, a bitter laugh escaping her lips in the midst of the downpour.

The irony wasn’t lost on her. Risking her life to save the very person she

despised, it sounded like a heroic tale of self-sacrifice.

But when had she ever been the saintly type?

Yasmine mused ruefully. Well, if this was to be her end, at least she’d leave

behind a noble reputation.

Darkness enveloped her, punctuated only by occasional flashes of lightning.

And then, just when she felt her body hanging in mid-air, she plummeted once

more.

She braced for death’s embrace, but it was only a moment before she hit the

ground again, her body wracked with the same excruciating pain as before, her

organs aching.

This time, a metallic taste filled her mouth.

A bolt of lightning illuminated her surroundings, revealing she had landed on a

flat stretch of land—likely the base of the mountain. Exhausted and in pain, she

lay there for a while, moving her limbs feebly before finally settling down.

Using the lightning’s flash, she surveyed the area. The rain stung her face, and

she could barely open her eyes.

She raised her hand to shield them, lying silently in the downpour, wondering if

she’d ever walk or use her hands again.

She was drained, hurting, and struggling seemed futile.

Bryson wouldn’t give up on her. Nor would the cops. They lived by the rule: no

body, no case. The question was whether she’d live to see their rescue.

After what felt like an eternity, a light suddenly swept her way, followed by a

voice she recognized. “Yasmine?!”

She weakly moved her arm, “I’m here…”

Her voice was faint, but the person heard her. Yasmine could sense someone

closing in until the light finally settled on her.

“It’s me, Ava!” Ava rushed over, shocked by Yasmine’s battered state. The

young girl was visibly shaken as she helped Yasmine to her feet. “Oh my God,

did you really fall from the top?”

Yasmine slumped against her, “More like flew down.”

Ava wiped the mud from her face, “You’re one lucky lady.”

“I didn’t expect you to be the one to come.”

Ava brushed Yasmine’s hair back, “Did you forget? This mountain is my

stomping ground. No one knows it better than me. If you fell from the top, this is

the worst place you could end up.”

Yasmine managed a weak smile, “Truly the worst.”

“Stop talking. Save your strength. The police and Bryson are looking for you.

And hey, there’s a cave nearby, hidden away. Let me take you there. This rain is

too heavy.”

“I can’t walk…”

Ava helped Yasmine sit up and handed her a flashlight. Then she turned,

kneeling in front of her, “Climb on my back.”

Yasmine looked at Ava’s slender, fragile silhouette, feeling a mix of pain,

vulnerability, and gratitude. Hot tears flowed down her rain-chilled cheeks. “You

can’t carry me.”

Ava turned, grabbing Yasmine’s arm and draping it over her shoulder. “I could

carry a sack of flour up the mountain when I was five. I bundle all the firewood

for my family. You’re lighter than a load of logs.”

As she spoke, she steadied Yasmine and slowly rose to her feet.

The cave wasn’t far, and behind its vine-covered entrance lay a stockpile of

firewood. Ava settled Yasmine next to some dry straw.

Then, seeing the wounds on Yasmine’s body, Ava hesitated, not wanting to

cause more pain. She tried to clean the mud without touching the injuries,

eventually suggesting, “You should probably take off those clothes. You’d be

warmer naked than in those wet rags.”

Yasmine glanced at her soiled attire and frowned but shook her head. Ava,

however, began helping her undress without another word.

“I shouldn’t have asked you,” she muttered while helping Yasmine out of her

clothes. “I’ve got no fire in me. You hide in the haystack for a bit, and I’ll go

outside to look for them.”

Right now, Yasmine was as helpless as a fish on a cutting board, barely able to

do anything but let Ava strip her bare.

“Oh my God, Look at your injuries. You must hurt like hell.”

Yasmine gave a slight shake of her head, “Doesn’t hurt.”

Ava rolled her eyes. “Why you gotta be so tough? It’s clear as day you’re

hurting, yet you won’t admit it. You shouldn’t be like that, you know. People can

get the wrong idea.”

“It’s really not painful,” Yasmine insisted. “I just feel really cold.”

Ava thought for a moment and nodded. “I guess that makes sense. I remember