The Enticing CEO’s Chosen Bride novel Chapter 1906

But Boyd didn't release her. "Is there no other way?" he asked.

"Right now, seeing you just annoys me. You'd better stay out of my sight for a while."

Boyd's frown deepened, his silence lingering. "How long is 'a while'?"

"I'm not sure." It could be days, or months. As time passed, he might realize there was no need to cling so tightly.

"Do you think that's an answer?"

Yasmine chuckled. "To be honest, I'd be happy never to see you again. Can you accept that answer?"d2

He didn't respond, his mouth a tight, sharp line.

Yasmine laughed softly at his expression. "Three months, then."

Three more months until graduation. That answer seemed to weigh heavily on Boyd.

Three months, whether it was the symbolic end to their college life or just a simple cycle of 90 days, he couldn't accept either. How many college days did one get in life, or sets of 90 days? Unless absolutely necessary, he didn't want to waste a single day.

"You should know that as long as I know you exist in this world, as long as I can see you, touch you, I can't keep my distance completely."

Yasmine felt a vein throb in her temple. Were sweet words a natural instinct for men? To any other woman, those words would have been a downfall. The whole 'to the ends of the earth' or 'faithful until the mountains crumble' spiel was touching, sure. But pretty words had their place, and right now, she saw his persistence as nothing more than a nuisance.

"Boyd, don't you think you're being a bit presumptuous? You're dissatisfied with whatever answer I give. How about you tell me what you want?"

After a long stare, Boyd finally said, "Yasmine, you know I can't let you go. But you're unhappy, you don't want to see me, and I respect that. I hope it won't be for too long. If you won't make a statement, I won't wait forever. I hope you can cool off over the next few days."

Yasmine raised an eyebrow, seemingly in agreement, then glanced at her captured hand.

Boyd let go.

Derek, trailing behind Yasmine, had no idea whether her acquiescence was genuine. "Hey, you're not just stringing him along to get rid of him, are you?"

"Why is breaking up so hard?"

Derek smirked. "Because he likes you. And honestly, with your temper, I doubt anyone but Boyd could put up with you."

Yasmine shot him a look. "What's wrong with my temper? Did I throw a fit or cause a scene?"

"That's not what I'm saying. You should leave some room for negotiation. You're so absolute. You don't give others a choice."

Yasmine scoffed. "By that logic, should a convicted murderer have the choice not to die?"

"There! You see?" Derek pointed excitedly at her. "You go straight for the death penalty. But Boyd's not a murderer, is he?"

"Do people need to commit murder to get a death penalty?"

Derek patted his forehead speechlessly. "Fine! Do as you please."

--

Boyd indeed stayed away from school.

Their public breakup in the cafeteria had become the latest campus gossip. Seeing Yasmine walking to and from school alone only fueled the rumors.

And the woman at the center of it all, Serana, drew plenty of attention too. At first, she also stayed away from school. When she reappeared, she went directly to Yasmine.

Stopped by Serana at the entrance of the science building, Yasmine couldn't help but laugh. "Got something to say?"

Serana nodded. "Yes. I heard about your cafeteria showdown with Boyd. Maybe we should sit down somewhere to talk."

"We can talk here," Yasmine cut her off without a second thought.

Serana paused, but her expression remained neutral. She was used to Yasmine's demeanor.

She continued, "I understand why my presence bothers you. You're not wrong to think I have feelings for Boyd. He's always looked out for me, and if he weren't exceptional, you wouldn't be with him. But Boyd likes you, not me. And there's no need to accuse him of confusing old friendships with love. If he truly liked me, I'd be happy, but if that were the case, we would've been together a long time ago.

“You're also right that part of the reason I considered dating someone else was to give you peace of mind. But that's just one reason. I also wanted to move on from my own feelings.

“Everyone likes to kill two birds with one stone, and you, being smart, surely understand that better than I do. So, there's no need to exaggerate my motives.

“I won't interfere with your relationship with Boyd. And if you don't trust me, at least trust him. Ask yourself why you chose to be with him in the first place."

Yasmine watched her the whole time. This was probably the most Serana had ever said to her.

She waited until Serana finished, then gently touched the air with her book, motioning between them. Her eyes seemed to search for the right words, but finding a simple response to Serana's lengthy speech proved difficult. "I don't care if you have a thousand reasons for dating now. Do you think I have the time to understand them all? The fact that you have feelings for him is enough for me.

“And as for Boyd, yes, I chose him. But who says that means I have to trust him completely? Falling for him, I guess, isn't his fault, but when he knows you've got a thing for him and still insists on taking care of you, letting you harbor fantasies—that, I'm sorry to say, is prime "jerk" behavior in my book.

“The fact you're telling me all this today really doesn't mean a thing. Confessing your crush on Boyd and promising not to mess with our relationship? Accusing me of being unfair, heartless, and making a scene for no reason?”

She let out a derisive snort, "And why, pray tell, do you think I broke up with Boyd?"

Serana bit her lip, furrowing her brow as she looked at her, but in front of Yasmine, no matter what she did, she always seemed to come up short, even feeling foolish for showing anger.

Yasmine flipped through the book in her hand, smiling at her, "Isn't it all because of this?"

Finally, anger tinted Serana's face, "Don't you get it? By coming clean to you, I wanted you to know you can disregard my existence. What do I have to do for you to stop this drama with Boyd?"

"Cancel it!"

When Boyd arrived at the school, he saw Serana sitting pale-faced on a bench beneath the lab building. As he approached, tears spilled down her wan face. "Boyd..."

"What did you say to her?"

Serana choked up, "I asked her to make up with you. I promised her there was nothing between us. I wanted her not to mind my presence, but she wouldn't listen to anything I said."

Boyd began to understand why Yasmine was so furious with him. With her temperament, how could she possibly tolerate interference in her affairs, especially by Serana in such a manner.

He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, "Serana."

As if anticipating his words, Serana suddenly covered her ears, "No, I don't want to hear it. I know we won't be together, and I'm not asking for anything. But Boyd, since I was seven and entered the orphanage, you've been with me, looking after me. All these years, it's always been this way. You can't drive me away. We're family, aren't we? Being family is enough. Can you tell Yasmine, can she please not target me?"

"Calm down." Boyd's gaze was stern with warning.

Serana clutched her chest, bit her lip hard, took a few deep breaths, and slowly stood up, wiping the tears from her face before forcing a smile, "I know you won't abandon me. I understand it's hard for you, but I won't make it difficult. I think I upset her just now. You better go find her."

Boyd watched her for a long moment before finally saying, "I'll take you home."

Serana shook her head, "You should be with her right now, or she'll be upset again. I'm really okay..." As she spoke, she managed another pale smile.

Boyd grabbed her, his voice tense but still trying to be gentle, "I'm taking you home. Be good."

Serana's tears fell again. "Boyd, can't you just stop doing this to me."

Boyd pursed his lips, "We are leaving now."

Serana wiped away her tears, but still followed Boyd as he walked away. They crossed the entire campus together; with many onlookers, it was inevitable that a wave of gossip would ripple through the crowds.

The commotion that Serana and Yasmine had stirred up under the science building, and now Boyd taking Serana away, seemed only to confirm the rumors that had been swirling about Boyd breaking up with Yasmine over Serana.

The whispers eventually reached Yasmine, morphing into a story that Boyd, in the end, had chosen his childhood sweetheart over her. She just snorted at the news. If anything, it suited her just fine.

But that very night, Boyd was back, pestering her.

They couldn’t quite break up, but staying together was equally impossible. Because of the spectacle Serana had caused, confronting her halfway, Yasmine had given Boyd fewer chances to speak up. It was a messy tug of war that lasted over a month.

Graduation was looming. The school was bustling with corporate recruiters coming to campus to hire fresh graduates.

While most seniors were busy networking and interviewing, they witnessed a rare spectacle. The news spread like wildfire, and when it reached Yasmine’s ears, even she was momentarily stunned.

“Hey, did you hear? Boyd just slapped Serana across the face.”