The Enticing CEO’s Chosen Bride novel Chapter 1909

Serana's stiff expression eased ever so slightly at his words, but her face remained ghostly pale.

She subconsciously glanced around, as if afraid that Johnson might suddenly appear from somewhere.

It had been just like that back at the orphanage. He had taken her away when she was completely unprepared, snatching her from the safety of her mundane life.

The memory of facing Johnson alone was etched into her mind, a stark terror she could never shake. He was like a madman, completely disregarding the fact that she was still a child back then, subjecting her to merciless punches and kicks. He genuinely wanted her dead.

If she hadn't scrambled up into the safety of an old oak tree, and if help hadn't arrived just in time, she'd be six feet under instead of here. What if he still wanted revenge?

Her hands twisted together nervously, unsure, "I think that maybe I should go back to my room."d2

The assistant nodded in agreement and followed her upstairs.

Mr. Boyd had been swamped all afternoon, missing lunch and ordering a double portion of takeout instead. A backlog of work kept him at his desk until seven in the evening.

If it hadn't been for Serana's call, asking if he had left the office yet, he might have worked through the night. After a brief conversation, he hung up and stared at his phone screen, thumb hovering over Yasmine's contact.

He thought about how seldom she reached out to him first. Especially when they were at odds, she never initiated contact. The only exception had been earlier that day at the hospital.

With a heavy sigh, he rubbed his temples, set down his phone, and leaned back in his executive chair.

She never backed down. Whatever she said went, and she'd make decisions without giving anyone a chance to question them.

The office was eerily quiet as he rested for a moment, eyes closed. Then, he sat up, took a deep breath, and sent Yasmine a text. He needed to see if her mood had improved.

Yasmine was reclining on the bed, a laptop resting on her lap as she watched a movie. Her phone rang, and she turned her head to glance at the illuminated screen. It was a message from Boyd, and she nonchalantly returned her gaze to the computer screen.

It wasn't until the credits rolled that she finally picked up the phone and read his text.

—[Are you asleep? What did you have for dinner? I skipped mine.]

With a roll of her eyes, Yasmine deleted the message and shoved the phone under her pillow. "Jerk."

Unsurprised by Yasmine's silence, Boyd wrapped up his work and left the office around nine. Since his assistant had stayed with Serana, he didn't visit the hospital the next day. A cocktail of disappointment and understanding flowed through Serana. She knew all too well how preoccupied Boyd could get. Her phone was fully charged, prepared for the day. After a morning filled with hesitance and anxiety, she finally gathered the courage to dial Yasmine's number in the afternoon. The calls went unanswered.

Yasmine hung up without a word. To act out such a drama at the hospital and then have the audacity to call her? The nerve.

The phone didn't ring again, and Yasmine thought maybe Serana had given up. However, a message came through instead.

[Yasmine, I think there's been a misunderstanding about Boyd at the hospital. I can't leave here right now, but I want to talk to you. About why Boyd has looked after me all these years, and about the child.

I know you're proud and probably disdainful of these matters, but for Boyd's sake—he loves you so much—could you maybe set your pride aside? Even if you're breaking up, it's better to understand everything first, right? You could ask Boyd directly, but I doubt he'll tell you much.]

Yasmine stared at the text for a long time, torn between curiosity and pride. Eventually, she tossed her phone aside.

Clever girl. Her message was certainly tempting.

Yasmine's curiosity was piqued. She wanted to know what Serana would reveal, but she didn't make her way to the hospital until two days later.

Boyd's assistant couldn't hide her surprise upon seeing Yasmine.

"Ms. Yasmine."

As Yasmine took in the two towering bodyguards stationed outside Serana's room, their eyes filled with warning, she smirked at Boyd's assistant. "Quite the VIP treatment."

"Uh." The assistant squirmed. "Please don't misunderstand, Ms. Yasmine. It's just that there are special circumstances."

"Another special circumstance?" Yasmine teased, twirling a stem of lilies in her hand. "Don't beat around the bush. Just say Serana is someone special, and be done with it."

Her words were casual, yet they cut deep. Everyone knew Boyd's affections, yet she always managed to twist the knife.

"Ms. Yasmine, please."

Yasmine passed the bodyguards with a nonchalant smile and entered the room.

Serana was sitting up in bed, expecting her. She remained seated like a host awaiting a guest. "You came?" Serana smiled and said.

Yasmine placed the lilies on the bedside table and took a seat, her posture exuding her usual air of aloofness. "Spit it out. What's so important that you had to say to me?" she asked, legs crossed, her cool gaze fixed on Serana.

Serana faltered slightly before continuing, "Do you know why Boyd slap me back at school?"

Yasmine stayed silent, waiting for the story to unfold.

In that moment, Yasmine truly thought Serana was insane. To cling to a man with no ties, no promises, she was willing to gamble her life.

"Your parents took a risky path, even sacrificing their lives, to give you a complete childhood and a life without regrets. And here you are, throwing away your life for a man."

"Do you find this ridiculous?" Serana suddenly asked her, "If there ever comes a day, would you risk your life for Boyd?"

Yasmine frowned, "I'm not as foolish as you."

Serana said with a laugh, "You were more honest as a kid. What were you thinking when you saved me back then? Weren't you afraid he'd misunderstand, despise, and hate you?"

Yasmine hesitated, then narrowed her eyes at her, "You're mistaken. I saved you on a whim of conscience, and it wasn’t a life-for-life situation. Saving you didn’t mean I had to die. Besides, while I don’t care if he misunderstands, despises, or hates me, more than that, I'd rather he lives with guilt towards me for a lifetime, never able to live in peace. And now, I'm not a ten-year-old child, and I certainly won't do something brainless."

Serana seemed entirely unconvinced, "As for the child in my womb, rest assured, it's not Boyd's."

Yasmine scoffed.

A frown tugged at Serana's brow, "Don't you have even the slightest bit of trust in him?"

"You're wrong again. It's you I don't trust. There are way too many shameless women in this world. You definitely qualify as one," Yasmine didn't hold back her contempt for Serana, "Not only are you shameless, but you're also senseless. Given a situation like yours, the quickest and wisest solution would have been to have his child, but you went off and got pregnant with another man's child instead? Hah..."

It was like a giant joke.

Serana's brow furrowed slightly, tears swirling in her eyes as her hands clenched tightly, her whole body trembling. "Because I love Boyd, and Boyd loves you."

Yasmine closed her eyes briefly, her patience wearing thin.

"I wanted him to be happy, to be well, so I had to make it happen for him. If it weren't for you pushing me and Boyd, I wouldn't have come to this. So now you can rest easy, I'll never be anything to him."

"Why should I rest easy?"

"You..."

"Why should I believe you when you say the kid isn't his? What's in it for me to trust you, huh? What, so you two can play house behind my back until the baby's born, then I find out I'm the sucker and it's time for me to pack my bags and hit the road? I'll tell you what, the best play here is not to buy any of it. That way, I don't have to spend my nights tossing and turning, worrying about getting played for a fool.

"But look at you, getting your way in the end. Doesn't even matter if the kid is his or not. Given the mess he's in, he can't just leave you high and dry. You're over here, heart condition and all, talking about having a baby and needing a heart transplant. The man is swamped, and it's going to be years before he can catch a break. You two got more drama than a soap opera, and frankly, I don't have the time or the interest to waste on this circus. So, count me out."