The Enticing CEO’s Chosen Bride

Though they had seen much of life’s harsh realities, the children at the local orphanage couldn’t fathom the depths

of darkness that might dwell in the heart of a seven-year-old girl who had just lost her parents.

Serana kept to herself, a solitary figure in the corner, quiet and well-behaved in class, and equally so during recess,

watching the others play with an expressionless demeanor, like a still pond devoid of life.

Perhaps they sensed a kindred spirit in her, or maybe it was pity, or a thick slather of curiosity, but from that point

on, Boyd had someone else woven into the tapestry of his childhood.

From then until now, Serana had become a thread running through the narrative of his life.

In their daily interactions, Serana was the picture of innocence, speaking in gentle whispers, looking at people with

sincerity and care. Even as the years passed and she grew, she never changed – tender and fragile, yet brave and

stubborn.

Outwardly, she seemed as delicate as a glass figurine, always needing protection, yet she fiercely tried to prove her

strength, insisting she didn’t need anyone’s care and could even protect others.d2

Such a girl was irresistibly endearing – tender and attentive, pure and kind, brave, stubborn, and resilient.

Like her long, dark hair, the number of people drawn to her grew day by day. And it was true what they said – girls

should have long hair.

Yasmine was beautiful but frosty by nature. Others kept their distance. From start to finish, Boyd was her only

constant, and she never felt lonely. At least, not until she suddenly realized what loneliness was and found that

certain things had become inevitable.

Boyd’s time was no longer solely dedicated to her as he began to learn deeper subjects beyond the basic

curriculum.

Companion? She had never considered Boyd’s presence as companionship before.

But when did it start? It wasn’t when Boyd’s time began to scatter, leaving more for Serana.

Was it from the moments they shared meals together, or those occasional breaks when they sat beside the flower

beds?

Or when they planted a lily bulb together, one digging a hole, the other tenderly placing the bulb inside?

never felt

somehow, Serana began to irk her. And in their routine, she’d find herself unintentionally

hostility towards

Orphanage noticed too, whispering behind their backs,

refute them.

she knew it

it start,

when the lilies in the garden bloomed exceptionally beautiful, and

appeared so harmonious.

days later, she found the desecrated lilies, and

been a captivating sight

stems snapped. Such an act was

and the investigation

days after planting, I saw her by the garden, holding a trowel and

uprooting the seedlings with that

was frightening, like… like when

all know that. The lilies were planted by Serana,

another.

accusations piled up,

extra seeds after Serana planted,

grew too dense, she thinned them out so the others

blamed

frustrating and laughable.

picking up petals with tears streaming

the children’s naive

concern.

There’s no motive.

the orphanage didn’t jump to conclusions based on

After all, the lilies thrived mainly because

dropped for the time being, and the investigation continued quietly, possibly leading to a

reprimand for the culprit.

scene of the

following afternoon, during a rare appearance in craft class, he

at a long table, as Serana was

with colorful paper, greeted him casually. “Rare sight,” she

books he’d been carrying – a surprising choice for someone his age

grown accustomed to.

he shook the books, and out fluttered colorful petals.

table covered in the petals of

heart felt inexplicably

eyes serene but his lips curved

all those flower

the table, not much taller than the piece of

to hold a universe

seem to care

the petals and let out a light chuckle. “And what, pray

stared at her for a long moment. “Indeed, Serana picked them up. She cried over them for