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

And in their routine, she’d find herself

even hostility towards

other kids at Angel’s Haven Orphanage noticed too, whispering behind

refute them.

knew

did it start,

the garden bloomed exceptionally beautiful, and the two silhouettes

appeared so harmonious.

days later, she found the

captivating sight at Angel’s Haven Orphanage. Now, they were mostly

shredded, and stems snapped. Such an act was

and the

days after planting, I saw her by the

too, uprooting the seedlings with that trowel,”

the garden was frightening, like… like when she looks at Serana,”

doesn’t like Serana. We all know that. The lilies were planted by Serana, so

another.

piled up, but Yasmine just

extra seeds after Serana planted, knowing the germination rate was low.

too dense, she thinned them

concepts and blamed her out of ignorance,

frustrating and laughable.

picking up petals with

displeasure at Yasmine, but the

concern.

any particular feelings about Serana. There’s no motive. It

the orphanage didn’t jump to conclusions based

statement. After all, the lilies thrived

time being, and the

reprimand for the culprit.

the “crime,” seemed indifferent to

a rare appearance in craft class, he paired up with Yasmine, who had been

at a long table, as Serana was already working with someone

playing with colorful paper, greeted him casually.

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

grown accustomed to.

he shook the books, and out fluttered colorful petals. One

in the petals of lilies, pressed

felt inexplicably

him, his eyes serene but his lips curved in a casual smile. “I recall Serana was the one

all those flower

gaze, standing by the table,

universe of secrets,

care much about them,” he

light chuckle. “And what, pray tell, should I feel about

a long moment. “Indeed, Serana picked them