The Enticing CEO’s Chosen Bride novel Chapter 1936

"Boyd left this morning. He went back to B Country with Herschel."

Yasmine's embrace around her grandchild tightened for a moment.

Chloe's brows knit together slightly, "Are you sure you won’t regret it?"

Elizabeth, who had been lounging on the sofa, slowly stood up, a look of concern etched on her face as she watched Yasmine.

Yasmine's eyes glinted briefly. She masked every emotion on her face and said calmly, "There's nothing to regret. What would regret change anyway? Am I supposed to end up like him, a total nutcase?"

Chloe pressed her lips together, "I just hope you truly believe in what you're saying. By hurting Boyd, you're hurting yourself just as much, if not worse."d2

Yasmine offered a wry smile, "When you put it that way, I suppose you're right."

Yasmine was so stubborn. Chloe decided not to push further and bent down to pluck a thread from the stroller's fabric.

Elizabeth looked from Yasmine to Chloe, puzzled. Neither seemed inclined to continue the conversation. Elizabeth suddenly missed her husband.

In the days that followed, Yasmine stayed in Greenfield Village, acting like any other day. She ate normally, slept normally, played with the babies, and seemed to laugh more each day as the babies grew and responded to her. She didn't seem like someone harboring a heavy secret.

At first, Chloe was concerned, but she eventually came to terms with it. Perhaps Yasmine's desire to rid herself of Boyd was her most earnest wish in life. If separation made her truly happy, Chloe was content to see her at peace.

However, Chloe couldn’t shake off a niggling feeling about Boyd's abrupt departure, leaving behind no trace of a father's responsibility.

--

Three months later.

The living room was carpeted with soft rugs and topped with sponge mats for safety, and the sharp edges of tables and cabinets were all securely padded. This was all because Little Sun and Little Moon, the two bundles of joy, were now wobblingly sitting up and even crawling a bit.

The crib was no longer their small world. Toys littered the floor, and the two energetic tots were particularly lively.

Elizabeth and Yasmine had to be more vigilant than ever.

The presence of the babies was like the village's very own happy pill, filling each day with laughter. Elizabeth and Yasmine were no exception.

Still Chloe noticed Yasmine's temper getting worse by the day, her irritation more apparent except when she was with the babies. It was like walking on eggshells around her, never knowing what might set her off. Chloe, unsure of the cause and fearful of setting off the ticking bomb, tentatively chalked it up to a midlife crisis.

The babies rarely needed Chloe’s care. Sometimes, she got involved with some business affairs and kept an eye on news from B Country.

Herschel, being a president, wasn't on TV that frequently, but his policies and economic movements were often in the news, and occasionally there was coverage of his regional visits.

Getting updates on Boyd was almost impossible. However, today there was an exclusive accompanying interview with Herschel, mainly focused on capturing a day in Herschel's everyday life.

Yasmine and Elizabeth took the little ones out for a play, leaving Chloe to watch the news in the living room, curious if this 'day in the life' would offer a glimpse of the estranged father.

The President's day started at eight in the morning with state affairs, followed by high-level briefings and his secretary at his side, helping to sort and summarize.

At ten, there was a personal inspection of a development area. Lunch at twelve with local government officials. Returned to the presidential residence at two, surveying en route. By two-thirty, he was on international calls with other country leaders. At three-thirty, during a rare break, he hit the gym.

Chloe found it dull. That was when she heard Elizabeth and Yasmine's voices at the door, and she got up to go outside.

The little babies were always happiest playing outside and were reluctant to come in. She stepped out to adjust their hats and casually asked, "What would you like for lunch? I can have the maid prepare something."

Elizabeth said she'd go to the kitchen herself later.

Yasmine, never one for cooking even in her younger days, held her precious grandchild but didn't look too keen. "I'm not hungry. Whatever's made is fine."

Elizabeth and Chloe exchanged glances. Yasmine wasn't like this before. She never settled for less, so why such an indifferent reply now?

Still, Chloe went ahead and ordered two of her favorite dishes.

As they returned to the house, the TV still flickered in the living room. On the screen was Herschel working out in the gym. At first, they paid it little mind. Women didn't typically care for such things, especially with their attention fully on the kids. But then, the former President of B Country, Boyd, was mentioned.

The women, not long inside, turned their eyes to the TV simultaneously. There, Boyd was on a treadmill, looking exceptionally well. It was a world of difference compared to how he had looked three months earlier.

Elizabeth glanced at Chloe, who in turn looked at Yasmine. Elizabeth followed Chloe's gaze to Yasmine.

With all eyes on her, Yasmine shifted her gaze away from the TV, set Little Moon down on the mat, where the baby fiddled with a rubber toy, unsure of how to play with it.

Elizabeth placed Little Sun beside Little Moon, and everyone settled back into the rhythm of daily life, the TV murmuring in the background.

The babies couldn't sit still for long, always squirming and eventually sprawling out on the cushions. It was a sight that usually brought laughter to Yasmine and Elizabeth, but today, Yasmine's expression remained unchanged.

On the TV, Boyd had stepped off the treadmill, and the camera zoomed in on him. Yasmine stood up, an icy look crossing her face as she turned towards Chloe. With a swift motion, Chloe grabbed the remote and switched off the television. The silence that filled the living room was almost palpable.

"I'm not hungry for lunch," Yasmine suddenly declared.

Chloe frowned slightly, about to say something when Yasmine headed upstairs. "I made plans for lunch with someone. Don't worry about me."

Chloe followed her a few steps. "You said we could whip up something simple just a while ago. And who's invited you out now all of a sudden?"

"Do I need to report all my appointments to you? Am I your mother, or are you mine?"

Chloe pursed her lips, "I'll arrange the driver." Yasmine was a force to be reckoned with.

When she came back down, Yasmine had changed into an outfit that was hard to miss even in the cold winter. She was decked out in a corduroy, plum-colored dress with intricate embroidery—a creation by Elizabeth herself, intended for New Year's celebrations. Yasmine had, inexplicably, chosen to don it today.

"Honey, who are you meeting that you dressed up so fancy?" Elizabeth inquired cautiously. The dress looked stunning on Yasmine, and any woman would envy her, while men would be captivated at first glance.

"Mr. Fletcher has been persistent in his invitations. It wouldn't be right to refuse him again today."

Chloe and Elizabeth exchanged a look. After three months of rejections, why did she suddenly feel like going out with him today?

Yasmine's temperament was hardly accommodating. She lived for her own happiness, and today's words seemed to stem from an unusual agitation.

Chloe raised an eyebrow. Yasmine had been unpredictably moody these past few days, and her actions were even more baffling.

If there was a reason behind today's behavior, Chloe could guess one—it must be because of the man on the TV, the one Yasmine had asked to leave before. Was Yasmine upset seeing him doing better than expected, and now she needed to outshine him? But what about Yasmine's recent mood swings?

"Are you...?" Chloe began, but a sharp look from Yasmine cut her off.

Understanding what Chloe was about to say, Yasmine shot her a warning glance and left the house, her driver holding the car door open for her.

Chloe returned to the living room where Little Sun and Little Moon were each clutching a small pillow, playing contentedly.

Elizabeth looked at her, "Do you think your mom is seeing a new man? But she doesn't even like Mr. Fletcher. She's been refusing him for months, and now she suddenly agrees to a date without any warning?"

Elizabeth paused, tilting her head in confusion, "She's not really considering a relationship with Mr. Fletcher, is she?"

Chloe remained silent.

"How could she? If she wanted to be with another man, she would've done so by now, right?" Elizabeth continued.

Chloe didn't respond.

Elizabeth then turned her head to the other side, "But, you know, fate is unpredictable. What if there's really something between her and Mr. Fletcher? Maybe it's a case of 'good things come to those who wait'?"

Chloe still said nothing.

Half an hour after Yasmine's departure, Chloe received a call from the driver, giving her the details of the restaurant where Yasmine was dining with Mr. Fletcher. Chloe thought it was commendable how patient and good-natured Mr. Fletcher was after being turned down for so long.

After putting the babies down for their nap, Chloe got a call from Damon. "Are those two little troublemakers asleep?"

Chloe couldn't help but smile at Damon's grudging nickname for the babies, who indeed had given him a hard time.

"Yeah, what do you have in mind for lunch?"

Damon leaned back in his office chair, his gaze drifting to the leather couch in front of him, "Nate will take care of it."

Chloe's brow furrowed, "Don't you have a craving for anything?"

Damon's fingers, distinct and strong, scrolled lightly over his phone, his voice deep and tinged with a hint of mock grievance, though a smile was playing on his lips. "Just something to fill the stomach."

Chloe let out a sigh through the phone, "Wait for me, I'll bring you something to eat."

Damon's smile grew wider, "Are you willing to part with those two little ones?"

"They’ll be fine. They're good kids."

"Then, I'm in your debt, Mrs. Harper."