The Enticing CEO's Chosen Bride novel Chapter 1880

The Angel's Haven Orphanage wasn't exactly a beacon for philanthropy. Nestled in an unassuming corner of town, it was too small to catch the eye of tycoons or celebrities looking for a charity to boost their image. Without the lure of media buzz, the orphanage didn't attract those seeking to showcase their generosity for a PR boost. Everyone knew that big gestures during a crisis got more attention than the quiet struggle of making ends meet.

Still, Angel's Haven Orphanage stayed afloat through the years, thanks to the silent support of a few true philanthropists who didn't need their names in lights.

Yasmine was too young to understand these complexities at six or seven. But as she grew older, the weight of the orphanage's struggles became more apparent. The quality of meals improved with every benefactor's visit, and the director's smile returned briefly, teaching Yasmine that their survival hinged on the kindness of strangers.

To the kids, these visitors were akin to Santa Claus, distributing cookies, toys, or books in the classroom, leaving them beaming with joy. All except for one boy, who, despite his tender age, always seemed to cloak himself in solitude, warding off any approach with an invisible barrier.

Yasmine, for her part, often sat alone by the flowerbeds, with a book in her hands, observing her peers with a careful, almost investigative gaze. She hoped to find a friend among them, yet over time, she realized they were too transparent, their motives too simple, their attempts at friendship too clumsy.

Occasionally, so-called philanthropists would arrive with their entourage of journalists, making a show of handing over an oversized check and spouting rehearsed lines, only to wear a look of distaste once the cameras were off. It dawned on Yasmine that in a world that only accepted the good, everyone had to play the part.d2

Her detachment grew as she watched from the sidelines, until one day she noticed the aloof boy with his nose always in a book, just like her. Their eyes met, and it was clear that if she wanted to understand him, she'd have to try a different tactic.

Boyd had reached the same conclusion. Both had seen through the charades at Angel's Haven Orphanage and were bored with the superficiality. They started a silent game of getting to know each other, building impenetrable walls they thought unassailable.

Yet, somehow, they became what others saw as "good friends," a concept neither fully understood nor accepted. But their lives seemed richer for it, and even the director seemed relieved, seeing in their unique bond a semblance of normalcy.

For two years, this was their life. Then Serena arrived. With her short-cropped hair and a white dress that barely hinted at her gender, she was a mystery. Yasmine learned that Serena was seven and had lost her parents in a car accident. Thrown from the vehicle just before it exploded, Serena was deaf in one ear and her scalp had been spared from worse burns thanks to a sprinkler in the field where she landed.

Serena kept to herself, just like Yasmine had, repelling any attempts at friendship.

Yasmine always felt a sense of familiarity with this girl Serana, as if she was seeing her past self.

On the surface, she seemed to be more fortunate than Serana. Her body was healthy and there were no issues. Yasmine had noticed that during crucial conversations, despite Serana’s obvious fear and shyness, she would strive to listen attentively, afraid to miss even a single word. Yasmine found it hard to watch.

Serana was self-conscious due to her left ear being deaf. Aside from these, Yasmine could also see the longing and desire in Serana's eyes. It might be the longing for her parents, or the desire to have some friends, after all, she was just a child.

As for anything else, Yasmine could not tell.

Neither could Boyd.