The Enticing CEO's Chosen Bride novel Chapter 1905

Derek shook his head while Bryson and Aliza exchanged a look, their lips pressed tightly together in silent communication.

Bryson sat down at the kitchen table, and Aliza ladled out some soup for them.

Yasmine took a spoonful and then spoke up, "Aliza, I've been off my food lately. Next time, could you add a dash of vinegar to the soup?"

Aliza sighed, then asked, "Maybe you should see a doctor?"

Yasmine just shook her head. "It's nothing. Sometimes you just crave a change of flavor."

That was when Derek chimed in with a tease, "So, does that mean you're thinking of replacing Boyd, too?"d2

A sharp kick under the table from his father came with a stern glare. Aliza also threw Derek a disapproving glance.

Biting back a grimace, Derek shoveled a forkful of food into his mouth.

Yasmine didn't seem to react to the jab. After she finished her soup and picked at her food, she put down her fork.

Aliza looked worried. "You've hardly touched anything."

"I'll eat when I'm hungry," Yasmine said, standing up.

"I'll whip up some light snacks for you later, just in case."

"Sure."

The mood was subdued. Nobody said much more as Yasmine retreated to her room. A sudden breakup can mess with your appetite, that was for sure.

Back in her room, Yasmine flipped open her laptop to search for a movie with good reviews, then she grabbed her phone and curled up in her chair to play some mobile games.

She split her attention between the movie and the game. Texts and calls kept coming in, but she just cut the calls short and ignored the messages, continuing her gaming.

There weren't many numbers on her phone, really. Aside from gaming and catching up on news, the phone might as well have existed just for Boyd. Other than him, who else would reach out to her?

She had no idea what he wanted with his relentless calls and texts, but just seeing his number irritated her. Whatever he might say would likely just annoy her further, so she kept to her movies and games, not about to let anything ruin her peace.

Downstairs, Boyd leaned against his car, scrolling through his phone, his face shadowed as he saw his messages sinking into the digital abyss. He looked up at her darkened window, where faint, colorful light flickered.

He could almost picture her at her desk by the window, half-watching TV, half-absorbed in her phone, dismissing his calls and texts without a second thought.

Knowing she wouldn't give him the time of day was maddening, but doing nothing wasn't an option either. It would only leave him anxious and afraid.

After a while, the light in her room went on, and he saw her silhouette. He stood and dialed her number again. But the shadow moved away, and the call went unanswered.

After her bath, Yasmine just went to bed and turned off the light.

Boyd lingered outside for nearly four hours more.

Derek, not one for tidiness, surprised himself by gathering the trash from his room and taking it out. At ten o'clock, Boyd was still there. Shaking his head, Derek approached him. "Man, you've made your point. Go home."

Boyd glanced at him. "How is she?"

"She didn't eat much dinner, but she snacked later. She's fine, probably asleep by now," Derek said, gesturing toward Yasmine's window.

He looked Boyd over and saw his clenched jaw, the stoic facade.

"That girl, she's tough. Acts like she doesn't care, and has a knack for settling with whatever comes her way. What did you do to make her want to break it off?"

Despite probing into tender territory, Derek was genuinely curious.

"Settle..." Boyd repeated, lost in thought.

He didn't want her to settle. He could give her everything she wanted. Why would she settle for just getting by?

Seeing Boyd's response, Derek knew he wouldn't get anything more out of him. "Anyway, she's one of a kind. Happy as a saint one minute, fierce as a demon the next, and stubborn as a mule. You know her, so you might as well go home. She won't budge if she's made up her mind, and you lingering here won't help. If anything, it'll make her more irritable, and then the whole family's walking on eggshells. Do yourself a favor."

"If that's the case, then I'm sorry," Boyd finally said. He had to see her. He wouldn't accept the breakup.

Derek was taken aback. "You're both as stubborn as each other. Fine, if you're set on waiting, wait. I can always not go home."

His curiosity unsatisfied and his mission unaccomplished, Derek felt like he'd taken out the trash for nothing.

The next morning, Yasmine was roused by her alarm. She got up and turned it off, then she drew back the curtains to see that familiar car still there. She unplugged her phone charger and headed to the bathroom to get ready for the day.

After breakfast, she left for school with Derek. Bryson had arranged a ride for them, already waiting downstairs.

Just as they stepped out, Boyd got out of his car.

Yasmine, however, got straight into her ride without so much as a glance at him.

Derek did give Boyd a look, shrugged his shoulders, and then joined Yasmine in the car.

The car headed straight for the university, with Boyd's car following at a distance.

Yasmine kept playing games on her phone.

Derek watched Boyd's car in the rear view mirror. "He's been waiting since yesterday afternoon, didn’t leave all night, and now he's trailing us. Look, I get you two are having issues, but this has gone on long enough."

Yasmine didn't look up from her game but asked, "Do you think he got any sleep last night?"

Considering the worn-out look on Boyd's face that morning, Derek shook his head. "Doubtful. He seems really into you. If he could sleep after you sprung a breakup on him, he'd be heartless. And if that's the case, he ain't worth keeping."