The Unwilling CEO's Love Game novel Chapter 243

Yasmine has known Soren back when she first met Zachary. He always hovered around Zachary, not too close but never far behind. Whenever she went out with Zachary, Soren would shoo the other guys away to keep watch from a distance.

It was always her name that he used to call her. But after she married Zachary, he started calling her Mrs. Turner.

At first, Yasmine pretended not to understand, maybe because she didn't want to. But deep down, she knew Soren had feelings for her.

Even after she and Zachary got divorced, Soren never crossed the line.

In the beginning, Zachary had asked him to check in on her now and then.

All these years, whenever Zachary was around, Soren kept his distance. But when Zachary wasn't, Soren gave Yasmine a sense of security that was hard to come by.

Everybody knew that Soren's loyalty was to Zachary, sure, but he would lay down his life for Yasmine too.

There's a secret that everyone knew: Soren's respect for Yasmine wasn't just because she was Zachary’s wife.

Some truths were better left unspoken, not a soul dared to breach that unspoken boundary.

Soren used to be a pretty boy in his youth, neglected by his grandparents who had to work far away from home. Despite being often left to his own devices, he was smart and good-looking, which made him popular with the girls. This, however, often made him a target for the local roughnecks.

There was a time when the school's belle confessed to him, and word got out. The local toughs cornered him under the overpass, nearly beat him to death, until Zachary stepped in and saved him.

Zachary was a tough guy, but that time, it took him a whole week to get back on his feet.

After that, Soren stuck to Zachary like glue and joined his rough-and-tumble life.

Life as a tough wasn't as glamorous as movies made it seem. It was mostly about taking hits or dishing them out.

Zachary, knowing Soren was still in school, encouraged him to keep at it, to at least get the high school diploma.

With Zachary's protection, Soren graduated from high school and even made it to college.

Zachary used to say that Soren was the most educated among their old gang.

That's why Zachary sent him off to further his studies, to come back and manage the business.

Zachary trusted Soren deeply, even knowing about his feelings for Yasmine. He wasn't worried about leaving them alone together.

It was that very trust that ensured Soren never overstepped his boundaries.

This was the first time in years that Soren had held Yasmine in his arms.

Underneath his calm exterior, Soren's emotions were a whirlwind. He was an adult, seasoned by life's storms, and he knew how to hide his feelings well.

He carried Yasmine into the house and placed her gently on the couch. Then he stepped back, maintaining just the right distance, letting no one accuse him of indecency.

"Zachary doesn't need your blood," Soren said, glancing at his phone, knowing exactly what she had been up to. "We've got plenty of people for that, people who are supposed to step in at times like this."

"They're not as fast as me," Yasmine replied, grabbing a blanket from nearby and wrapping it around herself. "I acted quickly because the situation was urgent. Once they arrive, they can save me instead."

Soren looked at Yasmine, swallowing the words of reprimand he had wanted to say.

Deep down, Yasmine hadn't let go of Zachary. Despite showing him a cold shoulder in public and telling everyone they were divorced, her love for him had never faded.

No matter how nonchalant her words were, her heart still beat for him.

Soren, too, knew that his relationship with Yasmine would never be more than what they were now.

"He wouldn't want you to do this," Soren said as the housekeeper brought over a glass of water. He tested the temperature before handing it to her. "He'd be worried sick if he knew."

Yasmine took a sip and smiled faintly, "Do you really think he would?"

"Of course," Soren said without thinking. "To put it cheesily, you're like his main artery. How could he not care?"

Holding the glass, Yasmine looked at Soren intently. She took a breath and narrowed her eyes. "How can you even say something like that?"