I Refuse to Be Your Second Choice novel Chapter 10

Natalie whirled around.

Alexander was standing in the doorway, a playful, mocking look on his face.

When had he come in? He hadn’t made a sound. And had he overheard her talking to herself just now?

“I’m a person, not a ghost,” he said dryly, seeing the way she was staring at him.

“Weren’t you at the…” Natalie started, nearly blurting out “exhibition hall.”

“At the what?” Alexander watched her, his gaze sharp and meaningful.

Natalie’s heart pounded so hard she thought it would leap out of her chest. She forced herself to remain calm, her expression placid. “Weren’t you on a business trip? Why are you back so suddenly?”

“So scared to see me back? Are you hiding someone?” Alexander retorted, his words dripping with sarcasm as he tossed his jacket onto the arm of the sofa.

The nerve of him! He was the one cheating, the one who had just appeared at an exhibition with Camila. An appearance like that in public meant he didn’t care if the media saw them. Of course, the public didn’t know he was married; only their inner circle did. That must be why he felt so unrestrained.

Not wanting to argue, Natalie turned and headed for her room. Just as she was about to give Madelyn a quick message that her task was complete, the guest room door was pushed open.

Alexander walked in, pillow in hand, and tossed it onto her bed.

“Why didn’t you knock? And what are you doing putting your pillow on my bed?” Natalie frowned, moving to block him.

She reached out, but he easily deflected her hand, capturing it in his.

“Don’t even think about the divorce. If you won’t move back, then I’ll just have to move in here.”

Hearing this, Natalie grew frantic. “Alexander, on what grounds can you refuse a divorce? Do you want me to just stand by and watch you with Camila White? Is that it? Do you enjoy torturing me?”

She twisted her wrist, trying to break free, but his grip was like iron.

“Was that you, the one talking about the meteorite?” Alexander ignored her struggles, his eyes like burning coals as he asked the seemingly random question.

Natalie’s mind raced. Her first instinct was to deny it, but then she realized that would prove she knew about the auction preview and the meteorite.

“Well, at least you’re self-aware. Saves me the trouble of having someone buy them for you.”

When Natalie looked up again, his cold glare had been replaced by a look of pure mockery.

So, he had never wanted a child with her.

Her chest felt heavy, as if a large stone were crushing it. She took a deep breath. “There’s no need for us to have children. We’re getting a divorce anyway. If you don’t agree, I’ll file a lawsuit. A public scandal won’t be good for you or The Ramirez Group.”

The Ramirez Group was thriving. A messy divorce would damage both his reputation and the company's. As a businessman, he couldn’t afford to ignore that.

Alexander’s eyes narrowed. “So, I should thank you for being so considerate?” He stood up, his six-foot-two frame towering over her five-foot-five, making her feel small. “Do you really think you can control me with threats like that? Don’t be so naive, Natalie. If you think you can drag this out publicly, be my guest.”

Just then, Susan knocked on the door.

“Mr. Ramirez, your mother called. She wants you both to come over for dinner this afternoon. She said Eugene Ramirez is back.”

At the mention of "Eugene Ramirez," Alexander let out a sneer, his expression growing even colder.