I Refuse to Be Your Second Choice novel Chapter 107

“I told you, she’s not here. Don’t…”

Before Arianna could finish, he hung up.

She looked up to see Natalie standing at the kitchen doorway.

“Natalie, why are you up? Did I wake you with my loud voice?”

Natalie shook her head. “I was thirsty and came to get some water.”

She had overheard the phone call.

Arianna quickly ladled the porridge into a bowl, worried that Natalie would get sicker if she caught a chill, and urged her back to bed.

“I’m fine, I feel much better now.”

Though she hadn't slept for long, she had broken a sweat, and the fever seemed to have subsided. She felt a bit more energetic.

The two sat on the sofa. Arianna, still concerned, draped a blanket over her. As Natalie ate her porridge, Arianna whispered, “Alexander Ramirez knows you’re here… I didn’t tell him, I said you weren’t, but he was completely certain. He even said a doctor is on the way.”

Natalie had heard the entire conversation. “He knew I was here because you weren’t panicking.”

If Natalie had truly gone missing, and even Arianna didn't know where she was, Arianna’s first reaction upon receiving his call wouldn't have been calm sarcasm, but frantic cursing as she rushed out the door to search.

Realization dawned on Arianna. “You really know that jerk best,” she blurted out.

Natalie’s hand, holding the spoon, paused for a fraction of a second.

Arianna slapped her own mouth for her slip of the tongue. After a moment's hesitation, she asked cautiously, “Were you crying earlier because of Alexander Ramirez?”

In her eyes, Natalie was a strong person, capable of facing anything and anyone with composure. There was only one person who could consistently rattle her: Alexander Ramirez.

Natalie held the bowl, her gaze lowered. “Arianna, I don’t think I can ever forgive Alexander Ramirez…”

“He said I told him so myself.”

She remembered that night at BlueNight when Alexander had dragged her into an empty private room and, for the first time, accused her of being in love with Eugene. She had been shocked, thinking he had gone mad, but he insisted she had said it herself.

After Natalie finished her explanation, Arianna was left speechless.

She couldn't make sense of it. She sat back down on the sofa, studying Natalie intently. “You said it yourself? Natalie, don’t tell me you actually…”

Natalie immediately looked up, her expression serious, cutting her off. “I have never had feelings for Professor Ramirez. Arianna, you don’t believe me either?”

Arianna quickly waved her hands. “No, no, of course I believe you! But, I mean, Professor Ramirez is an exceptional man, so it wouldn't be surprising if someone did fall for him. But I know you only respect him. Why would Alexander claim you confessed it yourself?”

That was something Natalie couldn’t figure out either. She had never said a single word about being in love with Eugene, yet Alexander was utterly convinced.

“I remember now!” Arianna suddenly exclaimed, her voice rising. “Natalie, you really did confess your feelings to Professor Ramirez!”