I Refuse to Be Your Second Choice novel Chapter 109

Alexander had just finished a video conference when his phone rang.

He swiped to answer, and Natalie’s cold voice came through the line. “I don't need any of this. Please, tell them to leave.”

Her friend lived in a normal apartment building. Having these people coming and going every day would surely cause trouble for Arianna.

“Arianna Mitchell doesn't cook, and you get off work late. Who’s supposed to make dinner for whom? My wife is staying at someone else's house; I should at least show some courtesy. Or, you could just come home early.” Alexander’s voice was calm as he leaned back in his chair, fiddling with a pen.

Natalie was silent for a moment. “You’re forcing my hand.”

He had promised not to bother her, but everything he was doing screamed that this would all stop the moment she agreed to go home.

“It’s a common courtesy, Natalie. I am trying to apologize for what I did. I can tolerate you being upset with me, but I just hope there’s a time limit.” After all, he wasn't entirely to blame. He was willing to turn a blind eye to her affair with Eugene; he had no intention of pursuing it further. He could let go of something that damaged his pride as a man, so why was she still holding onto this?

“You think I’m just throwing a tantrum?” Natalie glanced at the cartoon desk calendar. There were still ten days left until the one-month deadline they had agreed upon.

“Just know when to stop. We can have a good life together, like a fresh start,” Alexander said.

Natalie laughed humorlessly. “A fresh start just because you say so? Alexander, there are ten days left.”

There was no fresh start for them. The loss of their child was a pain she could never erase.

Alexander frowned, knowing exactly what she meant by ten days.

“I’ve already moved past my grievances, and you’re still insisting on this? Natalie, don’t you have a conscience?”

Natalie took a deep breath. “I don’t want to fight with you. In ten days, I’ll see you at the courthouse to honor your promise. I know you’re not the type to go back on your word.”

With that, she ended the call, her hand gripping the phone so tightly her knuckles turned white. Her body felt limp, and she leaned against a nearby dresser for support before slowly sinking to the floor, wrapping her arms around herself.

“Natalie, are you okay?”

Arianna had guessed she was calling Alexander. When Natalie didn't come out of the bedroom for a long time, she grew worried and went to check, finding her friend huddled on the floor with her head buried in her arms.

—

The next morning, Natalie returned from the appraisal department to find Ava Thompson waiting for her. Ava told her that Eric Bailey was in the conference room.

She hurried over. After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Eric stated his reason for the visit. He produced a wooden box, opened it, and took out a pocket watch.

“My grandfather would like your company to auction this pocket watch for him.”

Natalie took it and examined it carefully. When she opened the watch, a delicate melody played, filling the air with an old-world charm. She turned it over and saw a single word engraved on the back.

“This watch must hold special meaning for Mr. Bailey,” Natalie said. “Is he certain he wants to auction it?”

If it weren't significant, it wouldn’t have an inscription on the back, and the elegant script suggested it was written by a woman.

Eric sighed. “This watch belonged to my grandmother’s secret love. My grandfather only recently discovered it among her belongings.”