I Refuse to Be Your Second Choice novel Chapter 13

Camila’s eyes crinkled into a smile, her expression perfectly innocent.

Before Natalie could respond, Alexander, who was already opening the driver’s door, leaned against the car roof. “It’s my car. Why are you asking her? Just get in the front.”

His tone was cold and dismissive, a stark contrast to the loving husband he had been playing just moments before. But his words made Natalie feel familiar.

He had said the same thing right after they were married. Bruce Ward had needed a ride and asked Natalie if he could take the passenger seat because he got carsick. Alexander hadn’t even let her answer before kicking Bruce. “It’s my car, why are you asking her? Get in the back. The passenger seat is my wife’s exclusive spot. You dare to even ask?”

Even as Camila spoke, she was already pulling the door open. “Oh, but I couldn’t possibly. Your passenger seat has always been Natalie’s exclusive spot. I had to ask.”

Natalie’s face remained impassive. “Ms. White, it’s just a seat.” When it came to Alexander, nothing was exclusively hers anymore. “If you get carsick, you should sit in the front.”

She turned and walked to the back of the car, missing the cold, hard stare that followed her.

The Ramirez Estate was perched on a hill overlooking Cabinda, a long drive from the city. Natalie stared out the window, the passing amber streetlights casting fleeting shadows across her face.

Just then, Camila’s phone rang. It was her father. After she hung up, her expression soured.

“Alex, my dad just called and wants me to come home. It’s out of your way. You can just drop me off on the side of the road, and I’ll get a cab.”

“What does he want now? Is he trying to set you up on another blind date?” Alexander’s tone was sharp with anger.

“Probably. But it’s fine, I can handle it,” Camila said, trying to soothe him.

Alexander swerved to the side of the road and stopped. “Handle what? Are you going to give in and marry some random guy again, just like last time? I’m coming with you.” He glanced in the rearview mirror at Natalie. “Call yourself a car. I have to take care of something.”

They were still far from the city, on the private road leading to the estate. There were no other cars. Yet he was telling her to get out here.

Natalie met his cold, sharp gaze in the mirror and replied without a hint of emotion, “Fine.”

The Rolls-Royce’s taillights disappeared into the darkness.

She was too far out to hail a cab, and ride-sharing apps were useless. Natalie ended up walking for miles. By the time she got home, a small blister had formed on her heel. But the long walk had exhausted her, and she fell asleep the moment her head hit the pillow.

“Get some sleep. Your feet must be sore after all that walking,” Alexander murmured, closing his eyes again and pulling her even tighter against him.

How did he know she had walked for miles last night?

“Idiot. You got a blister and didn't even put anything on it,” he said, as if reading her mind. “And you still want a divorce? If you leave me, who’s going to put ointment on your feet in the middle of the night?”

Her foot with the blister twitched. Natalie was taken aback. Was it possible that he cared about her again?

Just then, his phone buzzed. Without releasing her, he reached over and picked it up. Natalie caught a glimpse of the screen: a new message from Camila White. She couldn't see the content, but the name was enough to pull her back to reality.

Camila was the one he truly cared about.

“Not a word. What are you thinking about?” Alexander asked, having finished reading the message and putting his phone aside.

Natalie curled her fingers. “From now on, I won’t play along with your act. You can explain things to your parents. I want you to agree to the divorce as soon as possible. Stop dragging this out.”