I Refuse to Be Your Second Choice novel Chapter 14

Alexander’s expression turned cold. The arm around Natalie’s waist instantly vanished. She watched as he got out of bed, his broad shoulders and lean waist on full display above his trousers, the lines of his abs clearly defined. He pulled on a shirt with a lazy, elegant motion.

“Since you’re so desperate for a divorce, fine. You can wait. The legal team at The Ramirez Group is busy. They’ll draft the papers when they have time.”

He paused, adding, “And until this is finalized, you are still Mrs. Ramirez. So act like it and take care of your husband.”

Act like it? Wasn’t he the one who should be acting like a husband?

But Natalie didn’t want to argue about who was right or wrong. As long as he agreed to the divorce, nothing else mattered.

“Don’t worry. I’ll do what’s expected of me.”

-

Natalie resumed her routine of preparing three meals a day for Alexander. Each was made with care, though she usually ended up eating them alone. Alexander was still rarely home.

But it didn’t matter anymore. She no longer waited for him with bated breath. She thought of it as honing her cooking skills in preparation for her new life in London.

One morning, Natalie was eating breakfast while scrolling through her phone. Madelyn had shared a live feed from a Billy Firth auction. As she swiped, a photo from Camila White appeared below it.

It was a perfectly angled selfie, with an elaborate breakfast spread on the table in the background. On the corner of the table rested a man's watch. Natalie didn’t need to zoom in to recognize it as Alexander’s. It was a limited edition, one of only a few in the world.

In the photo, Camila’s eyes were full of happiness. The caption read: Thanks to a certain someone for the thoughtful breakfast.

Even if he hadn’t cooked it himself, the gesture showed immense care. That kind of attention had once been reserved exclusively for her. Now…

Natalie shook her head. Why was she feeling that pang of sadness again? It wasn’t worth it for a man who didn’t love her. She put her phone down and focused on her soup.

A new message. Natalie picked up her phone again.

Arianna Mitchell: [Alexander and Camila White are trending!]

Those six months had been the happiest of her life.

Hearing his request, Natalie turned. “What for?” she asked, the words slipping out before she could stop them.

“Camila’s place isn’t livable right now. I’m letting her stay there, but I forgot the code,” he replied nonchalantly.

In that instant, her heart felt like it was being crushed by a cold, merciless hand. Her fingers curled into a fist, her voice trembling slightly. “You’re letting her stay there?”

“It’s empty anyway. What difference does it make who stays there?” His dismissive attitude suggested he saw nothing wrong with it.

Natalie’s heart sank. All this time, she had been the only one who cherished that place. To him, it was just another property, a convenient place to house someone else.

After a long silence, Natalie spoke, her voice flat. “The code is our wedding anniversary.”

Susan brought out a bowl of soup, and Alexander sat down at the table. “I don’t remember it. Just text it to me. I’ll have her change it to her own birthday so it’s easier for her to remember.”