I Refuse to Be Your Second Choice novel Chapter 165

Natalie gently unwound the strand of her hair that he had been twisting around his finger.

“You still look pale. You should go back and rest.”

She hadn’t answered his question. Alexander’s heart sank for a moment. He glanced at her bed. “I’ll just lie down here.”

With that, he climbed onto the bed and squeezed in next to her.

The single hospital bed was far too small for two people. Seeing him stubbornly refuse to leave, Natalie had no choice but to get up herself.

But as she moved, an arm snaked around her waist and pulled her back, right into his embrace. “Stay with me.”

“The bed is too narrow. We won’t both fit,” Natalie protested.

Alexander held her tight, their faces close. “Then I’ll have someone buy a bigger bed right now.”

He reached for the call button.

Natalie panicked. He was actually going to do it. Her left arm was immobilized, and her right was pinned beneath her as she lay on her side.

“Fine, fine! I’ll stay with you,” she said quickly, her eyes filled with resigned helplessness.

Alexander retracted his hand. Seeing how close she was to the edge, he pulled her deeper into his arms. “Just sleep with me for a while. I’ll give you time to think. You can tell me your answer when we wake up.”

His chin rested lightly on the top of her head as he spoke, his voice a soft murmur. “But… I hope it’s the answer I want to hear.”

Natalie’s gaze fell on his chest, his warm breath ghosting over her hair.

After he spoke, his breathing gradually deepened into a slow, steady rhythm.

A few moments later, Natalie tilted her head up slightly.

Alexander was already asleep. His body was still weak, so sleep came easily. His handsome features were peaceful in repose.

As she watched him, a wave of drowsiness washed over her, and her eyelids grew heavy.

Suddenly, a thick fog rose around her. Natalie looked around, confused, finding herself completely alone.

Then, a little girl in a white dress emerged from the mist.

“Mommy.”

Natalie froze. The girl was beautiful, with rosy cheeks and bright eyes. She looked just like a younger version of herself.

In that instant, she knew. This was her baby.

“My baby…” Natalie choked out, tears streaming down her face. “I’m so sorry, baby…”

“Don’t cry, Mommy.” The little girl came closer and wiped the tears from her cheeks.

The sorrow from the dream lingered, and Natalie’s eyes fell. “I was just dreaming about my parents.”

Alexander gathered her into his arms, his hand stroking her back soothingly. “After we get out of the hospital, I’ll go with you to see them. I’ll apologize properly and promise them again that I’ll never make you cry. We’ll live a good life together.”

Natalie understood. He was still waiting for her answer.

A large part of her insistence on divorce stemmed from their lost child. She couldn't forgive Alexander for that. But in her dream, her child had told her she didn’t blame them.

Natalie’s resolve wavered again.

Her child wanted them to be together. Maybe… maybe she should give him another chance.

She looked up, meeting his gaze. “Don’t overthink it. Just focus on getting better. We can talk about everything else after you’re discharged, okay?”

She hadn’t said yes or no to the divorce, but the stubborn insistence was gone from her voice.

Alexander let out a breath he didn’t realize he’d been holding. He knew then that she had forgiven him.

“Okay. We’ll talk after we’re discharged,” he agreed, then leaned down and placed a soft kiss on her forehead.

His lips trailed down to her eyes, her nose, and finally found hers.

Natalie felt his body react and turned her head slightly, a hint of protest in her voice. “I thought we agreed to talk after we’re discharged?”