I Refuse to Be Your Second Choice novel Chapter 168

Natalie’s left hand had healed enough for the splint to be removed. Alexander had made it a routine to have every meal with her, and their days in the hospital felt like a peaceful return to the early days of their marriage.

Her heart had finally settled. She would not divorce Alexander Ramirez.

When Arianna Mitchell found out, her only comment was, “I knew this would happen. But I suppose I can forgive him for the past, seeing as he was willing to die for you.”

On the day of her discharge, Natalie went for her final check-up. Worried that Alexander would wait for her, she sent him a text telling him to eat breakfast without her.

When she got back to her room, she was packing her things to go up to his suite when the police arrived.

“Ms. Watson, we’re here to ask a few more questions and take a formal statement. We didn’t want to disturb you while you were recovering.”

Natalie nodded and gestured for them to sit on the sofa.

An hour later, the officers closed their notebooks. “Thank you for your cooperation.”

After seeing them out, Natalie checked her phone. It was quiet. No messages from Alexander. He hadn't even replied to the one she sent that morning.

A flicker of surprise passed through her, but she didn’t dwell on it and headed upstairs.

Strangely, there were no bodyguards stationed outside his suite.

Natalie pushed the door open. The room was empty, the bed neatly made without a single wrinkle.

Where could he be?

She called his phone. It rang, but no one answered.

Maybe something urgent came up at the office, she thought. She herself had handled a few work matters from the hospital, with Ava Thompson bringing documents over.

Besides, Alexander always had bodyguards with him. Nothing could have happened.

With that thought, Natalie’s unease subsided. He would surely call her when he was done.

An important auction was coming up early next month. With Alexander gone, it was a good opportunity to review the materials.

The afternoon passed in silence. Every time her phone buzzed, her heart leaped, thinking it was him, but it was always a work call from Ava or a spam text.

That evening, Natalie went up to the top floor again. Alexander still wasn’t back. And there was still no word from him.

She considered calling Aaron Lee but felt it might be overbearing. If he wasn't calling or texting, he must still be busy.

She reminded herself not to revert to the old Natalie Watson. She had to be calm.

Another night passed.

The other servant nudged her, signaling her to stop talking and get back to work.

Natalie’s brow furrowed. So, it wasn’t because he was busy that he hadn't replied. He was at home resting, but he hadn't said a word to her. He hadn't answered her calls or replied to her messages. Why?

Refusing to let her mind run wild, Natalie walked to the end of the hallway and dialed his number again.

She waited, expecting the call to go to voicemail as it had before. But this time, he answered.

“Hello.”

Alexander’s cool, detached voice came through the receiver, and for a heart-stopping moment, Natalie felt like she had been transported back three years.

She suppressed the uneasy feeling in her gut. “You were discharged yesterday?”

“Yes.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?” Her tone wasn’t accusatory, just casual, with a hint of a smile. “I called you, but you didn’t pick up.”

The line went silent.

After a long pause, Alexander’s voice came back, flat and emotionless. “In three days, we’re going to the Marriage Registration Office to get our divorce certificate.”