I Refuse to Be Your Second Choice novel Chapter 183

Still seething from her father’s betrayal, Camila answered the phone without checking the caller ID.

"Come out," an angry voice repeated. It was Eric Bailey.

Camila’s mind snapped back to the present. "Why are you calling me? I'm hanging up!"

She frowned and was about to end the call when he said, "If you don't come out, I'll come in and find you."

Camila froze, phone in hand. "Where are you?"

"Right outside your front gate."

She hurried to the window and saw a figure standing in the shadows of a large, leafy tree just outside the gate.

"Are you crazy?" she hissed into the phone, her voice dropping to a panicked whisper. "If my dad sees you, how am I supposed to explain this?"

"As long as you come out, your father won't see me," Eric insisted.

Defeated, Camila gritted her teeth and agreed.

Once outside the gate, she couldn't see anyone under the tree. She walked a little further, her eyes scanning the surroundings, wondering where he had gone.

Suddenly, a strong arm pulled her into a dark corner.

Camila let out a muffled cry as a pair of lips crashed down on hers, kissing her with a fierce desperation. The force of his grip was painful, and she thrashed against him, finally managing to push him away with all her strength.

It was Eric.

Camila wiped her mouth with the back of her hand, glaring at him. "What the hell are you doing here?"

She wanted nothing to do with him right now, yet here he was, seeking her out.

"Why are you marrying Alexander Ramirez when you're pregnant with my child? That's my baby!"

She spun a web of lies, needing to placate him before he ruined everything.

"I can help you. I can help The White Group. I—"

"You can't help!" Camila's expression changed in an instant. "Eric Bailey, if you don't agree, then go ahead! Tell everyone I'm carrying your child! Let my father kill me, or let Alexander throw me out of Cabinda!"

Her attempt at gentle persuasion had failed, and she had lost her patience. The emotional outburst triggered a wave of nausea, and she stumbled to the wall, retching until she trembled.

Watching her, Eric’s heart ached. He rushed to her side, rubbing her back.

"Okay, okay, don't get upset. I agree," he said, the words torn from him.

Camila, her head still lowered, allowed a small, triumphant smile to cross her lips.

Then she heard him ask, "But what if Alexander finds out you're lying to him?"