I Refuse to Be Your Second Choice novel Chapter 187

Natalie twisted her head, narrowly avoiding the man's hand and the dirty rag.

With a sharp pain, her jaw was gripped, and her head was forced back into position. As the man lunged again, Natalie suddenly raised her hand and sprayed something directly into his eyes.

"Agh!" he screamed, dropping the rag as he clawed at his burning eyes.

Sophia, who had started walking toward the alley's exit, confident the job was done, spun around at the sound of his cry.

Before she could react, Natalie was in front of her, her hands clamped tightly around Sophia's neck. A surge of adrenaline, born from a desperate will to survive, coursed through Natalie's woozy body, lending her a strength she didn't know she had.

Sophia, frail and unaccustomed to physical struggle, immediately began to choke.

"Get… her…" she gasped, trying to command the man who was still on the ground.

He wiped at his eyes, his vision blurry, but he could see his employer being held hostage. He scrambled to his feet and charged forward.

"Stop!" Natalie shouted. "I know you're just following her orders! If you don't want to get dragged into this, don't move! This alley isn't deserted. All I have to do is scream, and someone will come!"

She began backing away, dragging Sophia with her toward the mouth of the alley, where the headlights of passing cars were now visible.

Her strength was fading fast. With one final, desperate push, she shoved Sophia forward and stumbled out into the street.

"Help! Somebody, help me!"

Sophia gasped for air, then shrieked at her accomplice, "Go get her, you idiot! If she gets away, do you really think you'll be fine?!"

The man snapped to his senses and took off after Natalie.

Her legs felt like lead, and as she saw him closing in, despair washed over her. Her knees buckled, and she fell to the pavement, unable to get back up.

Just as the man reached her, he abruptly stopped.

Through her hazy vision, Natalie saw that someone else had arrived. She heard footsteps approaching from behind and managed a faint whisper, "Help… me…" before her eyes closed and she slipped into darkness.

*

When Natalie opened her eyes, she was in a hospital bed.

*

At The Ramirez Group, Alexander was reviewing financial reports when his phone rang. It was Aaron.

"Speak," Alexander said, answering the call.

"Mr. Ramirez, Ms. Watson is fine. The doctor confirmed the sedative has been completely flushed from her system. She should be able to go home in a couple of days."

Alexander's eyes remained on the report. "Mm," was his only response.

Aaron continued, "And don't worry, Mr. Ramirez. The doctor didn't tell Ms. Watson the truth, so she doesn't know you were the one who saved her."

That night, Alexander had been at a business dinner when he saw an incoming call from Natalie. Since their divorce, she had never once contacted him voluntarily. He was so surprised that he excused himself to a quiet corner to take the call.

When he answered, however, he heard nothing but muffled, distant sounds, as if the phone's microphone was obstructed.

Confused, he said her name. "Natalie Watson, speak."