I Refuse to Be Your Second Choice novel Chapter 196

Camila led Natalie into a spacious walk-in closet. One wall was lined with wardrobes filled with designer clothes, another was dedicated to luxury bags and shoes, and a large glass display case in the center overflowed with dazzling jewelry.

Like a proud swan, Camila tilted her chin slightly. "Alex had this custom-built for me. I could never wear all of these clothes and jewels, of course, but Alex said this will be our marital home, and he wants to give me the best of everything. He wants me to be the happiest woman in the world."

Natalie had assumed it was just a private villa. So this was to be their home.

"What do you think of this place?" Camila asked, turning to look at her with a smug expression.

"It's very nice," Natalie replied, her face betraying no emotion.

Unsatisfied with her placid reaction, Camila smiled again. "It might not be as grand as Sagebrush Community, but I love it. Every corner of this place was personally designed by Alex for me. He put so much thought into it."

Natalie remembered how she had poured her heart into designing the interiors of Sagebrush Community herself. Alexander had been too busy, telling her to consider it her wedding gift to him.

"Ms. White, I'll help you with the tiara now."

Not wanting to waste any more time, Natalie tried to steer the conversation back on track. Camila's lips curled into a smirk. She turned to a maid and asked, "Has the engagement gown Alex ordered for me arrived yet?"

"It's on its way, ma'am," the maid replied.

Camila turned back to Natalie, her smile deceptively innocent. "I need to see it with the gown, of course. You'll have to wait a little longer, I'm afraid."

Natalie's left wrist was still throbbing with pain, and she had been enduring it while holding the box containing the tiara. The tiara itself was heavy, and the case was made of high-quality, substantial materials. Even for a person with two healthy hands, holding it for so long would be a strain.

"That's fine," Natalie said through gritted teeth.

She glanced at the glass display case in the center of the room and walked over to set the box down.

"Oh, no!" Camila exclaimed, rushing over. "You can't put it on there. That's not ordinary glass; it's made of a special kind of polished crystal. Setting something on it will scratch the surface."

"Besides," she added, "this box is very heavy. You can't put that much pressure on it." She then smiled sweetly at Natalie. "I'm so sorry, but you'll have to hold it a bit longer."

It was just a string of excuses, all designed to torment her, knowing her hand was injured.

Natalie spotted a single armchair nearby and picked up the box to move toward it.

But Camila was quicker, sinking into the chair before she could reach it. "A pregnant woman shouldn't stand for too long," she said, her smile practically blooming across her face.

Camila stood up, her displeasure evident, and went to try it on. A few moments later, she emerged in a simple, elegant white dress. Although she was in the early stages of pregnancy, a slight bump was visible.

She looked at herself in the mirror, seemingly dissatisfied. Then, her eyes met Natalie's in the reflection. "Bring the tiara over and put it on me," she commanded, as if speaking to a servant.

Ignoring her tone, Natalie opened the box, lifted out the magnificent diamond tiara, and walked over.

Just as she was about to place it on Camila's head, Camila suddenly exclaimed, "No, this part around my stomach isn't right at all. How am I supposed to wear this!"

She abruptly moved her head away and called out to the maid, "Where is the designer? Bring her in here."

With the tiara unable to be placed, Natalie was left holding it again.

She stepped forward. "The gown can be adjusted later, but that doesn't affect trying on the tiara. Ms. White, please cooperate."

"Cooperate with what? Can't you see there's a problem with my dress?!" Camila snapped.

At that moment, the door opened. Expecting the designer, both women looked over, only to see Alexander Ramirez walking in.