I Refuse to Be Your Second Choice novel Chapter 20

At The Ramirez Hospital, the director, surprised to see Alexander arrive in person, immediately assigned the best doctor to examine Camila. The diagnosis was a fever brought on by exposure to the cold. As a precaution, the doctor recommended she stay overnight.

The director personally arranged a private room, furnishing it to the standard one would expect for Alexander’s wife. Camila savored the attention. She watched Alexander, who sat on the sofa, legs crossed, idly playing with his phone, lost in thought.

After a moment, she began, “Alex, I’m feeling much better now. You can—”

“Get some rest,” Alexander cut her off, standing up abruptly. “Call a doctor if you feel unwell.”

The words “go home” died on her lips. She had only been making a polite gesture, not actually telling him to leave, and now he was abandoning her here? Before she could respond, he was already out the door.

Camila bit her lip, her fingers clenching the duvet. Even if Alexander still had lingering feelings for his wife, she was confident that after today, Natalie would be completely disillusioned. It was only a matter of time. Alexander Ramirez would be hers, and hers alone.

Eugene drove Natalie back to The Apex Residences.

“Thank you for everything. I really appreciate it,” Natalie said sincerely. He had pulled her from the lake and brought her home—duties that should have fallen to someone else.

“We’re family. You don’t need to thank me,” Eugene said with a gentle smile.

As Natalie opened the car door, Eugene spoke again. “In the two years you’ve been married, has Alexander been good to you?”

Back at the gallery, he had asked Alexander what was wrong between them. They didn’t act like a loving couple. He had seen Alexander’s devotion to Natalie before, but on this trip home, he sensed a deep rift between them. Alexander had been evasive, his eyes almost hostile. “You already know the answer, don’t you? Why are you asking me?” The response had made Eugene’s heart sink.

Natalie’s hand froze on the door handle. The past two years flashed through her mind.

“He’s been wonderful,” she replied, turning back with a smile so genuine it was impossible to see the lie beneath. Their marriage was over, and the reasons were too complicated to explain. So she lied.

Eugene studied her for a moment but didn’t press. “Good. If anything happens, call me… I mean, call Alexander.”

Natalie nodded and got out of the car. Eugene watched her go inside before driving away.

Susan had the day off, so the villa was dark and empty. As soon as she stepped inside, Natalie sneezed. She went straight to the kitchen to boil some water and made herself a hot, comforting soup to ward off the chill.

Just as she finished, she heard the front door open. She acted as if she hadn’t heard, pouring herself a full bowl.

A barely perceptible frown creased Alexander’s brow. “Don’t act so innocent, Natalie.”

“Then tell me, what did I do wrong?!” she finally burst out. What had she done to deserve being treated like a fool, used as a pawn for two years? If she had never met him, never married him, her life wouldn’t be like this. It might not have been luxurious, but at least it would have been peaceful. She would have been happy, building a future for herself.

Why? Why had he done this to her? Why lift her up to the heavens only to smash her back down to earth?

Her crimson-rimmed eyes stared into his, filled with all the pain and confusion of the past two years. Finally, a tear escaped, rolling down her cheek and splashing onto the table.

Alexander instinctively reached out to wipe it away.

Natalie flinched back.

His hand froze in mid-air. His voice, when he finally spoke, was as flat and cold as still water.

“Fine. I’ll tell you.”