I Refuse to Be Your Second Choice novel Chapter 215

Natalie’s black dress was strapless, hugging her figure in a way that felt both elegant and dangerously precarious. She glanced down and realized, with growing panic, that the top was slowly slipping lower and lower. Any second now, it might fall right off. Her heart hammered as she clutched the fabric to her chest, desperate to keep it in place, but the dress kept sliding. If it dropped any further, she’d be exposed in front of the entire party.

The main hall was packed with guests, the air buzzing with laughter and conversation. So far, no one seemed to have noticed her struggle, but it was only a matter of time. Just as her cheeks drained of color and she started to imagine the disaster about to unfold, the lights suddenly cut out, throwing the room into total darkness.

“What’s happening?” someone called out nearby.

“Did the power just go out?”

“A place like this, and they can’t keep the lights on?”

The crowd erupted into confused chatter, voices echoing off the high ceilings. Natalie froze, startled, when she felt someone gently wrap a jacket around her shoulders. She couldn’t see a thing, but the fabric felt warm and reassuring. After what felt like forever—though it was probably just a minute—the lights flicked back on.

Standing beside her was Samuel Thompson, his suit jacket draped protectively around her shoulders.

“Are you alright?” he asked, his voice low and calm.

Natalie pulled the jacket closer, nodding gratefully. “I’m okay, thanks.” She quickly glanced down and noticed the foot that had been pinning her dress had disappeared. Still, she remembered seeing that sparkling crystal heel. Camila White’s signature shoes.

Natalie looked up to find Camila across the room, watching her with a look that was almost a smile, but not quite. There was a flash of irritation in her eyes, like she was annoyed her plan had failed at the last second. Natalie could almost hear the grinding of her teeth.

The lights were fully on again. Someone nearby asked, “What just happened?”

A staff member hurried over, saying, “Everything’s fine. Looks like someone accidentally hit the main switch and turned off the lights.”

Everyone relaxed. The party chatter resumed, glasses clinking, laughter picking up where it had left off. Alexander Ramirez strolled over, his gaze lingering on Natalie a little longer than necessary before a crooked smile tugged at his lips. “Interesting outfit, Ms. Watson. Not everyone could pull that off.”

Natalie shrugged. “She was the one stepping on my dress. I just said something that hit a nerve.”

Slapping Camila would have been too easy and too obvious. Natalie knew Camila’s real weakness was her jealousy. The fact that Natalie had once been married to Alexander, and that he still paid attention to her, drove Camila crazy. So Natalie had whispered, “He never went outside for air.”

If Alexander hadn’t gone out, where had he been? And how did Natalie know? The message was all too clear.

Samuel nodded, like he understood. “No wonder I saw her standing so close behind you,” he said. He glanced at her, a little more gently now. “Thanks for thanking me for the jacket. And for the lights, too, I guess, but…”

Natalie smiled, a little embarrassed. “I really appreciate you having someone turn off the lights. That was quick thinking.”

But Samuel shook his head, looking as surprised as she felt. “That wasn’t me.”