I Refuse to Be Your Second Choice novel Chapter 216

As Natalie faded from sight, Camila found herself glancing at Alexander. His eyes were trained straight ahead. Not a single flicker of emotion or distraction.

Camila pressed her hands tight around her dress, trying to steady herself. Natalie’s words replayed in her head, cold and sharp. He never went outside for air.

So they’d been together in that room upstairs. Just the two of them. The thought made Camila want to scream. She wanted to demand answers from Alexander. They were about to get engaged. How could he still be seeing his ex-wife?

“Alex, I’m a little tired. Can we go home?” She forced her voice to sound light, even though she was furious.

No matter how mad she was, Camila knew she couldn’t blow up at him. She still had to keep Alexander happy, at least until the engagement went through. And with the baby... Even if Alexander didn’t care, the Ramirez family would. She was sure of it.

Alexander didn’t argue. He just gave a quiet, indifferent “Mm” and walked out, not even glancing back.

Camila didn’t rush after him. Instead, she slipped her phone from her purse and hurried off a message to Savannah Davis. Savannah, I saw Alex and Natalie Watson in a room together. They looked so close. I feel awful. My stomach hurts.

Savannah replied almost right away. Camila, don’t stress yourself out. Think about the baby. Leave this to me.

Thank you, Camila texted back, letting a tiny smile curve her lips. She saw Alexander already getting in the car and quickly caught up.

She slipped into the backseat beside him, looping her arm through his. “I’m a little hungry, Alex. Can we get something to eat?”

Alexander turned to look at her. His whole presence was so cold and powerful it made Camila shrink back. She let her voice trail off and finally just stayed quiet.

“You really think I don’t know what you did back there?” His voice was ice. Every word cut straight through her.

Moments earlier, Alexander had come down from the second floor of the banquet hall. He’d seen everything—Camila stepping on the corner of Natalie’s dress, the fabric pooling on the floor, Natalie’s face going pale as her dress slipped. Alexander had wanted to cross the distance and cover her with his own jacket. He was too far. Then, out of the corner of his eye, he spotted the light switch. He flicked it off and started toward her. By the time the lights came back on, Samuel Thompson was already by Natalie’s side, his jacket wrapped around her.

Camila swallowed hard, her voice shaking. “I... I...”

Natalie’s words echoed in her mind again. He never went outside for air.

Resentment and hurt gave Camila a last push. “Then where were you? Were you really getting air? Or were you with her? I love you so much, and you treat me like this!”

There were still a lot of important collectors around, and Samuel was the host. He couldn’t leave early. Just then, Mr. Main from The Concord Initiative hurried up, beaming. “Ms. Watson, Mr. Thompson, thank you both for getting such a great price for my collection. My mountain resort opens this weekend. I’d love for you both to come. I even have a few more pieces I’d like you to see.”

“I’m free, but it’s up to Ms. Watson,” Samuel said, turning to her.

Natalie couldn’t see a reason to refuse, especially with such a warm invitation, so she nodded.

Later that night, Natalie drove into the underground parking garage of her apartment building. As she turned the corner, she spotted a familiar Maybach parked right beside her spot.

Alexander Ramirez.

He’d left with Camila White. So why was he here?

Natalie’s first instinct was to back out and leave. She had no interest in seeing him again. Just as she was about to shift into reverse, Alexander stepped out of his car and looked straight at her.