I Refuse to Be Your Second Choice novel Chapter 221

Natalie stepped out of the elevator and spotted Aaron Lee waiting outside her apartment.

“Ms. Watson.” He smiled politely.

“Aaron, what brings you here this late?” It was already nine. If he was at her door now, it had to be something important.

Aaron pulled something from his pocket and handed it over. She took the small tube from him and glanced at the label. It was ointment for bruises and muscle pain. She blinked, confused for a second, then remembered Savannah’s slap that morning. So Alexander knew.

Honestly, she wasn’t surprised. She’d run into Bruce Ward at lunch, and if Arianna had noticed the mark on her face, Bruce definitely would have too. Natalie touched her cheek, still thinking about how to respond.

“Mr. Ramirez asked me to give this to you. I won’t bother you anymore. Good night, Ms. Watson.”

Aaron never once looked directly at her face, keeping his eyes lowered. He really was Alexander’s right-hand man, always so perceptive.

Later, Natalie stood at her mirror. The finger marks had almost faded. She didn’t need the ointment anymore. She tossed it in her drawer and headed to the bathroom.

At the villa, Camila White sat at the dining table, looking miserable. The maid brought over a bowl of soup and set it down in front of her.

“Ms. White, please have some soup. It’s good for the baby.”

Alexander hadn’t come. What was the point of drinking this soup alone? Annoyed, Camila knocked the bowl onto the floor. Hot soup splashed everywhere, burning her hand.

“Ah!” She stared at her red palm, her anger flaring. She shouted at the maid, “Who told you to bring me soup this hot? Are you trying to burn me, or hurt my baby?”

Eric apologized in a hurry, worried he’d made things worse. Camila soothed him. “I know you called because you miss me, and you forgot what I said. Just promise me you’ll be careful next time, okay? It’s too risky right now. I’ll come see you soon, I promise.”

She spent a few more minutes flattering him, listening to him go on about how much he missed her, then hung up. Camila let out a long sigh. This wasn’t working. She could barely keep up with Alexander and Natalie, let alone handle Eric. He was becoming a real problem. If he didn’t listen, kept calling her or tried to see her… If anyone found out… Or what if Eric suddenly changed his mind and told everyone the baby was his?

Camila’s face darkened. The only secret that’s truly safe is one kept by the dead. But she pushed the thought aside for now.

She picked up her phone again, fixed her expression, and called Savannah. She needed to know if her earlier message had worked.

When Savannah answered, Camila turned on her sweetest voice. “Savannah, let me treat you to afternoon tea.”

Savannah’s reply came sharp and cold. “Afternoon tea? I’m already full, thanks to how mad you made me!”