I Refuse to Be Your Second Choice novel Chapter 225

“Guilty conscience?”

Natalie had barely taken two steps before Alexander’s voice drifted over from behind her, low and almost teasing.

She let out a quiet sigh and turned around to face him.

He was still dressed in his suit, every detail in place, hair styled to perfection just like earlier in the day. His dark eyes were deep, unreadable, with that familiar spark of amusement and a trace of mockery.

Natalie’s eyes were clear and bright under the moonlight, almost like a lake catching the stars. Her voice was even, a little cool. “Shouldn’t you be enjoying your romantic evening, Mr. Ramirez? Did you really come all this way just to poke fun at me?”

Alexander frowned. “How am I the one who appeared out of nowhere? You’re the one who turned up here.”

He hadn’t gone back to the room Mr. Main had prepared for him. With an overseas acquisition coming up, there were back-to-back meetings, and he’d specifically asked for a quiet office where he wouldn’t be disturbed. He’d stayed there the whole time.

When the meetings finally ended, he thought about Camila waiting in the room and decided not to go back. He needed some air, then planned to return to the office to go over the acquisition documents. He wandered over to the gazebo, found the night view surprisingly nice, and paused for a moment just to take it in.

That’s when he heard the soft sound of footsteps behind him. He recognized Natalie’s tread right away, so he didn’t turn, just waited for her to catch up. But then her footsteps faded. Curious, Alexander glanced back and saw Natalie tiptoeing away.

Natalie didn’t want to argue. “Then I’ll leave you to enjoy the night.”

She started walking away again, but suddenly she heard quick footsteps behind her and felt a firm hand wrap around her arm.

“Why do you always have to go against me?” Alexander’s voice was tense, his eyes locked on hers, all frustration and impatience. “Samuel Thompson is only interested in you to get at me. He doesn’t really care about you.”

Natalie yanked her arm free. She let out a short laugh. “And who are you to give me advice?” she shot back. “Whatever kind of person Samuel is and however he treats me, that’s my business. Alexander, your fiancée is waiting for you.”

He’d walked out of another woman’s bed only to tell her she couldn’t see other men. His possessiveness was suffocating. She wasn’t his wife anymore.

Natalie turned away, angry, but her foot twisted suddenly, sending a sharp jolt of pain up her leg.

“Are you really that afraid of being seen with me?” His tone was teasing, but there was something sharp underneath.

“Shouldn’t you be worried about people getting the wrong idea?” Natalie shot back. Especially since he’d just come from Camila’s bed. Just thinking about it made her squirm, and she struggled again to get down.

“I’m not worried,” Alexander replied, his voice calm and steady.

Of course he wasn’t. No one would dare say anything to his face. But she wasn’t him. She’d be the one everyone whispered about, the one they called the other woman.

He kept his grip steady, not letting her go. The lights ahead grew brighter, more people were around, and Natalie’s voice trembled as she pleaded, “Please, just put me down. I’m begging you…”

Alexander’s brows drew together. He hated letting her go. Part of him wanted to hold her like this forever. But finally, he lowered her gently to the ground.

Just as he was feeling the empty space where she’d been, Natalie suddenly turned and leaned into his arms.