I Refuse to Be Your Second Choice novel Chapter 230

Natalie barely slept a wink last night. By the time her eyes finally closed, it was almost morning. She was still groggy when Isabella and Camila barged into her room, snapping her back to reality.

The two of them paced around, sizing up the place like they were searching for something. When Isabella made a beeline for the closet, Natalie cut her off.

“Ms. Ward, don’t you think it’s a little out of line to go through someone’s stuff without asking?” Natalie’s voice was ice cold as she stepped in front of the closet, blocking Isabella’s hand.

Isabella just laughed, all mockery and venom. “You have the nerve to talk to me about morals? You’re the one seducing another woman’s fiancé. Get out of my way!” She brushed Natalie’s hand aside, rough enough that Natalie nearly lost her balance.

Natalie was running on empty. She hadn’t slept, her mind was still reeling from the mess with Steven and Arianna, and her ankle throbbed with every step. Isabella’s shove almost knocked her over, but she managed to catch herself on the edge of the table. When she looked up, Isabella had already yanked open the closet.

“Where’s Alex? Where are you hiding him?” Isabella’s voice was sharp, her frustration boiling over when all she found was a single jacket hanging inside.

“How would I know where he is?” Natalie steadied herself, piecing together why they were here. Alexander must not have come back to Camila’s room last night. Of course, they’d come looking for him here.

Camila’s eyes were red, and her voice shook with tears. “I was with Alexander last night. After you left, he went out too and didn’t come back. Natalie, I get that you don’t want to let go of your marriage, but it’s over. What you’re doing now... it’s just trying to steal someone else’s fiancé…”

Isabella put an arm around Camila, her face full of fake sympathy. “Camila, she’s the other woman. You don’t have to be nice to her.”

Then she spun around and slapped Natalie hard across the face. “Bitch! People saw Alex carrying you home last night. Don’t even try to deny it!”

Natalie tasted blood in her mouth. Without thinking, she raised her own hand and slapped Isabella right back.

Isabella stared at her, stunned. “You... you hit me?” No one had ever dared lay a finger on her, not even as a joke. Last night, when she caught someone cheating, she was the one dishing it out. She never expected Natalie to fight back.

Her words drew even more attention. People in the courtyard stopped what they were doing, curiosity lighting up their faces. This was a gathering of the city’s elite, so every whisper carried weight.

“Isn’t that Ms. Watson from Billy Firth? Is she really trying to steal Ms. White’s fiancé?”

“I can’t believe it. My husband once bought a necklace from her. Now it just feels gross.”

“She looks so sweet. Who’d think she’d be that kind of woman?”

The crowd murmured, their judgment hanging thick in the air.