I Refuse to Be Your Second Choice novel Chapter 231

Camila caught the whispers swirling by the doorway and let a sly smile tug at her lips. This was exactly what she wanted. If she played her cards right, Natalie Watson’s reputation would be trashed, and maybe then she’d finally be forced to leave Cabinda for good.

Natalie set the porcelain vase down on the table, her eyes shining with a cold, mocking glint. “I’ve never chased after your fiancé. And I don’t have a thing for other people’s husbands, unlike some people I could mention. Camila, do you really want me to tell everyone how you got into the Ramirez family?”

Everyone knew Camila had gotten pregnant with a Ramirez baby while Alexander was still married. If that news ever got out, not even the Ramirez name could keep people from talking.

Camila’s face went pale. Her lips parted, then closed, but she couldn’t seem to get any words out.

“Camila’s with the Ramirez family because Alex loves her,” Isabella said, raising her voice so everyone nearby could hear. Then she leaned in, her words sharp and meant just for the three of them. “Not like you. You were married to Alex for six years, but who even knew? He never made your marriage public. He never acknowledged you at all.”

Three years ago, those words would have gutted Natalie. Now, they barely scratched the surface. Maybe it was true what they said about wounds—if you picked at them long enough, eventually you just stopped feeling anything.

Natalie let out a short, bitter laugh. “If that’s really true, then why are you all here looking for him? Doesn’t that sound a little desperate?”

Isabella didn’t miss a beat. “Because you left your room last night, and right after, Alex left Camila’s. Someone saw you together. Who else are we supposed to question?”

Natalie thought back to the night before. She hadn’t noticed anyone following her, and she only ran into Alexander by chance. But Isabella’s words made her pause. Had someone from that group recognized her and Alexander? She couldn’t deny it completely. But one thing was for sure—Alexander had not spent the night in her room.

Natalie opened her mouth to defend herself, but just then, a voice from the doorway broke the tension.

“Looks like things are pretty exciting in here, Ms. Watson.”

“Alex, we’re here for you,” Isabella said, trying to sound bold.

“For me?” Alexander still didn’t look away from Camila. His lips curled into a slow, unsettling smile. “Didn’t I say last night I wouldn’t be coming back? I had meetings all night. If you needed something, you should have gone to Aaron.”

Natalie’s heart skipped a beat. So Alexander hadn’t been with Camila last night. Then what was that noise she heard?

Camila trembled. She used to dream of being the center of Alexander’s world. Now, with his cold gaze fixed on her, she wished she could disappear. His eyes felt like they could cut straight through her.

He turned to her, his voice calm but deadly. “Did I hear you say I went out in the middle of the night?”