I Refuse to Be Your Second Choice novel Chapter 232

Camila looked like she’d seen a ghost, her face pale as paper. Last night, after Mr. Main had finished sorting out the rooms, she’d been so sure that everything was finally going her way. She pictured Alexander walking through her door, maybe smiling at her for once. But all he did was say he had meetings all night. He never even knocked.

She’d stewed about it for hours. Then this morning, Isabella showed up, buzzing with gossip. Apparently, someone had spotted Alexander with Natalie the night before. Camila didn’t even hesitate. She told Isabella that Alexander had been with her, but then left when he heard Natalie go out. It was a lie, but Isabella always believed whatever she said. Camila figured Isabella would do her dirty work for her, maybe humble Natalie a little.

Before coming over, Camila had even double-checked with one of the staff. Alexander was still in the private lounge Mr. Main had set up, which was far enough away that he couldn’t possibly hear anything or show up by surprise. Or so she thought. But now, here he was, right in the middle of it all.

Camila’s lashes lowered as she spoke, voice shaking. “I just… I was worried when you didn’t come back last night, so I came to ask Natalie about it.”

Isabella frowned, looking confused. “Wait, didn’t you say Alex left because he heard Natalie go out?”

“Yeah, I… I guess I got it mixed up. I didn’t sleep much last night, so my memory’s a mess,” Camila said, forcing a laugh. It sounded pretty weak. Even a kid wouldn’t buy it.

Isabella’s face changed, but she didn’t push it.

Then Natalie glanced over at the wall by her bed. “Ms. White isn’t confused. She’s lying. I can prove Mr. Ramirez was in her room for at least part of the night. Otherwise, what were those noises I heard?”

Everyone’s eyes followed her gaze to the wall behind the bed. Anyone who’d stayed here before knew the setup. The beds in these rooms lined up head-to-head, just a wall between them. If Natalie heard something, it wasn’t hard to guess what it was.

Camila’s voice shot up, panic clear in every word. “No, I’m not lying! I was alone all night, I swear! If you don’t believe me, Mr. Main can check the cameras. Nobody came in or out of my room last night.”

Natalie just went quiet. She’d made her point. If Alexander wasn’t there, then who made those noises?

Alexander was there now, sitting on the sofa, hands stuffed in his pockets. There was a crowd at the door, all hungry for drama.

She caught the way Alexander looked at her, the hint of a smirk, the way his words pressed in on her. Panic clawed up her throat. She wished she could take back everything she’d said and done last night. Everyone was staring. Camila’s hands shook as she pulled out her phone.

A second later, the room filled with embarrassing, unmistakable sounds.

“I just… I just played a recording, that’s all,” she stammered.

She walked to the foot of the bed, gave it a push. The headboard knocked against the wall, thumping dully.

“That’s what Natalie heard,” Camila said quietly. “I only did it a couple times. The bed was wobbly, so I pushed it a bit.”