I Refuse to Be Your Second Choice novel Chapter 236

Alexander didn’t seem the least bit bothered. He picked up a piece of bamboo shoot and chewed it slowly, like he was tasting something exquisite. When he finally swallowed, he looked up at Natalie with a calm gaze. “Done eating already?”

Was she? Natalie caught the look he gave her, pretending not to know what was going on, and honestly, his shamelessness was starting to wear her out. She shot him a sarcastic smile. “Wow, Mr. Ramirez, you’re really good at reading people, aren’t you?”

She dragged her favorite spicy fish dish even closer, practically guarding it with her life. She was still hungry. Why should she go without just to make a point?

Alexander didn’t get upset. He simply slid the dishes he’d ordered closer to her side. “Look at you, guarding your food like a dragon. Don’t be so stingy. Help yourself to mine.”

Natalie rolled her eyes, as if to say, “Please, like I want any.” But her gaze still wandered over to his side of the table. The crispy ribs caught her attention. She always used to order them when she came here, but she’d skipped them today, worried she’d end up wasting food.

Alexander noticed. He quietly picked up a rib and placed it in her bowl. “If you want something, just eat it. I’m not going to fight you for food.”

Natalie glared at him, tempted to toss the rib right back. The smell was just too tempting, though. No matter how annoyed she was, it was pointless to let it get between her and something delicious. She’d just have one, she told herself.

She ate in silence. Alexander’s lips curled with a faint smile. He had actually asked the owner earlier what Natalie usually liked, so every dish he’d ordered was something she loved.

When she finished the rib, Alexander added a bit of stir-fried pork with dried tofu to her bowl. “I’m leaving for Emberfall tomorrow,” he said. “Got a merger to discuss. I’ll be gone about two weeks. When I get back, I’ll have Camila take a DNA test.”

Natalie forgot all about her plan to eat just one rib. She looked up, startled. “You’re making her do a paternity test?”

Natalie didn’t look away, her eyes locked on his. The restaurant noise faded into the background. He squeezed her hand tightly, but she pulled away with determination.

“I don’t even know what’s true with you anymore, and honestly, I’m tired of trying to figure it out. Why do you get to decide everything about our marriage and divorce? You get to have second thoughts whenever you want?”

She gave a sad little smile. “Alexander, don’t you think us getting together was a mistake from the very beginning? Otherwise, none of this would’ve happened.”

“We’re already divorced. Let’s just move on with our lives.”