I Refuse to Be Your Second Choice novel Chapter 246

Emberfall.

For days, Alexander Ramirez had barely slept. Meetings ran back to back, all centered around the acquisition deal, and he was running on less than four hours of sleep each night.

Right after a noon meeting, Alexander stepped into the hallway. Aaron Lee rushed over, his face tense and urgent.

“Mr. Ramirez, Ms. Watson is missing. While you were in the meeting, Mr. Ward called. His team lost her.”

Alexander’s expression turned grim. He checked his watch. “How many more meetings do I have today?”

“We’re in the final phase of the acquisition. There are a few left, but you don’t need to be at all of them,” Aaron replied.

“Alright.” Alexander was already heading for the elevator. “Call the airline. Get the jet ready to leave as soon as possible.”

“Yes, Mr. Ramirez.”

—

Natalie drifted back to consciousness, her mind foggy, head pounding, and vision out of focus.

As things sharpened, dread hit her. She was trapped in a pitch-black, sealed room that reeked of mold and decay. She had no idea how long she’d been out, or if it was day or night outside.

The last thing she remembered was being in the restroom at the coffee shop. A stranger had drugged her.

She tried to sit up, but her wrists and ankles were tied tight. A helpless whimper escaped her lips.

He laughed, harsh and bitter. “A crime? What more can they do to me? I’ve already lost everything. You and Alexander destroyed me, so I’m going to make sure you know how that feels.”

He signaled, and two thugs stepped out of the shadows. One of them was the man who drugged her.

He reached for her clothes, trying to rip them away. Natalie thrashed, shouting, “No, please, don’t! Benjamin, everything that happened to you, you brought on yourself! This is your fault!”

Her screams bounced off the walls as the other man pinned her down, keeping her from moving.

Benjamin watched it all, his smile dark and satisfied. “Go ahead, scream. The louder, the better. I know you’re Alexander Ramirez’s ex-wife, and he’s not even in Cabinda right now. Who’s going to save you?”

“Enjoy it while you can, Natalie Watson.”