I Refuse to Be Your Second Choice novel Chapter 267

Alexander used to want Natalie to trust him. He never wanted her to get the wrong idea about anything. But now, after the paternity test, everything he said before just felt like a bad joke. Was there even any misunderstanding left? The child was his. There was nothing else to say.

There was a gap between them now, one he knew he could never cross. All he could do was help her quietly, in whatever little ways he could.

“When you get the properties back, have her sign another contract. Slip the deed for the northern suburbs land in with the rest of the paperwork,” Alexander told Bruce. If he handed it to Natalie outright, she’d definitely refuse.

“Just say it’s proof that everything’s settled. She won’t bother checking too closely.”

Bruce shook his head. “You need written proof to show things are over? What do you think she’ll make of that? You’re really not giving yourself any chance to fix things.”

Written proof was just a way to cover themselves, a safety net in case one of them ever tried to deny what happened.

When Bruce showed up with the contract and handed it to Natalie, he watched her carefully, searching her face for any reaction.

The contract was thicker than usual. There were details about the west side property, the south side, even the company shares. Every item had its own section.

Natalie barely glanced up as she flipped through the first few pages. Then she picked up a pen, turned straight to the last page, signed her name, and handed it back.

“You’re not mad?” Bruce asked.

Natalie’s voice was calm, almost cold. She set the pen down and stood. “It’s really no different than writing an IOU. It’s just about protecting yourself, making sure there’s no confusion later.”

“He doesn’t trust you, but you’re still making excuses for him?”

Bruce looked surprised. Natalie gave a small smile. “I’m not making excuses. I’m just being realistic. We don’t have any relationship left—why would he trust me?”

She walked toward the door, saying she had a meeting and couldn’t see him out.

“It’s alright. Go ahead.”

She called Eric Bailey right away. “Find out who that woman with Alexander Ramirez is.”

“Try not to get upset. Think about the baby,” Eric said gently over the phone.

“How can you say that now? If it wasn’t for marrying into the Ramirez family, I wouldn’t even have—”

Camila caught herself just in time, almost letting her real thoughts slip. She quickly changed her tone.

“Eric, I’m so close. Can you please help me one more time?”

There was a long pause before Eric finally answered.

“Camila, what are you going to do when the baby is born and the Ramirez family realizes he doesn’t look like one of them?”