I Refuse to Be Your Second Choice novel Chapter 283

Arianna pulled the door open and walked out without a word or a backward glance.

Bruce just stood there, watching her leave until she disappeared. He felt a wave of emptiness, something he couldn’t quite name. Rubbing his forehead, he muttered under his breath, “Keep my distance… Yeah, right. Like I even want to.”

Two weeks later, Natalie Watson was finally back from London. She had just settled into the company car at the airport when her phone rang. It was Arianna, already making plans for a welcome-back dinner.

“Alright, see you tonight,” Natalie replied.

After work, Arianna left The Thompson Group building, phone in hand, ready to call Natalie and say she’d pick her up. Just as she raised her phone, she spotted Natalie by a car up ahead, waving with a grin.

“Well, look at that. You actually finished work before me for once,” Arianna called as she walked over, giving Natalie a quick once-over. Natalie's hair was in loose, glossy waves, and her makeup was light but made her look even more put together. She was dressed in her usual work clothes, but there was something different about her, something that caught the eye.

Noticing Arianna staring, Natalie motioned for her to get in the car. “What? Do I have something on my face?” She laughed, touching her cheek.

“Did you meet someone in London?” Arianna asked, squinting at her suspiciously as she played with her chin. Natalie looked positively radiant, her skin bright with a healthy pink glow, not the kind you get from blush but something real. She had this energy that made people turn and stare as they walked past.

“Oh, please, I barely had time to breathe,” Natalie shot back with a roll of her eyes, glancing at the road ahead.

“But this place had the best sea prawns flown in from Frostford today. I even called the manager to save two for us. Would be a shame to miss out,” Natalie said with a soft smile. Her mood didn’t seem shaken at all. And honestly, it wasn’t like they could avoid these people forever; everyone lived in Cabinda. Sooner or later, their paths would cross. No need to dodge them.

Still, Arianna looked seriously upset. Natalie could tell it wasn’t just Alexander and Camila getting to her. She glanced over and caught Bruce watching Arianna, his gaze never leaving her.

The restaurant manager hurried out to greet Alexander’s group and led them inside.

“Come on,” Natalie said, nudging Arianna. “Let’s go eat.”