I Refuse to Be Your Second Choice novel Chapter 288

“You’ve been meeting up with Alex behind my back. Did you really think I wouldn’t find out?”

Camila’s words hit Natalie like a slap, bringing back the memory of that day in the hotel hallway, when she’d bumped into Alexander. She frowned, her patience wearing thin. “You’ve got it wrong. I haven’t seen him in secret, and I don’t plan on seeing him ever again,” she replied, her voice turning cold.

Camila wouldn’t let up. Her eyes were sharp and unkind. “Natalie Watson, I’m not stupid. Do you really expect me to believe you?”

She gave a cold laugh, her gaze narrowing. “Unless Alex starts to hate you, unless he can’t even stand the sight of you, I’ll never feel at ease.”

Natalie just stared at her, trying to figure out what she was really getting at. Before she could say anything, Camila’s attention shifted to something behind Natalie, and a strange, twisted smile curled on her lips.

“Please, I’m begging you—stop chasing Alexander,” Camila said suddenly, her voice rising with a hint of a sob. “My baby and I would be so grateful…”

Natalie was caught off guard. “Camila, what are you—”

Before she could even finish, Camila grabbed her wrist and yanked her forward, hard. Natalie stumbled, completely thrown off balance.

Camila let out a scream. Using Natalie’s momentum, Camila threw herself backwards while pulling Natalie with her. They both tumbled down the stairs in a chaotic blur.

The world spun wildly as Natalie crashed against the hard edges of the steps. She landed with a sharp bang against a stone pillar, pain shooting through her body. Her head smacked a step, everything went black for a moment, and she nearly passed out.

Not far away, Camila lay sprawled out, her forehead cut open, blood running down her pale cheek. She looked completely wrecked.

The noise drew people from all around. Guests and waiters rushed over, crowding around the scene. When they saw who it was—Alexander Ramirez’s fiancée and Billy Firth’s vice president—everyone knew this was serious.

Someone ran off to call for help.

The whole group froze. Alexander’s face tightened for a moment, then turned hard and cold. He looked at Natalie, his eyes full of accusation. “What did you do to her?”

Natalie stared at him in disbelief, shaking her head desperately. “It wasn’t me…”

“Alex, my stomach… it hurts so much… our baby…” Camila’s voice trembled, her face growing even paler, her fear obvious.

Without hesitating, Alexander scooped Camila into his arms and yelled at Aaron Lee, “Call an ambulance!”

“It’s already on the way, Mr. Ramirez.”

Alexander didn’t wait. He carried Camila straight out toward the exit, never once looking back at Natalie.