I Refuse to Be Your Second Choice novel Chapter 296

Alexander stood there in silence for a moment. “The baby is gone.”

The words barely left his lips before Camila’s tears burst free. Everything inside her seemed to shatter. Her quiet crying turned into deep, aching sobs.

“Alex, I’m so sorry…” Camila’s voice trembled. Her eyes were filled with pain and guilt. “This is all my fault. I didn’t protect our baby… I shouldn’t have tried to patch things up with Natalie. I was stupid to think we could be friends. If I hadn’t… maybe our baby would still be here…”

Alexander watched her from the edge of the bed, his brow tight with worry. Seeing her fall apart like this, he moved closer and spoke softly. “Don’t cry. This isn’t your fault.”

Camila melted into his arms, clinging to him and sobbing even harder. Savannah, standing nearby, felt her own chest twist with worry. She tried to comfort Camila.

“Camila, don’t blame yourself. Alexander isn’t just going to let this slide. That woman got hurt too, but Alexander wouldn’t let her stay at Ramirez Hospital. He made her leave. He stood up for you.”

Camila looked up at Alexander, her eyes red and swollen. “Is that true, Alex?” Her voice was barely more than a whisper.

Alexander took a long moment, then nodded. “Yes.”

Camila pressed her face into his chest again. For a split second, a sly little smile flickered at the corner of her mouth, but it vanished beneath another wave of tears. “I’m so sorry, Alex. I know this puts you in a tough spot. It’s just… our poor baby never even got a chance to call us mom or dad. It’s not fair. Just like that… gone…”

Alexander gently rubbed her back. “I’ll take care of it. Don’t worry.”

“Okay.” Camila’s voice was soft, and for a moment, her lips curled into a cold, satisfied smile, quickly hidden by more tears.

—

“Yes, Nora.”

When Anne left, Natalie thought it over, then picked up her phone and called Mr. Gates at Ethereal Springs, hoping to get a straightforward answer.

“Ms. Watson, since we’ve worked together so many times, I’ll be honest with you,” Mr. Gates said, sounding apologetic. “Did you somehow cross the Ramirez Group? They told us to cut all ties with Billy Firth.”

He sounded almost helpless. “You know we can’t afford to get on the wrong side of the Ramirez Group. My hands are tied. They said they’d cover the penalty fees, so what choice do I have?”

After the call ended, Natalie sat there gripping her phone. She thought maybe something had happened with Billy Firth, but it turned out Alexander was the one pulling the strings.