I Refuse to Be Your Second Choice novel Chapter 300

When Natalie heard those words, it felt like her heart had been dropped in ice water. Alexander had already moved ahead of her, shutting down every path she could take.

By the time her last call ended, her throat was dry and scratchy. Only four or five sellers were still willing to work with her, which was nowhere near enough to fill an auction. The big day was tomorrow, and she barely had any items to offer. Natalie pressed her lips together, worry lining her face.

It was already getting dark. She hadn’t bothered turning on the lights, so her apartment was shadowy and still. Eventually, she forced herself up, grabbed her bag, and limped toward the door.

If Alexander wouldn’t pick up his phone, she’d go straight to him. She’d find him at The Ramirez Group, no matter what.

She had just reached the front of the building and was about to go inside when Alexander walked out. That saved her a trip upstairs. Natalie moved forward, careful on her injured leg, but stopped short when she saw he wasn’t alone. Camila White was right there at his side.

Camila looked as pale as ever, dressed warmer than she needed to be, a soft scarf tucked around her neck. She looked delicate and gentle, almost heartbreakingly beautiful.

At the door, Alexander paused and adjusted Camila’s scarf for her. His touch was gentle, almost reverent, like she was something fragile and precious.

“You just got out of the hospital. You should be resting at home,” Alexander said, his voice deep and a little stern, but there was unmistakable affection there too.

Camila tilted her head up and smiled at him, her tone a little teasing. “It’s just too boring at home. I wanted to see you… Besides, the doctor said it’s good for me to get out a bit. I’ll be fine, really.”

Alexander sighed, half exasperated, but squeezed her hand. “You always know how to win an argument.”

They looked so natural together, like a couple who’d been in love for years.

Natalie was standing a little distance away, watching. She lowered her gaze. She didn’t exactly feel hurt. Just hollow, like something inside her had gone missing.

“By the way, Alex, I heard Billy Firth is having an auction tomorrow…” Camila’s soft voice carried over.

Nothing she said would matter now. Alexander was set on ruining her, and there was nothing she could do.

Natalie turned around and started walking, her limp more pronounced in the cold wind. The gusts whipped her hair and seemed to scatter the last of her hope.

By the time she made it home, her body felt heavy and her injured leg throbbed, but it was like she couldn’t feel anything at all.

She was just stepping out of the elevator when someone called her name.

“Natalie, where have you been?”

She looked up and saw Samuel Thompson waiting by her door, as if he’d been there the whole time.