I Refuse to Be Your Second Choice novel Chapter 301

“Your leg’s still not better. Why aren’t you at home resting?”

Samuel came over, gently taking her arm and guiding her toward the door.

Once inside, Natalie finally spoke up. “I went to see Alexander Ramirez.”

Samuel didn’t look surprised at all. He helped her over to the sofa and then disappeared into the kitchen. When he came back, he handed her a glass of steaming water. He must have noticed how cold her hands felt when he touched her.

“Here, drink some,” he said softly. “Warm up a little.”

Natalie realized she really was cold. She sipped the water slowly, feeling the heat spread through her fingers and down into her chest, chasing away some of the chill.

When she seemed a bit more settled, Samuel asked, “Did he agree?”

He didn’t have to spell it out. They both knew why she had gone to see Alexander.

Natalie’s mind flashed back to what she’d seen earlier. She shook her head and answered quietly, “I didn’t ask him directly. But I already know his answer.”

The sadness in her voice was hard to miss. Samuel watched her, trying to make sense of everything. Alexander’s attitude had changed so drastically, it didn’t add up. How could he just assume she’d pushed Camila at the vineyard, without even bothering to find out what really happened? That wasn’t like the Alexander he thought he knew.

If Alexander could be so quick to judge, maybe he wasn’t worthy of being called a rival. Even if a pet lashed out, you’d ask why before blaming it. And this was someone he used to love, not just a pet.

Samuel stayed quiet, lost in thought.

Natalie finished her water, then remembered why she’d thought Samuel had come. She set the empty glass on the table and looked up.

Natalie’s eyes burned suddenly, filling with tears.

“Samuel, I know I keep saying thank you, but I really mean it. I can’t tell you how much this means to me…”

When she looked up at him, gratitude filled her gaze. She couldn’t find the words to explain how much his support meant. From that night in the hospital until now, Samuel had always been there for her, never asking for anything in return. She had no idea how she could ever repay him.

Samuel just smiled. “And I keep telling you, we’re friends. You don’t have to thank me.”

Natalie thought back to what Arianna had said about Samuel. Maybe he liked her. She remembered that first time they met, how he’d joked about her being his girlfriend. Back then, it was obviously a joke. But now, with everything he’d done, she couldn’t ignore the possibility. She didn’t want him to think his efforts were wasted, or that she was taking advantage of his feelings.

“I… I don’t think I can return your feelings,” she said softly.