I Refuse to Be Your Second Choice novel Chapter 320

His words cut right through her, sharp and cruel, leaving Natalie raw and aching. Every syllable felt like it stripped something away, until she was left hollow.

Her life meant nothing. That was the truth. She had really believed she mattered, even for a moment. How foolish.

Natalie pressed her teeth into her lip, holding herself together, refusing to cry.

“Alexander Ramirez.” Her voice was steady now, but all the hope was gone. She sounded tired, empty. “Everything you ever told me… it was all a lie, wasn’t it? You never loved me. Not even for a second.”

She wasn’t asking. She already knew.

All those memories, all the sweet words he used to whisper, now just felt ridiculous. She almost laughed at herself.

Alexander looked at her, completely unmoved. His face was stone cold. He gave her one word. “Yes.”

Natalie dropped her gaze and let out a silent, bitter laugh.

“Fine. I get it.” She spoke quietly, but there was a new strength in her eyes when she looked up again. “I’m not giving you anything. Those resources are mine. If you push me, I’ll quit Billy Firth before I let you walk all over me.”

He wanted to break her, but she wasn’t going to make it easy.

“Stubborn,” Alexander snapped. That was all he said. He didn’t bother to look at her again. He turned and walked out, closing the door behind him.

Now she was alone. The fight left her all at once. She curled up tight, hugging herself, trying to keep from falling apart.

In her head, his words kept ringing. Worthless… Yes… Stubborn…

She buried her face in the blanket, trying to block it all out. But then she remembered the dream she’d had earlier. She was in a wedding dress, Alexander smiling softly as he slipped a ring onto her finger, promising her forever.

It had been a dream, but once, it had been real. He had promised her happiness.

Now, the man who’d promised to love her was the same one pushing her into the darkness.

Two days later, Natalie left the hospital.

Arianna Mitchell showed up to drive her home.

“Take me to the office,” Natalie said. She’d missed enough work, and Alexander’s parting words still made her uneasy. She knew he wouldn’t just let it go.

As soon as she got out of the elevator at work, Anne hurried over, looking flustered.

“Nora, I was just about to call you. Something’s happened at the company.”

Natalie’s heart skipped, but she kept her cool. “What happened?”

“That enamel vase we sold at the last auction… when the buyer received it, they said it was a fake.”