I Refuse to Be Your Second Choice novel Chapter 52

Natalie Watson never saw the slap coming.

Her head snapped to the side from the force of the blow.

“Mom! What are you doing?” Alexander Ramirez cried out, immediately pulling Natalie behind him, his expression dangerously cold.

“What am I doing?” Savannah Davis pointed a trembling finger at Natalie. “Three years ago, she left without a word and demanded a divorce. What is she doing back here now? Does she think she can come and go as she pleases? That our family’s door is a revolving one?”

Savannah’s voice rose with indignation. “It was bad enough that she couldn’t give us an heir, but to have the audacity to demand a divorce? The Ramirez family never wronged you! Alexander spent an entire year searching the world for you, and now you just show up again? For what?”

Savannah had been informed the previous night that Natalie was back and would be coming to the estate. The news had stunned her. But remembering the divorce papers Natalie had left behind, a blatant disregard for the Ramirez family, filled her with a simmering rage.

Her anger was compounded by her fervent wish for Camila White to marry into the family, a match that even Charlotte Roberts, the family matriarch, had yet to approve. Natalie’s sudden reappearance felt like a deliberate attempt to sabotage everything.

The more Savannah thought about it, the angrier she became, and she unleashed all her frustration on Natalie.

“I’m sorry,” Natalie said, stepping forward. A faint red handprint was already forming on her pale cheek. “My actions back then were reckless.”

She admitted to herself that she had been impulsive three years ago. Even if her relationship with Alexander was broken, she shouldn’t have left without a word to the family elders.

Savannah sneered. “So, you finally regret it and want to come back? I thought you had more pride than that.”

“No, I don’t regret my decision,” Natalie stated, her voice steady. Alexander glanced at her, his expression unreadable, but she held her chin high, her eyes firm.

“Then what are you doing here? Get out!” Savannah shrieked, her face contorted with fury.

“I’m the one who told Alexander to bring her back!”

A stern voice cut through the tension. Charlotte Roberts, supported by her attendant Hazel, appeared at the doorway, her face set in a grim line as she spoke.

She walked over, leaning on her cane. When she saw the mark on Natalie’s face, her eyes filled with pain and anger.

“Mother, she has no respect for us! Why are you still siding with her?” Savannah protested, her voice shrill. “It’s a miracle their marriage wasn’t widely known, otherwise we would have been the laughingstock of the city three years ago!”

Savannah was furious that Charlotte seemed to be losing her senses, prioritizing Natalie over the family’s reputation.

Hazel had been Charlotte’s personal attendant for decades and was like family to Natalie.

Charlotte shot Hazel a disapproving look. “Don’t you dare blame Natalie.”

“Yes, yes, of course. Natalie is your most precious treasure,” Hazel said with a knowing smile before discreetly fading into the background.

“Grandma, I’m so sorry,” Natalie said, her voice thick with genuine remorse. “I hurt you and let you down.” Of everyone in the Ramirez family, Charlotte had been the kindest to her, and the guilt was a heavy weight.

Charlotte patted her hand, her expression full of affection. “My dear child, I don’t blame you. You must have had your reasons for asking Alexander for a divorce. I’m sure he did something to wrong you.”

Thinking of Alexander and Camila White, Natalie didn’t know what to say. It wasn’t her place to reveal their story. Besides, it was no longer her concern.

“Grandma, I…”

“My child,” Charlotte interrupted gently, “I truly hope you and Alexander can work things out. Can you find it in your heart to give him another chance?”