I Refuse to Be Your Second Choice novel Chapter 79

“I’m lying in this bed pretending to be sick just to get them back together, and you’re handing them divorce papers!” Charlotte was so angry she had her hands on her hips, her secret now out in the open.

Eugene was shocked. “You’re faking it?” His tone turned serious. “Mom, you shouldn’t joke about your health like this. Do you have any idea how worried we were?”

He had an important court case that day, but he had dropped everything when he got the call about her collapse, handing the case over to his partner. He had sped to the hospital, his mind racing with grim possibilities, only to find out it was all a ruse.

“What choice did I have?” Charlotte retorted, dismissing his anger. “Dr. Main is the only one who knows the truth. You are not to breathe a word of this to anyone.”

“You’re disregarding Natalie’s wishes,” Eugene said with a sigh.

“If they truly had no feelings for each other, I would be the first to support their divorce. But they’re just lost and confused.” She could clearly see they still loved each other; she just didn’t know what had happened to drive them apart.

This floor of the hospital was reserved for her, and the hallway was so quiet you could hear the elevator doors open down the hall.

“Quick, Natalie’s coming back,” Charlotte whispered, motioning for Eugene to hand her the pillow.

The sound of high heels grew closer.

In a flash, the pillow was back in place, Charlotte was lying down, and the covers were pulled up. The entire sequence was executed with impressive speed.

Eugene shook his head with a resigned sigh.

Charlotte shot him a warning glare. As the door opened, her expression instantly shifted back to one of frail weakness. “Natalie… you’re… you’re back…”

-

A week later, Charlotte was still in the hospital. Natalie came to visit every day after work, as did Alexander, who had cleared his entire schedule of evening appointments.

Charlotte seemed to be in much better spirits than before. She began complaining about the hospital, insisting that she didn’t want to spend her final days in such a cold, sterile place.

Not wanting to upset her, they consulted Dr. Main.

“Charlotte’s condition is heavily influenced by her emotional state,” the doctor advised. “As long as she remains calm and happy, her health will improve. It’s like with cancer patients—a positive outlook can sometimes lead to miraculous results.”

And so, Charlotte was discharged.

Gabriel offered to come and pick her up.

“No need,” Charlotte said, holding onto Natalie and Alexander’s arms. “I have them to take me home. That’s all I need.”

“A movie theater with half-empty rows, until the lights come on at the very end… I’ve walked in the wind that once touched your face, does that mean we’ve shared an embrace…”

Natalie frowned. Why were all the songs about love? And sad love, at that. The timing was a little too perfect.

She went to skip again, determined not to listen to this kind of music while trapped in a car with Alexander.

“Do these songs offend you personally?” Alexander glanced at her. “Can’t you let a single one play all the way through?”

“I don’t like them.”

“I think they’re fine.”

He kept his eyes on the road. “You constantly changing the song is distracting me while I’m driving.”

Natalie was speechless. She gave up and didn't touch the music again.

When they arrived at The Ramirez Estate, Charlotte insisted that Natalie stay and have dinner with them.

“It’s getting late,” Charlotte announced after the meal. “You and Alexander will just stay here for the night.”