I Refuse to Be Your Second Choice novel Chapter 82

Anyone could see that Charlotte had sent Hazel up to investigate. One visit was unlikely to be enough to reassure her. Hazel might even come back again.

Alexander paused for a few seconds, then turned and walked back toward Natalie.

She looked up at him, her long, dark hair cascading over her shoulders. The light summer nightgown she wore—one she’d left here years ago—clung to her body, hinting at the curves beneath.

Clad in dark blue silk pajamas, Alexander leaned down slightly, a faint smile playing on his lips. "You want me to stay?"

His warm breath was close, his dark eyes intense and magnetic. His deep voice was a soft caress by her ear.

Natalie's cheeks flushed. She averted her gaze and pulled the comforter up higher, wrapping it around herself.

"I'm just worried Hazel might come back. Since you don't seem concerned, I have nothing to worry about either. You can go now. I need to sleep."

She immediately lay down, burrowing under the covers and turning her back to him.

Alexander’s lips curved into a silent smile.

Natalie listened intently for any movement behind her, her hands clutching the edge of the comforter.

"Don't worry," he said. "If Hazel comes back, I'll just tell her that if Grandma wants us to have a baby soon, she should stop interrupting us."

Natalie's back went rigid. She flipped over to face him, but he was already at the door. "If you say that, you'll just get her hopes up! You know we're not going to have a child."

Alexander didn't turn around, only glancing back slightly. "Do you have a better idea?"

Her options were to either let him sleep in the bed with her or go with his plan. Natalie wanted neither.

When she didn't answer, a mocking tone entered his voice. "You can't have it both ways. This was never real to begin with, and sooner or later, Grandma will find out the truth. It's all a lie, so why bother splitting hairs over the details?"

With that, he closed the door to the sitting area behind him.

Staring at the closed door, Natalie remained silent for a long time.

Alexander tossed the pillow onto the sofa and walked out onto the balcony, his expression grim. Natalie's words echoed in his mind: "You know we're not going to have a child."

Alexander stood up, and just as he was about to speak, he sneezed.

"Are you coming down with a cold?" Natalie asked, looking at him skeptically.

So much for not being frail.

Reading her doubtful expression, Alexander raised an eyebrow. "Does a sneeze automatically mean I have a cold?"

So stubborn.

Natalie couldn't be bothered to argue. "If you're fine, then let's go downstairs. We shouldn't keep the family waiting."

When they arrived at the dining room, Gabriel, Savannah, and Charlotte were already seated at the table.

"I'm so sorry, I overslept," Natalie apologized.

Savannah shot her a look. "You're not new to this family. Have you forgotten the rules of this house?"