I Refuse to Be Your Second Choice novel Chapter 87

Eugene suddenly spotted Natalie standing in the doorway.

Seeing his uncle look past him, Alexander turned as well.

As both men stared at her, Natalie limped forward and took the flash drive from Eugene's hand.

"Thank you for the trouble. I'll look at this shortly."

Her voice was as calm and undisturbed as a placid sea. After speaking, she turned and walked back into the room.

The sound of footsteps followed her inside.

"Do you want your wound to reopen?" Alexander asked, moving to lift her again, but she sidestepped him.

Without a word, Natalie took out her laptop and sat down on the sofa.

"Are you trying to pick a fight with me here? Don't forget the terms you agreed to," Alexander reminded her.

Natalie's fingers moved across the trackpad as she focused on the files from the flash drive. "I'm not coming back tomorrow," she said, her eyes glued to the screen. "I agreed to play a part for you, but that agreement didn't include living together."

Alexander's lips curled into a smile that didn't reach his eyes. "You see Eugene Ramirez once and suddenly change your mind? Don't forget, you're still Mrs. Ramirez. As long as we're not divorced, you and he have no future."

Natalie's hand froze. She closed her eyes for a moment, her voice cold and strained with forbearance. "I don't know what kind of person you think I am. But while you're busy pointing fingers, have you ever stopped to consider your own actions?"

"There is nothing between me and Eugene, yet you see it as something sordid. What about you and Camila White? What is your relationship? Don't bother explaining, because it's no longer necessary."

"Whether you believe me or not doesn't matter to me anymore. We have a business arrangement, nothing more. In one month, that arrangement ends. I hope we can get through it without any more trouble."

Clutching her laptop, Natalie rose and walked past Alexander into the inner bedroom, closing the door behind her.

Leaning against the door, Natalie took a deep, steadying breath. After a moment of silence, she sat on the edge of the bed and turned her attention back to the laptop screen. At the same time, she heard the main bedroom door close.

The entire suite fell silent.

From downstairs, Savannah's voice drifted up. "Where are you going so late?"

During the three years Natalie was gone, Bruce had watched Alexander become cold and merciless toward everyone, his moods unpredictable. He had earned a reputation in the business world for being decisive and ruthless, showing no mercy to his competitors. During that time, the Ramirez Group had acquired three major companies in a row, further cementing Alexander's formidable reputation.

Bruce had thought that was the real Alexander.

But then Natalie Watson reappeared in Cabinda, and he reverted to being the reckless, devil-may-care Mr. Ramirez, focusing all his attention on that one woman.

Bruce was beginning to wonder who truly held Alexander's heart.

Alexander finished another glass.

He leaned back against the sofa, his eyes half-closed as he looked at Bruce, a ghost of a smile on his lips. "Have I ever had regrets?"

As he spoke, he pulled two tickets from his coat and tossed them onto the table.

"These are useless now. They're yours."