Chapter 217
The escape plan had completely flopped. Sure, she could have just driven away if she really wanted to, but that would mean never coming back, and that wasn’t an option. Natalie parked her car in the lot, got out, and walked straight past Alexander, pretending not to notice him at all.
Then, out of nowhere, he grabbed her arm.
“About earlier… I’m sorry p>
Natalie turned, startled. Was Alexander Ramirez actually apologizing to her? Maybe he finally realized how out of line he’d been.
“If you stick to our agreement from now on, Mr. Ramirez, I can let tonight slide.” She twisted her wrist, trying to pull free, but he held on easily, not even breaking a sweat.
“I’ll have someone send you a new dress,” he said.
For a second, Natalie was confused. Then it clicked. He knew Camila White had stepped on her dress. He was apologizing for Camila.
Natalie’s chest tightened. She stared at him, her voice icy. “I don’t need it. Maybe you should worry about keeping your own people in check p>
“She’s not my person,” Alexander said right away.
Natalie let out a disbelieving laugh. “She’s pregnant with your child. You two are about to get engaged. And you’re telling me she’s not your person? Alexander, do you even hear yourself? That’s the mother of your child p>
Just saying those words brought back memories she tried so hard to bury—the baby she’d lost.
No matter how much she disliked Camila, the baby was innocent.
“A kid doesn’t get to choose their parents. But you’re still the father. You should do right by him. Give him a real family.” Her voice wavered. She thought about her own child, how he’d been unwanted by his father, how her grief had led to that awful accident, and how he was gone forever.
Regret and sadness filled Natalie’s eyes. Alexander looked at her, completely thrown. Why did she care so much about someone else’s situation?
“That night at Sagebrush Community, Camila and I Alexander wanted to tell her the truth, that he couldn’t remember what happened, that maybe the child wasn’t even his. But what if the test said otherwise? He’d always just pretended the baby wasn’t his, never letting himself imagine what he’d do if it was.
His words faded away. He didn’t want to disappoint Natalie again.
Natalie was lost in her own pain. She didn’t even hear what he’d tried to say. When she finally snapped out of it, she pulled herself together, her voice cold again. “Let go. I’m going home p>
“Don’t get involved with Samuel Thompson,” Alexander said, still holding her wrist.
She stared at him, half laughing out of sheer frustration. “Who are you to me? We’re divorced, Alexander You have no right to tell me what to She wasn’t even seeing Samuel, but even if she was, it was none of Alexander’s business.
She wrenched her hand away. Alexander stepped in front of her, blocking her path.
“Just give me a month. I’ll get to the bottom of this p>
He’d made up his mind. He would arrange for Camila to take a paternity test in one month.
Natalie just looked at him, not really understanding what he meant, and honestly, not caring enough to ask Whatever he was planning, it had nothing to do with her anymore. She gave him one last silent look before walking around him and stepping into the elevator.
The next morning, Natalie had just gotten up when her phone rang. It was Arianna Mitchell.
Arianna’s first question was about the money. She said she was ready to lend it if Natalie still needed it. Natalie told her it was all taken care of.
“Really? You’re not just saying that, are you? If you need anything, you have to tell me,” Arianna insisted, not dropping it.
Natalie felt a rush of gratitude, but her voice stayed light. “I promise, I’m good. And you know I’d never be shy about asking you for help p>
Arianna finally relaxed and changed the subject. “Are you free this morning? Steven Wright’s birthday is coming up and I want to get him something p>
“Sure, let’s meet at the mall p>
“I’ve got nothing else going on. I’ll come pick you up and we’ll go together.” Updates are released by ~net
Once the call ended, Natalie rushed through her morning routine. She’d just finished getting dressed when: the doorbelt rang. Arianna must have made really good time. She hurried over to open the door.
“You got here so p>
She stopped mid-sentence. It wasn’t Arianna standing outside. It was Savannah.