The second choice who became his first

Ivanka’s plot

Chapter 8

Nathalie’s POV

Royce continued talking as he drove, saying everything he could to reassure me.

His words didn’t magically fix everything, but they helped.

Maybe that’s what I needed most—a reminder that I wasn’t alone.

When we finally arrived at the house, I turned toward him with a small smile.

“Bye, Roy. I really appreciate everything.”

He smiled warmly.

“Anytime, little sister. Call me if you need anything.”

I waved as he drove away.

I stood there for a moment, watching his car disappear down the driveway.

Then I sighed and walked inside.

The house was unusually quiet.

Most of the servants had already retreated to their rooms, and Zachary still hadn’t returned.

I glanced toward his bedroom.

The lights were off.

He probably isn’t coming home tonight.

For some reason, that thought hurt more than it should have.

I shook my head and went upstairs.

I took a warm shower, completed my nighttime routine, and climbed into bed.

Before sleeping, I picked up my phone.

It had been a while since I had posted anything for my fans. I opened my social media and took a quick selfie.

I was wearing black pajamas, and my hair fell messily over my shoulders.

I smiled at the picture before typing the caption:

A night like this. 🌙

I posted it, placed my phone beside me, and closed my eyes.

Eventually, sleep took over.

⸻

The Next Morning

I woke up feeling strange.

My stomach twisted suddenly.

I sat upright.

“Oh, no…”

I barely made it to the bathroom before the nausea hit.

I leaned over the sink, trying to steady myself.

Morning sickness.

I groaned.

“This is going to be fun.”

A knock suddenly came from my bedroom door.

I wiped my mouth and took a breath.

“Come in.”

The door opened.

My eyes widened.

Ivanka.

She stood there with a sly smile.

“Hey, cousin.”

I immediately became suspicious.

“What do you want, Ivanka?”

She didn’t answer.

Instead, her eyes wandered around my room.

Then she spotted something on my bedside table.

Before I could stop her, she picked it up.

My heart dropped.

Grandma’s diary.

It was the one thing I treasured more than anything.

“What’s this?” she asked casually.

I jumped out of bed.

“Put that down, Ivanka.”

She smiled.

“Why? Is it important?”

“I said put it down.”

She opened it.

My stomach turned.

“Don’t you dare touch it!”

I rushed toward her.

But before I could reach her, she deliberately tore a page from the diary.

My eyes widened.

“Ivanka!”

I slapped the diary out of her hand.

She suddenly stumbled backward.

Then she fell dramatically to the floor.

I froze.

She did that on purpose.

“What the hell is going on here?”

Zachary’s voice came from the doorway.

My heart sank.

I looked at him.

“I didn’t—”

Before I could explain, Ivanka looked up at him with tears in her eyes.

“Zachie…”

She reached for him.

“Please don’t blame my cousin. She didn’t mean to push me.”

I stared at her in disbelief.

What a performance.

Zachary rushed to her side.

He helped her up and turned toward me.

His expression hardened.

“Why are you being so cruel?”

His words hit me harder than I expected.

I stared at him.

I wanted to defend myself.

I wanted to tell him the truth.

But the anger and hurt building inside me made my throat tighten.

I looked at the torn page lying on the floor.

Then at Ivanka.

And finally at Zachary.

For the first time, I realized something painful.

He hadn’t even asked what happened.

He had already chosen whom to believe.

And once again…

I was the second choice.