Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart

Chapter 6

Stumbling back with a forceful shove from Graham, Natalia clutched her belly protectively. shooting him a glare that could shatter glass.

“Graham, don’t you ever fear karma will come knocking?”

“The biggest karma of my life was crossing paths with your mom and you!” he spat back venomously.

Trembling with fury, Natalia took a deep breath, trying to quell the throbbing in her belly.

She quickly dialed Scarlett’s number to ask for her help.

“It’s probably the stress causing the pain. Find a place to sit down and try to relax. If it doesn’t get better soon, head straight to the hospital.”

After hanging up, Natalia inhaled deeply, working to steady her swirling emotions.

Sitting on a nearby bench, the pain gradually subsided. When her stomach finally settled, she allowed herself a small sigh of relief. She checked on her mother before leaving, and reminded the caregiver once more.

“If Graham shows up again, please call me right away.”

The caregiver nodded earnestly, “Of course.”

Leaving the hospital behind, Natalia headed straight back to the office. The resignation letter sat untouched on her desk, but she didn’t have the heart to deal with it.

Tucking the letter into a drawer, she hesitated before picking up the phone and making another call.

Alden was clearly surprised to hear from her. “Ms. Jenkins, what a surprise! To what do I owe the pleasure?”

There was a moment of silence before Natalia spoke, “Alden, I’m in a bit of a bind. Could I possibly borrow some money from you?”

Sitting in his brother Hamilton’s office, Alden glanced over at the man who ‘seemed to anticipate every move in this chess game called life.

“Ms. Jenkins, I’m really sorry. But you might not know this – my big brother cut off my credit cards because of last night’s incident. I’ve been living off leftovers since then.”

A heavy weight seemed to settle in Natalia’s chest. After a brief pause, she simply said, “I’m sorry to have bothered you.”

Feeling guilty, Alden suggested, “Maybe you could wait a few days? I reckon my brother will cool off soon.”

“There’s no need, thank you,” Natalia replied before ending the call.

Alden looked at Hamilton, who was meticulously reviewing contracts, and ventured, “Bro, are you really going to let Graham mess with her like this?”

eyes lifted, cold as winter Ice.

his head quickly he

suffer because of Graham. After all, she is your woman.”

she didn’t take it. If she suffers, she has only

Alden. His brother’s heart was indeed stony.

he was

way.

Hamilton’s crowd of fair–weather friends was no good. Alden was the only on she was somewhat

desperate enough to ask

a deep breath to calm her frazzled nerves, Natalia returned to her tasks.

a document. “Boss, the final version of the new product’s marketing plan is ready. You’ll need Mr. Fowler’s signature. The secretary mentioned you haven’t processed your resignation yet, so it’s still your

leave

marketing plan and made her way to the

She knocked twice and a

looked up with a flicker of interest. “Ms. Jenkins hasn’t

came up today. I’ll

it soon. Don’t hold up the new manager’s

placing the marketing plan before him. “Here’s the new product plan. Please review

his time examining the document

stood waiting as

and handed the

say something more but then

there anything else, Ms. Jenkins?”

14:20

Chapter 6

“No, that’s all.‘

door on your way

that, Hamilton dove back

sudden urge to ask Hamilton for help moments ago but quickly dismissing it. The thought of

refocus. After work, she called Lionel, the

situation, she asked, “Lionel, could

under extortion. He’s your legal father, and you have a duty to provide for him. If he claims it’s just for support, you wouldn’t have much of a case, at best a reprimand. I fear he might retaliate.”

sank further. “Is there

for divorce on behalf of your mother, but it’s a

softly, Natalia realized the bitter truth. She was trapped in Graham’s

couldn’t be more help.”