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?”

as winter Ice. “What, you feel

shook his head quickly he

Ms. Jenkins to suffer because of Graham. After

had a shortcut but she didn’t take it. If she suffers, she has only

His brother’s heart was

stay, he was going about it in such

way.

rubbed her temples. There was no one else who could help her financially. Hamilton’s crowd of fair–weather friends was no good. Alden was the only on she was somewhat close to. If she couldn’t borrow from Alden, she didn’t know who

was Victor, but she wasn’t desperate enough to

breath to calm her frazzled

with a document. “Boss, the final version of the new product’s marketing plan is ready. You’ll need Mr. Fowler’s

nodded. “Just leave

reviewed the marketing plan and made her

She knocked twice and a deep voice

flicker of

bit her lip. “Something came up today. I’ll take care

soon. Don’t hold up the new manager’s appointment.”

the marketing plan before him. “Here’s

took his time examining the document thoroughly, his approach

her, so Natalia stood waiting as he

satisfied, Hamilton signed his name and

hesitated, wanting to say something more but

else, Ms. Jenkins?” Hamilton’s

14:20

Chapter 6

“No, that’s all.‘

door on your

dove back into his work.

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

desk, Natalia tried to refocus. After work, she called Lionel, the attorney who had helped

asked, “Lionel,

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

“Is there

of your mother, but

bitter truth. She was trapped in

be more