Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart

Chapter 7

Lounging on the couch with an air of casual ease. Hamilton seemed to be in a pretty good mood.

Beside him sat the woman from the café the day before, her skirt so short it barely reached her thighs.

Natalia glanced at the woman’s legs, pressed against Hamilton’s, before looking away. It seemed she had chosen an inopportune moment to arrive.

The woman’s face darkened at the sight of Natalia, but she held her tongue in Hamilton’s presence.

Hamilton raised an eyebrow at Natalia and asked, “Ms. Jenkins, what brings you here?”

Natalia glanced at the woman again and answered, “Just a small matter.”

Hamilton leaned back and said, “If it’s about resigning, Ms. Jenkins, you can just go to HR.”

Natalia paused, “It’s not about resigning.”

Hamilton chuckled. “Then what is it? I thought the only reason you’d come to me is to resign.”

Ignoring the sarcasm in his voice, Natalia eyed the woman by Hamilton’s side. “I would like to have a word with you alone, Mr. Fowler.”

Hamilton was silent, as if weighing the need for a private conversation.

Natalia was anxious; she knew Hamilton’s temper well. He wouldn’t let things slide easily, not after she had embarrassed him at the Crest Club and insisted on resigning.

As expected, he laughed softly, “Do we really need to talk alone, Ms. Jenkins?”

Natalia’s lips tightened; she took a deep breath and said, “Mr. Fowler, I’ve decided not to resign.”

His expression didn’t change as he asked, “And?”

“I’d like to discuss my future salary with you.

Hamilton crossed his arms, eventually addressing the woman beside him. “Ms. Miller, sorry. let’s discuss our business another time.”

Ms. Miller, shooting Natalia a glare of anger, mustered a smile for Hamilton. “Sure, Mr. Fowler. You handle Ms. Jenkins’s issue first.”

After a resentful look at Natalia, Ms. Miller huffed out.

Once she was gone, Hamilton turned his attention to Natalia.

“How would you like to talk?”

Natalia remained silent, unsure of how to begin. Hamilton seemed patient; he waited for her to

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speak.

“Mr. Fowler, I need to borrow some money.” Natalia finally said, avoiding the topic of her resignation and asking for a loan instead.

Hamilton didn’t hide the mockery in his laugh.

“Do you think this is a charity. Ms. Jenkins? Or do you think we’re close enough for me to lend you money?”

face flushed with embarrassment, as she had anticipated.

Jenkins, don’t come to me without thinking it through.

ground. After a moment, she capitulated,

slightly, “I didn’t

not resigning. I didn’t

widened, the chill in his eyes

him. Hamilton yanked her towards

“Are you sure?”

averted her gaze and

ordered, turning her face

Natalia forced a smile and said, “Yes,

what changed your mind?” He wouldn’t

money, and besides else can satisfy me and pay

Mr. Fowler, no

tinged with approval as his hand slipped

Ms. Jenkins. So tell me, how much do you

tried to sound calm, “One

smile on his lips.

that?”

smile

Fowler? If you don’t, then I might just have to find

“Natalia!”

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Chapter 7

gripped her chin tightly.

Natalia fell silent.

letting anyone see them. But now, the anger in his eyes made

gaze. “Do you

the price, you better make sure

stood up and said. “Get

a

work, she went straight home. The so–called home was an apartment Hamilton had given her when they first got together.

always

Their home.

already seated on the

a shower!” he commanded without looking

stiffened as she replied with a

a hand. Without

my shirt,” he whispered,

froze; he was still on the

“Hurry up.”

was evident when she didn’t immediately move. Swallowing hard,

shape. As each button came undone, revealing his chiseled chest and abs, Natalia felt the same unnaturalness

set it up,” Hamilton said nonchalantly into the phone, responding to something the person on the other end had

head and bit gently into the tender flesh

“Ah!”

moan escaped

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other end paused