Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart

Chapter 9

The morning sun had barely peeked over the horizon when Natalia’s doorbell chimed, rousing her from a restless sleep. Standing on her doorstep with a warm smile was the executive assistant from the office.

“Good morning. Ms. Jenkins. Mr. Fowler has arranged for you to have a check–up today,” she said, her tone polite yet friendly.

Natalia nodded, her voice still groggy, “Thanks, I appreciate it.”

They arrived at the clinic, where the sight of Scarlett by the blood draw station eased Natalia’s nerves. After the blood work, the assistant suggested grabbing a bite to eat.

“Mr. Fowler mentioned you could take today off,” she said, her eyes scanning Natalia for a

reaction.

“Sounds good to me,” Natalia agreed without hesitation, her mind already on the other matters she had to attend to.

They parted ways, and Natalia made a beeline for the diner where she had agreed to meet Lionel.

“What can I get ya?” Lionel asked as soon as Natalia slid into the booth opposite him.

“Just water, thanks,” she replied, keeping it simple.

Lionel flagged down the waitress and ordered a glass of ice water for Natalia. She took a sip and got straight to the point.

“You mentioned you needed my help with something. What’s up?” Natalia asked, a playful smirk dancing on her lips. “I didn’t get the details before, but you weren’t about to ask me to go jewelry shopping with you, were you?”

Lionel chuckled and shook his head. “No, it’s actually something serious.” He slid a document across the table to her. “Could you help me translate this?”

Natalia paused, surprised, as she picked up the document and skimmed through the Italian legal jargon.

“What’s this about?” she asked, her curiosity piqued.

to find a professional translator, and then you called,” Lionel explained. Natalia fell silent, pondering for a

the sensation–fluent in several languages and even served as an interpreter for dignitaries. Then you aced the

1/3

14:21

Chapte

of nostalgia. “Those were the days,” she

the legal text, translating it with

be willing to interpret for us in court,

to check my schedule,” Natalia replied cautiously.

great. If not, we’ll figure something else out.” Lionel said,

for a while, and Lionel suddenly asked, “You’re not looking so good. Is it

want to tell Lionel too much about her personal affairs. She didn’t

her a lot, in the end, Lionel was

reservation at a nearby steakhouse, a place Natalia wouldn’t have expected

from the day before. It was clear she had become more than just a passing interest to Hamilton;

caught the subtle

her senses.

Miller’s voice echoed through the room, calling out to

smile, meeting Hamilton’s gaze with a stoic, “Mr.

emotion showing. He acknowledged her with a casual nod, then shifted his attention to Lionel, sizing him up with an air of

to introduce himself. “Mr. Fowler, it’s a pleasure. I’m Lionel from

empire at a young age, only to step

had always wanted to connect with Hamilton but had never

2/3

14:21

stone, but fate had other plans, presenting an unexpected encounter with

with a nod, an enigmatic smile playing on his lips as he appraised the two of them,

a nonchalant nod, his gaze sweeping over to Natalia.