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.

in Italian. We’ve been scrambling to find a professional translator, and then you called,” Lionel explained. Natalia fell

one of your speeches. Back at Boria University, you were quite the sensation–fluent in several languages and even served as an interpreter for dignitaries. Then you aced the diplomatic service exams during grad

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Chapte

days,” she said,

text, translating it with ease,

interpret for us in court, too? We’re really in a tight spot with the Italian.”

have to check my schedule,” Natalia replied cautiously.

dates, and if you’re available, great. If not, we’ll figure something else out.”

looking

her personal affairs.

her a lot, in

a nearby steakhouse, a place Natalia wouldn’t have expected to

an unexpected twist of fate. was Hamilton, dining with the same Ms. Miller from the day

hesitated at the entrance, but Lionel caught the subtle shift in her demeanor. “Something wrong?”

her senses. “Why don’t we change

Ms. Miller’s voice echoed through the room, calling out to Natalia in what seemed like a boastful tone, “Ms. Jenkins, what a coincidence!”

Hamilton’s gaze with a stoic, “Mr.

with a casual nod, then shifted his attention to Lionel, sizing him

“Mr. Fowler, it’s a pleasure. I’m Lionel from Lio

Rumor had it he had taken over the family empire at a young age, only to step down out of boredom and start

with Hamilton but had never found

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her as a stepping stone, but fate had other plans,

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

gave a nonchalant nod, his gaze sweeping over to Natalia.