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.

Italian. We’ve been scrambling to find a professional translator,

were quite the sensation–fluent in several languages and even served as

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Chapte

“Those were the days,” she said, “but

on the legal text, translating it with ease,

knew you’d be perfect. Would you be willing to interpret for us in court,

have to check my

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

looking so good. Is it because of what happened with your

much about her personal affairs. She didn’t want anyone else to know about

did help her a lot, in the end, Lionel was different

glanced at his watch and suggested they grab lunch. He had a reservation at a nearby

the same Ms. Miller from the day before. It was clear she had become more than just a passing interest to

the subtle shift

to her senses. “Why don’t we change places?”

to Natalia

smile, meeting Hamilton’s gaze with a

nod, then shifted his attention to

“Mr. Fowler, it’s a pleasure. I’m Lionel from Lio Law Firm, a friend of Natalia’s. I’ve heard a lot about

to step down out of boredom and start his

to connect with Hamilton but had never found the right

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

enigmatic smile playing on his lips as he appraised the two of them, the

his