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.

scrambling to find a professional translator, and

seen one of your speeches. Back at Boria University, you were quite the sensation–fluent in several languages and even served

1/3

14:21

Chapte

nostalgia. “Those were the days,” she

legal text,

up. “I knew you’d be perfect. Would you be willing to interpret for us in court, too? We’re really in a tight spot

to check my

know the court dates, and if you’re available, great. If not, we’ll figure something else out.” Lionel said, his

“You’re not looking so good. Is it because of what happened with your stepfather?”

her personal affairs. She didn’t

lot, in the end, Lionel

they grab lunch. He had a reservation at a nearby steakhouse, a place Natalia wouldn’t have expected to

Ms. Miller from the day before. It was clear she had become more

but Lionel caught the

quickly returned to her senses. “Why don’t we

Lionel could respond, Ms. Miller’s voice echoed through the room, calling out to

polite smile, meeting Hamilton’s gaze with a

nod, then shifted

a pleasure. I’m Lionel from Lio Law Firm, a friend

young age, only to step down out of boredom

to connect with Hamilton but had never found the right moment.

2/3

14:21

fate had

playing on his lips

nonchalant nod, his gaze sweeping over