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 silent, pondering for a moment. “How did you know I speak Italian?”

Boria University, you were quite the sensation–fluent in several languages and even served as an

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Chapte

days,” she said, “but

text,

lit 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

have to check my

I’ll let you know the court dates, and if you’re available, great. If not, we’ll figure something else

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

and replied, “Sort of.” She didn’t really want to tell Lionel too much about her personal

did help her a lot, in the end,

and suggested they grab lunch. He had a reservation at a nearby steakhouse, a

same Ms. Miller from the day before. It was clear she had become more than just a passing interest to Hamilton; she was potential new flame material.

but Lionel caught the subtle shift in

quickly returned to her senses. “Why

through the room, calling out to

smile, meeting Hamilton’s gaze with

nod, then shifted

opportunity to introduce himself. “Mr. Fowler, it’s a pleasure. I’m Lionel from Lio Law Firm, a friend of Natalia’s. I’ve heard

synonymous with success. Rumor had it he had taken over the family empire at a young age, only to step down out of boredom and start his own venture. Now, his company was thriving, and Hamilton was a figure of prominence–a

wanted to connect with Hamilton but had never found the

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use her as a stepping stone, but fate had other plans, presenting an

to meet you,” Hamilton replied with a nod, an enigmatic smile playing on his lips

nod, his