Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart

Chapter 12

Hamilton sidled up to Natalia, his large hand casually wrapping around her waist. A smirk. played on his lips, but his eyes were a chilly expanse of ice. “What’s got you so tickled pink? Mind sharing the joke?”

Natalia offered a strained smile. “Mr. Henkel was just saying your old flame’s coming back to town.”

Hamilton chuckled lightly, not bothering to pick up the thread of that conversation. Instead, he prodded, “And do you find this cause for giggles, Ms. Jenkins?”

Natalia felt a heavy knot in her stomach. What was she supposed to do, not smile? It’s not like she could grab Hamilton and wail about why he could pine for a past flame but not give her the time of day. She prided herself on being more self–aware than that.

“I was just happy for Mr. Fowler,” she said.

Hamilton’s expression darkened. “Well, I’m just overwhelmed by your thoughtfulness.”

Victor watched the sparring pair and couldn’t help but laugh. “Hey, Fowler, when your old flame shows up, give me a heads–up. I’ll take Ms. Jenkins off your hands. That way, it’s not like I’m poaching, right?”

The hint of a cold smile flickered across Hamilton’s brooding face.

“What’s this? You two cooking up a scheme?”

“No!” Natalia blurted out, a bit too quickly.

Victor might not care about Hamilton’s opinion, but Natalia had to.

“I’ve already turned Mr. Henkel down.”

But Victor seemed unbothered. “Don’t be so hasty to refuse, Ms. Jenkins. Sometimes you gotta taste a few dishes to know which one really satisfies your cravings,” he said, leaving them with that thought.

Natalia’s face soured. She suspected Victor was just trying to get back at her. “Mr. Fowler, I really don’t have those kinds of feelings for him.”

Hamilton swirled the liquor in his glass, his expression unreadable.

“Isn’t it just about the money for you, Ms. Jenkins? Why isn’t Victor up to snuff?”

Her smile faded, the corners of her mouth turning white with the effort to keep the bitterness at bay.

“Three years with Mr. Fowler, my standards have naturally risen.”

Hamilton was unimpressed, his gaze heavy on Natalia.

be with whomever you please. But until then,

1/4

14:23

Chapter 12

you making eyes at any other man!”

her spine

his attention demanded

in the corner, feeling a weariness that seeped into

toll on her, despite her attempts to rationalize her feelings. It hurt because, after all these years, he

dragged into

Hamilton seldom used a driver; he preferred to be in control, behind the wheel. Men with an overbearing need for control didn’t

Natalia always thought Hamilton couldn’t possibly have a first love. Yet, she was wrong. Maybe he

up at their building, the driver long gone. Inside, Hamilton, slightly tipsy, leaned back to

Natalia asked tentatively.

Hamilton pulled off her shawl and nipped at her shoulder.

Fowler, I can make you some coffee to sober

tightened his grip, pulling her close. “Was chatting

“It

yet you laughed so joyfully with him?”

courtesy,”

low chuckle. “Such

trailed from her shoulder to her chest. The

Fowler, can we not tonight?”

Victor? Are you saving yourself for him?”

love her, yet he was possessive to a maddening degree. It seemed

I’m really tired,”

“You could

with

Hamilton’s passion, cradling her belly protectively. When it was over, he

He managed to clean them both up before tucking

Hamilton didn’t seem satisfied. He resumed his attentions, more insistent

“Mr. Fowler,

his knee between her legs, leaving her no room to

he usually despised. Irritably, he checked it, but to her surprise, he didn’t snap. His mood shifted,

his phone, leaving Natalia alone with her thoughts–empty for a moment, as if she didn’t know what to feel anymore.

be calling Hamilton at this hour?