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

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14:23

Chapter 12

want to catch you making eyes

nodded stiffly, her spine

Natalia, his attention

feeling a weariness that seeped into

her attempts to rationalize her feelings. It hurt because, after all these years, he was still

into the night.

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

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

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

okay?” Natalia asked tentatively.

her shawl and nipped

a sharper pain. “Mr. Fowler, I can make you

pulling her close. “Was chatting with Victor that

“It wasn’t.”

yet you laughed so joyfully with

basic courtesy,” she

out a low chuckle. “Such good manners,

silent as his kisses trailed from her shoulder to her chest. The designer dress she wore. didn’t survive the night; it was torn

can we not

chin. “Why? Because of Victor? Are you saving yourself for him?”

Victor had irked Hamilton. It was almost laughable–he didn’t love her, yet he was possessive to a maddening degree. It seemed to be a common flaw among men: their toys could be ignored, but heaven forbid anyone else

you just… be gentle? I’m really tired,”

could

car shook with their

cradling her belly protectively. When it was over, he carried her

the bathroom. He managed to clean them both up before tucking her into bed.

a dull ache in her stomach, but Hamilton didn’t seem satisfied. He resumed his attentions, more insistent than

him weakly. “Mr. Fowler, I’m

between her legs, leaving

checked it, but to her

out with his phone, leaving Natalia alone with her thoughts–empty for a moment, as if she didn’t

Hamilton at this hour? What could