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.

once our contract’s up, you can be

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14:23

Chapter 12

you making eyes at

nodded stiffly, her spine rigid.

the event, Hamilton ignored Natalia, his attention demanded elsewhere. Women,

corner, feeling a weariness that seeped into her

rationalize her feelings. It hurt because, after all these years, he was still the one she

gala dragged into the

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

possibly have a first love. Yet, she was wrong.

driver long gone. Inside, Hamilton, slightly tipsy, leaned back to

okay?” Natalia asked tentatively.

Hamilton pulled off her shawl

sharper pain. “Mr. Fowler, I can make you some coffee

his grip, pulling her close. “Was chatting

tensed. “It

laughed so joyfully with him?”

basic courtesy,” she replied bitterly.

chuckle.

chest. The

we not

“Why? Because of Victor? Are you saving yourself for

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 touch them.

you just… be gentle? I’m really

“You could always ask nicely.”

car shook with their fervor.

was over, he carried her

Hamilton carried her straight into the bathroom. He managed to clean them both

a dull ache in her stomach, but Hamilton didn’t seem satisfied.

“Mr.

just wedged his knee between her legs, leaving

the thick of their passion, his phone rang–an interruption he usually despised. Irritably, he checked it, but to her surprise, he didn’t snap. His mood shifted, and he lost interest.

he stepped out with his phone, leaving Natalia alone with her thoughts–empty

at this hour? What could