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.

our contract’s up, you can be with whomever you please. But

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14:23

Chapter 12

you making eyes at any

stiffly, her spine rigid.

Natalia, his attention demanded elsewhere. Women, one after another, sought

corner, feeling a weariness that seeped into

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

gala dragged into

preferred to be in control, behind the wheel. Men with an overbearing need for control

first love. Yet, she was wrong. Maybe he could handle being

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

Natalia asked

pulled off her shawl and nipped at her

sharper pain. “Mr. Fowler, I can make you some coffee to sober up.”

Hamilton tightened his grip, pulling her close. “Was chatting with

tensed. “It wasn’t.”

yet you laughed so joyfully

was just basic courtesy,” she replied

chuckle.

her shoulder to her chest. The designer dress she wore. didn’t survive the night; it was torn beyond repair.

can we not

grasped her chin. “Why? Because of Victor? Are

didn’t love her, yet he was possessive to a maddening degree. It seemed to be a common flaw among men: their toys

be gentle? I’m really tired,” she

quirked. “You could always ask

car shook with their

endured Hamilton’s passion, cradling her belly protectively. When it was over, he carried her inside with a

He managed to

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

pushed at him weakly. “Mr. Fowler, I’m

his knee between her legs,

his phone rang–an interruption he usually despised. Irritably, he checked it, but to her surprise, he didn’t snap. His mood shifted, and

around himself, he stepped out with his phone, leaving Natalia alone with her thoughts–empty for a moment,

this hour? What could