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.

can be with whomever

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14:23

Chapter 12

making eyes

stiffly, her spine rigid.

Hamilton ignored Natalia, his attention demanded elsewhere. Women, one after another, sought him out..

sat in the corner, feeling a weariness that

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

dragged into the

the chauffeur was waiting by the car. Hamilton seldom used a driver; he preferred to be in control, behind the wheel. Men with an overbearing need

couldn’t possibly have a first love. Yet, she was wrong.

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

Natalia

pulled off her shawl and

sharper pain. “Mr. Fowler, I

close. “Was

“It

so joyfully

was just basic courtesy,” she

out a low chuckle. “Such good manners, Ms.

from her shoulder to her chest. The designer dress

can we not

her chin. “Why? Because of Victor?

with 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

just… be gentle? I’m really tired,”

lips quirked. “You could always ask

with

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

Hamilton carried her straight into the bathroom. He

her stomach, but Hamilton didn’t seem satisfied. He resumed his attentions,

“Mr. Fowler, I’m

wedged his knee between her legs, leaving her no room to

of their passion, his phone rang–an interruption he usually despised. Irritably, he checked it, but to her surprise, he didn’t snap.

with his phone, leaving Natalia alone with her thoughts–empty for a moment, as if she

Hamilton at this hour? What