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.

you can be with whomever you please. But until then,

1/4

14:23

Chapter 12

to catch you making eyes at

stiffly, her

the event, Hamilton ignored Natalia, his attention demanded

in the corner, feeling a

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

dragged into the

car. Hamilton seldom used a driver; he preferred to be in control, behind the

have a first love. Yet, she was wrong. Maybe he could

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

Natalia asked

eyes, Hamilton pulled off her shawl and nipped at her

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

her close. “Was chatting with

“It

so joyfully with him?”

was just basic courtesy,” she

a low chuckle. “Such good manners,

to her chest. The designer dress she wore. didn’t survive the night;

can we

“Why? Because of Victor? Are you saving yourself

he was possessive to a maddening degree. It seemed to be a common flaw

I’m

“You could always ask nicely.”

with their

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

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

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

at him weakly. “Mr. Fowler, I’m

just wedged his knee between her legs, leaving

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.

a robe around himself, he stepped out with his phone, leaving Natalia alone with

this hour? What could