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 you

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14:23

Chapter 12

making eyes at any other man!”

her

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

sat in the corner, feeling a weariness that seeped

first love did take their toll on her, despite her attempts to rationalize her feelings. It hurt because, after

gala dragged into the

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

always thought Hamilton couldn’t possibly have a first love. Yet, she was wrong. Maybe he could handle being out of

gone. Inside, Hamilton, slightly tipsy, leaned back to rest

Natalia

her shawl and nipped at her

“Mr. Fowler,

her close. “Was chatting with Victor that delightful?”

tensed. “It

laughed so joyfully with him?”

courtesy,” she replied bitterly.

a low chuckle. “Such good

The designer dress she wore. didn’t survive the night; it was torn beyond

we not

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

possessive to a maddening degree. It seemed to be a common flaw among men: their toys could be

gentle? I’m really tired,”

“You could always ask nicely.”

car shook with

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

bathroom. He managed to clean them both up before

her stomach, but Hamilton didn’t

pushed at him weakly. “Mr.

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

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

be calling Hamilton at this hour? What could be