Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart

Chapter 15

Natalia forced a smile, her compliance just another act in the long–running play directed by Hamilton. He’d never given her the courtesy of an out, always expecting her to bend to his will without a moment’s thought for her feelings.

Over the years, she’d learned the hard way that resistance was futile: she might as well accept whatever task he threw her way, or endure whatever pain he saw fit to deliver.

“Understood,” she said, heading for the door.

“Come back. Eat something first.” Hamilton’s voice was firm, brooking no argument as he settled into the armchair, flipping open a takeout box.

“I’m not hungry.”

“Ms. Jenkins?” The chill in his voice was palpable, his steely gaze locking onto Natalia without a shred of warmth.

With a resigned sigh, Natalia turned and perched herself back on the couch.

Their meal passed in oppressive silence. Hamilton took his time, savoring each bite with the kind of discipline that spoke of a man who prized self–control above all else.

Natalia, on the other hand, poked at her food, her thoughts miles away. She tried her best to ignore the ugly rumors she’d heard earlier in the day, but they still gnawed at her, leaving an uncomfortable knot in her stomach.

Their quiet was shattered by the buzz of Hamilton’s phone. Hamilton’s voice softened as he took the call, a rare display of gentleness that Natalia knew was reserved for one person alone. “Trouble again? Alright, make sure you eat… Yes, I’ve got to go.”

Natalia knew without asking who was on the other end. Aside from his so–called first love, no one else could coax such tenderness from Hamilton.

“Did your old flame pop up again last night? Is that why you rushed off?” Natalia’s question was casual, but her tone held an edge.

Hamilton, busy fiddling with his state–of–the–art air purifier, glanced up at her. “That’s my business, Ms. Jenkins. Not yours.”

Two seconds of silence followed before Natalia responded, “I’m just concerned about my job security, that’s all”

Hamilton, adding a new scent pod to the purifier, looked up again. “Are you on the hunt for a new employer, Ms. Jenkins?”

A wry smile played on Natalia’s lips. “I can’t afford to go hungry.”

Hamilton’s expression darkened, his gaze heavy with unspoken threats. “Don’t worry, your

Chapter 15

Income won’t suffer. I’m not planning to replace you just yet.”

see that as a compliment. The bitterness and pain she’d suppressed for so long

Mr.

stony, and after a moment, Natalia made

Hamilton’s facade cracked. He wiped down his mouth meticulously before calling his secretary with a

who discreetly provided her with a stash of medications, including prenatal vitamins and folic acid,

Natalia a small package. “Mr. Fowler

the secretary departing with a

Hamilton, disregarding any romantic

the baby, she mused, it might be impossible to walk

to thank him again. His

quite polite, not when you were out of line with me in

Natalia headed for her car, but Hamilton’s voice stopped her. “Ride with me. There’s something I need to discuss on the way.”

the car pulling away from the

anxiety grew. The direction they were taking felt all too familiar, stirring a sense of foreboding within her.

Fowler, what are we going to

his eyebrows slightly. “To pick up someone and head to the studio. Didn’t you say you wanted to see the

silent. She did want to see the new brand ambassador. But the direction the car was traveling in made her more than a little uneasy inside.

a well–known villa, Natalia’s

her

the rush? Can’t you walk like a normal person?” Hamilton chided, though the

his tone betrayed his

was excited to see

and even his eyebrows were colored with a bit of

“Isn’t it

saying that, she looked towards Natalla, “Oh, I didn’t know you have

teel cold all over. Her belly now hurt so much that it

didn’t seem to notice

even

“Ms. Jenkins, take the back seat, please.”

smile was brittle as she moved her things

her take a cab? I

“There’s no cab service around

wait. There’s bound to be one eventually.”

will pick you up shortly. They’ll take you straight

place, though it was a mask hiding a world of