Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart

Chapter 17

Eveleen’s face twisted into a scowl. “Natalia, do you really think that just because you’ve hung around him for a few years, he’s yours? He’s been publicly singl

think you are to him?”

all these years. What do you all these years. What do you

Natalia’s heart felt as if it had been sharply jabbed. She knew her place better than anyone. Yet, faced with Eveleen, she refused to show any sign of weakness.

“He may not be mine, but he’s certainly not yours!”

Eveleen seemed stung by the retort, her features quickly clouding over with a harsh chill.

“Natalia, don’t get too smug. Hamilton will be mine sooner or later. I’m back to discuss our wedding plans, so stop clinging to him like some homewrecker. It was bad enough that your mother played that role, and now you’re following in her footsteps. You and your mother are truly nauseating!”

In a sudden loss of control, Natalia slapped Eveleen in the face.

“Natalia!” Hamilton’s voice came from behind which made Natalia’s fingers tremble violently. She stood rigid, almost too afraid to turn around.

“What are you doing?” Hamilton’s voice was colder than she had ever heard.

Natalia turned to face him and said. “I’m slapping someone. Can’t Mr. Fowler see?”

“I’m asking why you slapped her!”

Natalia glared at Hamilton before her, whose expression was chillingly cold. “Someone insulted my mother. Am I supposed to wait for Christmas to retaliate?”

“Would she insult your mother for no reason?”

Natalia scoffed, “You should ask Ms. Schafer why she couldn’t keep her mouth shut and had to bring my mother into this to humiliate me.”

Hamilton’s gaze shifted heavily toward Eveleen.

Eveleen looked pitiful, with tears welling in her eyes like a damsel in distress.

“No, I just came to apologize to Ms. Jenkins for kicking her out of the car that time. I’ve felt guilty ever since. I just wanted to make amends, but she reacted so violently.”

well what Eveleen was capable of, but she

spine

a steady gaze.

and asked, “Do you not believe me,

a mask of indifference, and though he didn’t respond, his message

14-25

playing the victim, spoke up. “Hamilton, let it go. No matter what, she’s your manager. If she doesn’t want to admit it, that’s fine. I can handle this. After

but laugh. She had to admire Eveleen’s gall. No wonder this woman could stir Hamilton’s heart. In just a few moments, she had transformed from an aggressor

forgiveness, making Natalia seem unreasonable

did deserve it,” Natalia remarked casually.

raised ever so slightly. His gaze lingered

“Ms. Jenkins, apologize.”

bitter pill for Natalia to swallow.

if I don’t?”

eyes narrowed, and his cold gaze became oppressive. He would not tolerate

Natalia still refused to back

unreadable. He stood between the two women, seemingly detached,

look woefully

not push Ms. Jenkins. My reputation is sensitive right now, and for

public figure, shouldn’t you want to clear this up? Once things are clear. who could tarnish

between the two women was never about the truth; it

the looks of it, Natalia was losing miserably. She understood that pursuing the matter further was pointless. If Hamilton decided she was in the wrong, then even if the truth was. right before him, he wouldn’t

she still wanted him to see the truth.

let it

not check? Wouldn’t that be unfair to you,

start shooting. Are you sure you want

were clearly tipped. Natalia suddenly

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Chapter 17

her strength. After apologizing, she turned and left, her

was contending with Eveleen, but only she knew that she was really fighting the painful realization that her years of devotion had led

what Eveleen was like and

be so irrational, where right and wrong are

at Eveleen who still looked