Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart

Chapter 22

Chapter 22

Back when social engagements didn’t tie him up, Hamilton often enjoyed the luxury of meals prepared at home by Natalia.

He was a food snob, finicky about every detail from the ingredients to the plating. Unless he had to, he seldom dined out.

In the early days of their relationship, Natalia went to great lengths to satisfy his

s gourmet inclinations. She once basked in the glow of his casual “not bad” for days on end. It seemed she had given him all of her efforts, youthful days, and heart–fluttering moments.

The memory of cooking his favorite meal with a heart full of happiness now felt so distant.

“What’s wrong?” Scarlett asked.

Natalia hung up the phone, her face a shade paler than usual. “I have to go back.”

Money was tight for her. She had to admit she still needed to rely on Hamilton for financial support.

Her mother’s medical bills were a bottomless pit. And now, with a child on the way, a child she hadn’t initially planned for, she needed a solid financial foundation more than ever.

After parting ways with Scarlett, Natalia made her way to the local farmer’s market.

Hamilton insisted on the freshest ingredients; leftovers never lasted overnight in their fridge.

By the time Natalia returned from the market, the evening had settled in. She spent two full hours in the kitchen conjuring up a meal of four dishes and a soup. Hamilton’s dining preferences were nothing short of ritualistic and Natalia could not afford to be careless in the

kitchen.

After two hours amid the greasy fumes, she felt nauseated and had to take antiemetic medication before calling Hamilton. But his phone went unanswered.

She glanced at the clock on the wall. It was eight o’clock.

He shouldn’t be in a meeting or working late at this hour. Did he not hear the phone, or was he ignoring it?

After a moment’s hesitation, she dialed again. This time, he rejected her call straight up.

Staring at the disconnected call, a wave of frustration washed over her. She exhaled softly and sent him a message.

ready. When are

brief pause later,

coming home

stared at the message before replying

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14:34

on Hamilton’s text. It was a peculiar feeling, a

isn’t with you,

her, and she rushed to the bathroom.

in the mirror for a long while before regaining her composure. Her nose tingled,

cry.

already claimed too many of her tears. This had happened before; it was happening now, and it

and she didn’t want to

and began to eat alone. Her cooking was actually quite good. Over the years, she had

again. She then bagged up the unfinished meal and carried it downstairs. The neighborhood’s stray cats and dogs gathered around as she

them, she didn’t leave. She squatted in the garden,

why she was crying.

was unnecessary,

emotions during pregnancy are often uncontrollable.

time, a pair of leather

didn’t look up. She didn’t want Hamilton

before her, simply watching her

the animals had scattered, he finally

his tone was less than

he returned with anger from an encounter with Eveleen? Natalia

looked up at Hamilton.

squinted down at her. “Have you been

a wry smile. “No, just a bug flew

seemed indifferent; his question was

the bug, he nodded. “Are you

Chapter 22

out here a

glanced at her. “Throwing a fit?”

Fowler. Rest assured, I do have

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