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.

When are you coming back?]

pause later, her phone

coming home for dinner.]

at the message before replying with

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was a peculiar feeling, a blend of hurt and disappointment and an unmistakable

heart isn’t with you,

she rushed

the sink, staring at her disheveled, pale reflection in the mirror for a long while before regaining her composure. Her

cry.

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

had already given him everything, and she didn’t want

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

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

down small bowls and portioned out the food, dividing it among the eager animals. After feeding them, she didn’t leave. She squatted in the garden, watching the animals

wasn’t even sure why

was unnecessary, wasn’t

emotions during pregnancy are often uncontrollable.

some time, a pair of leather shoes stopped in front of her.

look up. She didn’t want Hamilton to see her

watching her feed the cats

he finally

low, and his tone was less than pleasant.

with anger from an encounter

up at

down at her. “Have you been

wry smile. “No, just

was

her explanation of the bug, he nodded. “Are you

Chapter 22

stay out here a

glanced at her. “Throwing a fit?”

all, Mr. Fowler. Rest assured, I do have that much self–awareness.” “Good. Just don’t start

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