Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart

Chapter 26

Natalie eyed the private dining room with a mix of confusion and irritation, turning to the waiter with a furrowed brow.

“Excuse me, but isn’t there some mistake? I had reserved a table on the patio.”

The waiter’s smile was apologetic but firm. “Ms. Jenkins, there’s no error. The gentleman you’re meeting requested the room change.”

A twinge of annoyance shot through Natalie’s temple. She forced a smile. “Alright, thank you. I’ll go in on my own.”

Once the waiter had left, Natalie made a beeline for the restroom to gather her thoughts. She promptly dialed Scarlett’s number.

“Scarlett, where are you?”

“At the hospital, it’s my shift tonight. What’s up? Feeling under the weather?”

Natalie paused, then said, “No, it’s nothing. I was hoping we could grab dinner, but let’s do it another time.”

*Sure thing.”

After hanging up, Natalie stood motionless for a moment before reluctantly calling Hamilton. The idea of his biting sarcasm seemed preferable to facing Gideon alone. However, her calls went unanswered.

Staring at the disconnected call screen, a bitter taste filled her mouth. She vividly remembered Hamilton pulling away from their intimate moments to take Eveleen’s calls.

If it were Eveleen, he would undoubtedly pick up anytime, wouldn’t he?

Shaking off the chaos in her mind, Natalie sent Hamilton her location via WhatsApp, telling him. she was dining with Gideon, then pocketed her phone.

He always checked WhatsApp. And with Hamilton’s notorious jealousy, surely he would show up? That was all she was counting on.

With a mix of hope and dread, she steeled herself and headed for the private room. Upon entering, Gideon greeted her with a grin that felt too wide.

“Ms. Jenkins, you’re late. That’ll be three shots as a penalty.”

Natalie maintained her professional smile, sidestepping his comment. “Sorry, the traffic was a nightmare. Why did we move inside? The restaurant’s charm is its outdoor view.”

“True, but I’d rather enjoy

Jenkins, I’ve been looking forward to a meal with you

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Chapter 26

of revulsion ran down her spine. Natalie stood and deftly sidestepped his touch, reaching for her glass of water.

evasion, Gideon kept smiling. “I can always make time

took a seat across from him. As luck would have it, Gideon

swapped her glass of wine with a soft drink. When Gideon ended his call she raised her glass

for your help this time,

pleasure, Ms. Jenkins.” He leered at her

grew impatient quickly and moved to sit beside her, glass in hand. “Ms. Jenkins, why sit

edged away. “Gideon, isn’t face–to–face

arm around

he’d stop by. I’ll just go

with a scoff. “Ms. Jenkins, Mr. Fowler knows

reached for

show

there to respect? You knew what this was about, didn’t you? Stop playing coy–I

her neck, the stench of his breath made Natalie gag.

Jenkins, drink your wine. Did you think I wouldn’t notice you switched it to a soft drink? Who are you trying

throat. Natalie’s face went ashen. She managed to swallow a

won’t drink? That’s not how you ask for favors, Ms.

collarbone and drawing a salacious gulp from him. As he leaned in, Natalie’s foot came down hard on his, her

the door, but as she flung it open, Gideon yanked her back by her

Let’s see if you’ve got the skill, Ms. Jenkins!”

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Chapter 26

her struggle, she

from his lips, watching the scene. with detached amusement.

voice was as cold as frost.