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.”

I’d rather enjoy the pleasure

“Ms. Jenkins, I’ve been looking forward

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Chapter 26

his touch, reaching

by her evasion, Gideon kept smiling. “I can always make time for you,

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

the moment, Natalie swapped her glass of wine with a soft drink. When Gideon ended his call she raised her glass in

help

Ms. Jenkins.” He leered at her as

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

away. “Gideon, isn’t face–to–face better for conversation?”

wrapped an arm around her waist, but Natalie pushed him off and stood.

Mr. Fowler said he’d stop by. I’ll just go welcome him.”

vanished momentarily before returning with a scoff. “Ms. Jenkins, Mr. Fowler knows his way

for her again.

show some

didn’t you? Stop playing

to kiss her neck, the stench of his breath made

Jenkins, drink your wine. Did you think I wouldn’t notice you switched it to

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

not how you ask for favors, Ms.

violently, Gideon yanked open her blouse, exposing her delicate collarbone and drawing a salacious gulp from him. As he leaned in, Natalie’s foot came down hard on his, her high heel a

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

you’ve got the

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Chapter 26

gripped her, but in the midst of her struggle, she collided with a familiar

frame, a cigarette dangling from his lips, watching the scene.

voice