Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart

Chapter 26

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.”

rather enjoy

towards Natalie’s waist. “Ms. Jenkins, I’ve been looking forward to

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Chapter 26

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

by her evasion, Gideon kept smiling. “I can

him. As luck would have it,

soft drink. When Gideon ended his call she raised her glass in a

help this time, Gideon.”

He leered at her as they drank

beside her, glass in hand. “Ms. Jenkins, why sit

“Gideon, isn’t

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

by. I’ll just

before returning with a scoff. “Ms. Jenkins, Mr. Fowler knows his way around. No need for you

for her

show

this was about, didn’t you? Stop

neck, the stench of his breath

notice you switched it to a soft drink? Who are you

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

drink? That’s not how you ask for favors, Ms. Jenkins!”

yanked open her blouse, exposing her delicate collarbone and drawing a salacious gulp from him. As he leaned in, Natalie’s

flung it open, Gideon yanked

you’ve

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Chapter 26

her, but in the midst of her struggle, she collided with

a cigarette dangling from

on. Don’t mind me.” his voice was as

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