Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart

Chapter 28

Natalia’s lips were pressed into a tight line, her frustration palpable in the silent room. Of course, she was aggrieved, but she knew very well that wouldn’t win Hamilton’s sympathy.

Hamilton gripped the nape of her neck, forcing her gaze up to meet his.

“Didn’t see Gideon’s previous advances for you? Or did you just not care?” he challenged.

“I had no other choice.” Natalia insisted, her voice barely above a whisper. “Eveleen wouldn’t cooperate; her agent was MIA, and you, Mr. Fowler, insisted on using her for the project. What was I supposed to do?”

Hamilton released her abruptly. “If you can’t get the job done, maybe it’s time to find someone

who can.”

“Please, Mr. Fowler, let’s be clear–it’s Eveleen who’s been uncooperative, not me!”

His laugh was cold and mocking. “And why is that, Natalia? Haven’t I warned you about provoking her? Think about the attitude you’ve had towards her all this time.”

Natalia looked down, feeling as if her heart was being squeezed tight. Was this really about her behavior towards Eveleen? Or was it that Eveleen had been at odds with her from the start? She had bent over backward to accommodate her, but all this man could see were her faults.

He was blind to Eveleen’s insults, her humiliations.

After a long silence, Natalia mustered a smile. “So, everything’s my fault, Mr. Fowler?”

Leaning against the couch, Hamilton’s indifference was apparent. “Right or wrong isn’t the point. The real question is, do you honestly think you can stand against Eveleen?”

The sting of his words turned her face pale. She had no standing, not against Eveleen, the rising star in the entertainment world with the Schafer family at her back. And what did Natalia have? She had to admit Hamilton was right. His cold, sober reminder was that she should never have provoked Eveleen. In the end, the loser was always going to be her. He wouldn’t help her. He might even add fuel to the fire, letting her face the harsh reality.

At this moment, she realized that all her resistance would only bring punishment. Because there was no love, his heart had never been on her side. He didn’t care how much she suffered; all he wanted was her submission.

“I understand,” she said finally, her voice resigned, knowing she would only suffer if she kept on going against Eveleen. Eveleen had proven to her with facts that she was nothing compared to her. Thus, Natalia gave in.

Hamilton seemed satisfied at last. “Have you scheduled a meeting with Eveleen?”

“Yes.”

“When?”

Chapter 28

“Tomorrow.”

silent for a moment, then offered, “If you’re not feeling well, we can push it back a day.”

this appointment;

be.”

her with a curt,

to her room. After taking her medicine, she called Scarlett. “Today, someone forced

her heart flared with worry. If it affected the baby, she had no reason to

fighting.

much did you drink?”

tried to throw it up afterward, but I’m not sure how much I swallowed.”

was just a

get rid of it, you should be

it in the

her

down. What’s going

bit tired,” Natalia said with a weak smile.

A good mood is the best thing

before ending the call and drifting off to sleep.

to his study. By the time he returned to the bedroom, it was past midnight. Half–asleep, Natalia found herself being pulled into his embrace. His warm lips sought hers, but Natalia’s heart resisted.

we not tonight?”

Jenkins, you should know I

Right–she was there for his

relentless as if trying to consume her whole. She endured, carefully urging him not to be too rough.

he finally stopped. Exhausted and sweating, Natalia felt the sting of a bite mark left by Hamilton, covering the red

devoid of gentleness. His gaze fell on

shook her head.

down hard. “Does it hurt

Chapter 28

it should hurt.

herself. “I’m not

moment later, can you honestly say you wouldn’t have been? If I hadn’t shown up, you would have been prey to Gideon’s appetite.”

closed her mouth,

arranged to meet outside. I didn’t expect him to change the location to

Hamilton wasn’t looking for excuses.

won’t happen again,” Natalia finally conceded.

wrapped her in a towel and carried her