Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart

Chapter 30

Eveleen approached Natalia with two glasses of wine, a knowing smile plastered on her face.

Natalia glanced at the drinks and instantly felt the onset of a headache. She knew what was

coming.

Sure enough, Eveleen extended one of the glasses towards her. “Ms. Jenkins, I’m really sorry about the delays at work recently and for any misunderstandings that may have arisen because of me. I just want to clear the air.”

Natalia met Eveleen’s gaze, eyeing the drink warily. “No need for apologies. Friction at work is normal. It’s all about communication. And I’ll pass on the drink; I haven’t been feeling well lately.”

She didn’t take the glass. With that, she continued walking, but Eveleen blocked her path. “Ms. Jenkins, are you not willing to forgive me? Is that why you won’t even accept a drink?”

Natalia chuckled lightly. “Ms. Schafer, as I said, it’s just work stuff, nothing personal to forgive. And really, I’m not up for a drink.”

But Eveleen was persistent. “It’s just a little drink. Weren’t you known for holding your liquor back in the day?”

Back then, as Hamilton’s secretary when the company was just finding its footing. Natalia had been fearless with a glass in hand, but times had changed. The guilt from yesterday’s sip was still fresh, and today’s offer was out of the question.

“Ms. Schafer, I’m sorry. When I’m feeling better, let’s have a drink, just you and me, okay?”

Eveleen pouted. “It seems you really won’t forgive me.”

Natalia took a deep breath to calm her nerves. “I simply don’t want to drink because I’m unwell.”

“How can you be unwell? You look fine to me.”

Natalia’s head buzzed with irritation. She didn’t understand Eveleen’s insistence on this drink. Was it truly just about forgiveness? Eveleen was never that kind–hearted.

If not for forgiveness, then what?

The memory of Eveleen with her antiabortifacient flashed through Natalia’s mind, and her heart sank.

Natalia had to drink tonight to

“It’s my body. Ms. Schafer. I know how I feel.

as the villain. “Sorry, did I

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wanted your forgiveness.” Eveleen said, her voice breaking as tears started to fall.

“Ms. Jenkins, it’s just one drink. Just have it, and all is good.”

such a sweet gesture. What more do you

Jenkins, just drink up, and

was relentless, and Eveleen’s

Hamilton at the head of the

herself inwardly. Did she really expect Hamilton to step in? Maybe he had a shred of kindness to spare, but only if it didn’t clash with Eveleen’s wishes.

memory of Hamilton’s cold warning from the night before was vivid in her mind. She had no right to stand up to Eveleen.

resigned laugh, Natalia took the glass from Eveleen’s hand and downed it in one go.

Schafer, may I leave

“I didn’t mean anything by it, Ms. Jenkins. Please

overthinking it, Ms.

door closed behind her, she saw Hamilton pass a napkin to Eveleen. Eveleen didn’t take it. He wiped her tears away. half–heartedly chastising her. “You’re too old for this crying

can’t help it,”

look a

one thing, but the smile

sway him. In her experience, Hamilton’s heart had been as hard as a stone. He never softened for

the pain, a dull ache that made it hard to breathe. She let go of the door handle and rushed to the restroom, vomiting the wine and her

a cab but walked to a nearby market, blending in

socks from a street vendor and filled her stomach with a warm bowl of chicken soup. Only then did she start to

she settled in front of a street performer, listening to one song after another.

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said. “Got a favorite song? I can play it