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.

suspect something? If so, did that mean Natalia had to

masking her anxiety. “It’s my body. Ms. Schafer. I know how I

villain. “Sorry,

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Chapter 30

said, her voice breaking as tears started to

in, “Ms. Jenkins, it’s just one drink. Just

Eveleen’s making such a sweet gesture. What more do you want?”

drink up, and it’s all water

crowd was relentless, and Eveleen’s tearful gaze

head of the

Maybe he had a shred of kindness to spare, but only if it didn’t clash with Eveleen’s

right to stand up to Eveleen.

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

I

“I didn’t mean anything by it,

it, Ms.

reply, Natalia turned and left the room. As the 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 business.”

it,” she

a

the smile on his face

Just yesterday, Hamilton had told her tears wouldn’t sway him. In her experience, Hamilton’s heart had been as hard as a stone. He never softened for her tears or gave in to her

let go of the door handle and rushed to the restroom, vomiting the wine and her dinner.

in the mirror, she left the restaurant. She didn’t hail a cab but walked to a nearby market, blending

from a street vendor and filled her stomach with a warm bowl of chicken soup. Only

a street performer, listening to one song after another. Before leaving, she handed him

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he said. “Got a favorite song? I can play it for you.”