Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart

Chapter 32

Natalia’s thoughts drifted back to the present as she toweled off and returned to her room.

The insistent jingle of Hamilton’s phone pierced the silence. Someone was bombarding him with messages, but Natalia had no idea who.

With a flicker of irritation, Hamilton glanced at the screen before dialing out.

“Just get her home,” he instructed curtly.

Victor’s voice came through, tinged with confusion. “Hamilton, Eveleen’s plastered, keeps calling out for you, saying you don’t like her anymore and stuff like that. Did you two have a row?”

Hamilton lit a cigarette and took a drag. “No.”

Eveleen could be a real drama queen when she wanted to, kicking up a fuss just to get his

attention.

Like today, she hadn’t been keen on him coming home, but he had insisted on it anyway.

“You better come and fetch her soon,” Victor said.

Hamilton scowled. “If you don’t want to drop her off, then call her folks to send a driver.”

Victor prodded. “What’s got you so tied up that you can’t even look after Eveleen?”

He paused before adding. “You’re not with Natalia, are you? Hamilton, are you really tossing Eveleen aside for that girl?”

A shadow passed across Hamilton’s face. “Who I’m with is my business. Just make sure she gets home.”

With that, Hamilton hung up and turned to face Natalia.

“Make it clear to Lionel tomorrow. If he really needs a translator, he can hire one elsewhere. If he can’t afford that much, he shouldn’t be running a law firm.”

Natalia remained silent. She didn’t want to push this part–time gig away. Money was one reason. But there was also a tiny, unspoken hope she harbored–she longed to reclaim her own dreams someday, to be her own person again; not just Ms. Jenkins, Hamilton’s so–called ‘add–on‘; not just an accessory in the eyes of others, belonging to Hamilton.

“I want to keep it. Our contract never said I couldn’t take a side job.”

Hamilton chuckled. “So, you want to discuss contracts now? Maybe we should examine some of your recent breaches of the agreement.”

Natalia stiffened.

The terms of their original deal were spelled out in meticulous and unfriendly detail. She had, more or less, broken several of the stipulated rules lately. If they really got into it, Hamilton’s

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Chapter 32

could tear

Fowler. I won’t cross any lines with Lionel that aren’t strictly platonic. Besides, we’ve known each

persistence only darkened Hamilton’s

Natalia, he muttered, “As you

he emerged, dressed and ready, and

gone. Natalia lay in bed alone, pondering. It

situation.

quite name her feelings. Probably a mix of discomfort and, strangely,

Lionel, she guessed

buzzing when Hamilton arrived.

When she saw Hamilton, she huffed and moved closer

seat

eyes welled up as he decided not to join them.

come over here. Why are you sitting all the way over

Natalia’s defiance had stirred something violent within him, which he forcefully suppressed. He disliked this loss of control, especially over someone like Natalia. Perhaps his pet had

he let her be.

her do as she pleased.

she didn’t tarnish herself before the contract ended, he didn’t care.

cigarette, his expression unreadable,

tense, everyone sensing the couple’s discord.

However, Victor quickly pulled her back,

Chapter 32

to Hamilton. “Are you mad at me

drink?”

gaze. “If you knew it might

“I didn’t mean anything by it; I just

o work.”

really mad

late. I’ll have someone take you home. It’s not safe for a young lady to be out this late.” His tone

tears turned to a grateful smile.

Eveleen left, Victor settled beside Hamilton. “What are you thinking? Eveleen’s back: why not

his cigarette. “Mind your

for you.”

not hung up

took a drag, offering no reply, but to Victor, his silence