Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart

Chapter 37

Natalia returned to her hotel room, where her phone buzzed with a new notification.

Half a million dollars was wired to her account.

She stared at the message and then, on impulse, checked the trending topics online. Sure enough, the headline had changed.

Eveleen had been Hamilton’s high school sweetheart, now eclipsing the previous night’s scandal with the mystery man. Under the trending topic about them, the internet was abuzz with excitement.

There were blessings and envy. And there were speculations if the two had reconciled.

Natalia’s fingers tightened around her phone. After a moment, she let out a wry chuckle. This was, perhaps, the exact outcome Eveleen had sought. Hamilton probably knew that, so he had made their relationship public.

And Natalia, who stayed by Hamilton’s side, was there for the money. So, he settled her with

money.

Typical Hamilton, cold and calculating.

Just as Natalia was about to put away her phone, the executive assistant called.

“Mr. Fowler would like you to dress up: he’ll be picking you up shortly for a client meeting.

Natalia was silent, not responding. She felt a twinge of resentment. But she also knew she had no right to challenge Hamilton.

“Ms. Jenkins?” the secretary asked again.

Natalia responded with a simple acknowledgment. “Alright.”

She hung up and changed into a dress Hamilton had bought for her the night before. royal blue number, hemmed just above the knee.

it was a

After getting dressed, Natalia applied makeup for the first time since learning she was pregnant.

Hamilton called half an hour later.

Natalia stepped downstairs to find Hamilton lowering his car window, his eyebrows lifting ever so slightly at the sight of her.

The royal blue dress made her porcelain skin even more luminous.

“Nice dress,” Hamilton commented casually, leaning against the car window.

Natalia didn’t reply, simply getting into the car.

a golf course. Natalia followed Hamilton’s lead throughout,

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Chapter 37

with both

in the car, Hamilton turned to Natalia. “Playing the

paused before answering, striving for nonchalance. “Mr. Fowler, have you

“You want to end

smile was faint. “The thought has crossed my mind.”

and after a moment, he asked,

and

Jenkins, do you think

stiffened. “That’s not what I

just being

“Do I have

since you know better, drop the unnecessary attitude.”

not being sulky,

am some kind of hotel where you can come and go as you please? You should know, ever since you came back to me for that million dollars, you lost the right to talk about

Her eyes reddened as she turned to Hamilton. “Your relationship with Ms. Schafer is public now, Mr. Fowler. This makes me feel like… like a mistress. I don’t want to be caught between you anymore. It’s uncomfortable for all three

his seat, his expression unchanging. “Ms. Jenkins, did you just find out about my history with Eveleen?”

looked away. “No.”

it, and now you want to leave. Natalia, have I been too kind to you? Made you think you can

had she ever dared to do as she pleased around him?

that, I’m just…”

In front of a man who didn’t love her, hurt was just

Chapter 37

Hamilton. “I just don’t understand. Eveleen has been back for a while; why

“Ms. Jenkins, you’re

between you two

“Know your place, understand your role. My

Natalia choked up.

mistress. She had no influence over them at all. It was all her delusion. Thinking

Natalia spoke up again. “Mr. Fowler, half a million

going to be,

That

curling into a cold smirk,

“One million.”

line of his jaw accentuated his perfect profile. The

trees. If you want cash, you’ve

statement hung in the air as he raised an

exactly what he meant, but she didn’t budge. “Mr. Fowler, this is