Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart

Chapter 38

Natalia’s heart ached with a dull throb as she stared at the two words that seemed to mock her. She really wanted to throw the money back at him, then toss a few extra bills his way. telling him to keep it as a fee for “service rendered“. But she didn’t have the courage.

Staring at the message for a long while, she finally replied to Hamilton.

[Thanks, Mr. Fowler.]

Being pretentious was useless, especially with someone like Hamilton, who didn’t love her.

After sending the message, it wasn’t long before the bedroom door swung open. Hamilton stood at the doorway with a sneer on his face. His first words were a scoff. “Thanks for what?”

Natalia met his gaze. “Thanks for your generosity with your efforts and money.”

Hamilton leaned against the door frame, his eyes filled with scorn. “Ms. Jenkins, you always. see right through the heart of the matter.”

With that, he turned to leave, tossing over his shoulder, “Get up and have something to eat.

Natalia didn’t want to move. She had neither the appetite nor the energy. “I’m not hungry.”

“Don’t make me say it twice.” His voice was lazy, but there was an edge to it that Natalia dared not challenge.

She got up, dressed, and left the bedroom.

On the table was a bowl of chowder. Ever since she told him about her stomach upset, Hamilton seemed particularly fond of ordering chowder for her.

She didn’t dare read too much into it, afraid of getting her hopes up over nothing.

After finishing the porridge, Hamilton handed her a document. “Translate this.”

Natalia glanced at it–it was a contract in Frendlish. She took out her laptop and started translating.

Hamilton nonchalantly sat down next to her, arms draped over the back of the couch, his gaze fixed on her profile.

Natalia was beautiful, especially in moments like this, when her inner charm shone through, captivating enough to make it hard for anyone to look away.

Feeling his eyes on her made Natalia uncomfortable, but she dared not make any sudden moves, focusing instead on the document.

“Ms. Jenkins.” Hamilton suddenly broke the silence.

“Mr. Fowler.” Natalia quickly refocused her attention.

“The man you’ve liked for years. How’s he like?”

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Natalia stiffened slightly. She hadn’t expected Hamilton to ask such a question out of the blue.

Hamilton never liked prying into other people’s private lives, and he rarely allowed others to delve into his. In the three years they’d been together, he had seldom inquired about her past. perhaps due to his nature, perhaps because he simply didn’t care. But today, he broached the subject unexpectedly.

Natalia paused, her gaze fixed on the laptop screen. “Why the sudden curiosity?”

Hamilton raised an eyebrow at her. “Why? Can’t I ask?”

“It’s not that, just… some memories are better left undisturbed.”

A flicker of pain crossed Natalia’s face.

Hamilton’s eyes narrowed, his expression darkening. “Seems you have been deeply wounded.”

Then, his hand gripped her waist with a force that felt as if he could break her in half. “Still can’t forget him?”

“No.” Natalia quickly denied it. “It’s just… a bit uncomfortable when I remember.”

Hamilton’s look grew colder. “Ah, Ms. Jenkins, such a hopeless romantic.”

silent, not responding.

an eternity, Hamilton finally let go of her. He lounged

how’s he like? This person who’s had Ms. Jenkins pining for years?”

moment, then said, “A very nice person.” After a brief pause, she added, “He

her childhood, had been very kind to

Are you sure he isn’t just leading you

look at Hamilton.

amnesia? Or

not sure. When I

chin, forcing her to look up

eyes.

he scoffed.

to confess that he, Hamilton, was the one she

Chapter 38

she repeated. “Mr. Fowler, rest assured, I haven’t seen him since being with

It wouldn’t change how he felt about her. It might even make him despise her

narrowed, and he asked,

smile. “No use in missing him. He’s not mine, and that’s the

yours, it’s best to move on. Otherwise, you’re just setting

he released her and picked up his laptop to continue

said nothing more. The whims of Hamilton’s moods were not something she could easily soothe. His current discontent was probably due to his

they were finalized, they left

barely stepped

*Hamilton.”

paused in her tracks

me in

an eyebrow. “Did you

that mean you won’t

banter sounded like a couple in the midst of a small lover’s quarrel. Natalia stood there, feeling utterly

Ms. Jenkins is here too?” Eveleen remarked as if she had

in Eveleen’s

gone the extra mile, trekking all this way to accompany Hamilton on his business

smile. “It’s part of my job, after all. Plus, the fee Mr. Fowler

generous.

mention of the fee, Hamilton

looked away. “I’m going to

walked away. Once Natalia had settled herself, Hamilton turned his attention

always have to give her a

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Chapter 38

are you feeling protective

in my inner circle. Can’t I speak up

her heel and stormed off, though Hamilton didn’t go after her. But in no time, Eveleen was back at his

to ask me

smiled at her in response.

before reclaiming her seat

that made it hard to breathe. She rose and headed for the

from the restroom, she was immediately confronted by Eveleen.

Natalia took a step back, putting

a cold laugh, her eyes dropping to Natalia’s midsection. “Ms. Jenkins, you’re quite

mind buzzed. She forced a smile. “I’m not sure I follow, Ms.

after that time Eveleen had forced her to drink at dinner. But since then, there had been no further

was bringing it up

with accompanying Mr. Fowler on a business trip?”

weather? Yet here you are, Ms. Jenkins, traveling

been feeling a bit better lately. Sorry to have

of the restroom, exhaling only when