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.

eternity, Hamilton finally let go of her. He lounged

This person who’s had Ms. Jenkins pining

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

Hamilton, in her childhood, had

Are you sure he isn’t just leading you on, playing

to look at Hamilton. “He forgot

Or

the surge of sadness. “I’m not sure. When I saw him again, he

forcing her to look up and exposing the sorrow brimming in

eyes.

gaze darkened as he scoffed. “You saw him again? When?”

as if she was about to confess that he, Hamilton, was the one

Chapter 38

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

how he

asked,

“No use in missing him. He’s

Jenkins, if you know he’s not yours, it’s best to move on. Otherwise, you’re just setting yourself

released her and picked

sense Hamilton’s displeasure but said nothing more. The whims of Hamilton’s moods were not something she could

and once they

airport VIP lounge, they had barely stepped in when someone called

*Hamilton.”

in her tracks

you haven’t contacted me in two days.”

an eyebrow. “Did

didn’t, but does that mean you won’t

small lover’s quarrel. Natalia stood there, feeling utterly out of place. Taking a deep

is here too?” Eveleen remarked as

a slight nod in Eveleen’s direction. “Hello,

mile, trekking all this way to accompany Hamilton on his business trip.”

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

generous.

the fee, Hamilton shot Natalia a cryptic

away. “I’m going to take a breather over there.”

that, she turned and walked away. Once Natalia had settled herself, Hamilton turned his attention back

always have to

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Chapter 38

are you feeling protective

lightly. “She is, after all, in my inner circle. Can’t I speak up

off, though Hamilton didn’t go after her. But in

me

at her

glare before reclaiming her seat beside him.

exchange, feeling a tightness in her chest that made it hard to breathe. She rose and headed

she was immediately confronted by Eveleen.

Schafer.” Natalia took a step back,

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

mind buzzed. She forced a smile. “I’m

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

bringing it up

to appear nonchalant, Natalia replied, “What’s wrong with

under the weather? Yet here you are, Ms. Jenkins, traveling despite being sick. Is your company that short–staffed?”

better lately. Sorry to have worried

the restroom,