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.

of her. He lounged back on the sofa,

who’s had Ms. Jenkins pining for

“A very nice person.” After a brief pause, she added, “He was very

her childhood, had been very kind to

but not with you? Are you sure he isn’t just leading you

turned to look at Hamilton. “He

Does he have amnesia? Or did he

surge of sadness. “I’m not sure. When I saw him

up and exposing the sorrow brimming in her

eyes.

scoffed. “You saw him

Natalia met his eyes as if she was about to confess that he, Hamilton, was the one she

Chapter 38

“Mr. Fowler, rest assured, I haven’t

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

narrowed, and he asked, “Do you miss

in missing him. He’s not mine, and that’s the clearest fact

huffed ambiguously. “Ms. Jenkins, if you know he’s not yours, it’s best

that, he released her and picked up

nothing more. The whims of Hamilton’s moods were not something

smoothly, and once they were finalized,

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

*Hamilton.”

in her tracks as Eveleen approached them.

contacted me in two

raised an eyebrow. “Did

didn’t, but does that mean you

of a small lover’s quarrel. Natalia stood there, feeling utterly

Eveleen remarked as if she

nod in Eveleen’s direction. “Hello, Ms.

mile, trekking all this way to accompany Hamilton on his

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

generous.

mention of the fee, Hamilton shot Natalia

away. “I’m going to take

she turned and walked away. Once Natalia had settled herself,

have to give her a hard time?”

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Chapter 38

at Hamilton. “Oh, are you feeling protective now, Hamilton?”

“She is, after all, in my inner circle.

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

me

smiled at her in

a glare before

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

restroom, she was immediately confronted by Eveleen.

a step back, putting distance between them.

“Ms. Jenkins, you’re quite the dedicated

smile. “I’m not sure I

suspected that Eveleen might be onto her, especially after that time Eveleen had forced her to drink at dinner. But since

was bringing it up

with

Yet here you are, Ms. Jenkins, traveling despite being sick.

a bit better lately. Sorry to

walked past Eveleen and out of the restroom, exhaling only