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.”

remained silent, not responding.

felt like an eternity, Hamilton finally let go of her. He lounged back on the sofa, looking relaxed yet distant.

me, how’s he like? This person who’s had Ms. Jenkins pining for

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

childhood, had been very kind to her.

you? Are you sure he isn’t just leading you

turned to look at Hamilton. “He forgot about

have amnesia? Or did he just

hiding the surge of sadness. “I’m not sure. When

chin, forcing her to look up and exposing the sorrow

eyes.

as he scoffed. “You

as if she was about to confess that he, Hamilton, was the one she had always cared for. But the next second, she

Chapter 38

Fowler, rest assured, I haven’t seen him since being

him? It wouldn’t change how he felt about her.

he asked,

herself and gave him a light–hearted smile. “No use in missing him. He’s not mine, and that’s the

“Ms. Jenkins, if you know he’s not yours, it’s best to move on. Otherwise, you’re

her and picked up his

of Hamilton’s moods were not something she could easily soothe. His current discontent was probably due

went smoothly, and once they were

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

*Hamilton.”

in her tracks as Eveleen approached them.

me

“Did you contact me?”

does that mean you won’t

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

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

gave a slight nod in

flashed a smile. “Ms. Jenkins, you’ve really gone the extra mile, trekking all this way to accompany Hamilton on his

part of my job, after all. Plus, the fee Mr. Fowler offers is quite

generous.

fee, Hamilton shot Natalia a cryptic look.

going to take a breather over there.”

walked away. Once Natalia had settled

to give

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Chapter 38

are you

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

after her. But in no time,

me to stay?” she demanded.

at her in

shot him a glare before reclaiming her

watched the exchange, feeling a tightness in her chest that made it

was immediately confronted by

took a step back, putting distance between

Natalia’s midsection. “Ms. Jenkins, you’re quite

“I’m not sure

time Eveleen had forced her to drink at dinner. But since then, there

bringing

wrong with accompanying Mr. Fowler on a business

under the weather? Yet here you are, Ms. Jenkins, traveling despite being

away, saying, “I’ve been feeling a bit better lately. Sorry to have

out of the restroom, exhaling only when