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?”

1/6

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,

her. He lounged back on the sofa,

he like? This person who’s had Ms. Jenkins pining

very nice person.” After a brief pause, she added,

exactly lying. Hamilton, in her childhood, had been very kind to her.

“Kind to you, but not with you? Are you sure

Hamilton. “He forgot

Does he have amnesia? Or did

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

to look up and exposing the sorrow

eyes.

gaze darkened as he scoffed. “You saw him

that he, Hamilton, was

Chapter 38

assured, I haven’t seen him

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

narrowed, and he asked, “Do you

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

he’s not yours, it’s best to move on. Otherwise, you’re just setting yourself up for more trouble.”

released her and picked up his laptop to continue

more. The whims of Hamilton’s moods were not something she could easily

smoothly, and once they were

lounge, they had barely stepped

*Hamilton.”

tracks as

me

“Did

didn’t, but does that mean you won’t either?”

banter sounded like a couple in the midst of a small lover’s quarrel. Natalia stood there, feeling utterly out of place. Taking a deep breath, she averted

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

in Eveleen’s direction. “Hello, Ms. Schafer.”

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

faint smile. “It’s part of my job, after all.

generous.

fee, Hamilton shot Natalia a cryptic look.

to take a

had settled herself, Hamilton turned his attention back to

always have to give her

3/6

Chapter 38

at Hamilton. “Oh, are

all, in my inner circle. Can’t

didn’t go after her. But in no time, Eveleen was back

going to ask me to stay?” she demanded.

just smiled at her

before

in her chest that made it hard to

was immediately

took a step back, putting distance between them.

dropping to Natalia’s midsection. “Ms. Jenkins, you’re quite the dedicated employee to come on a business trip with

mind buzzed. She forced a smile. “I’m

forced her to drink at dinner. But since then, there had been no further signs, so

Eveleen was bringing it up again.

replied, “What’s wrong with

you are, Ms. Jenkins, traveling despite being sick. Is

a bit better lately. Sorry to have worried you, Ms. Schafer.”

that, she walked past Eveleen and out of the restroom, exhaling only when she was well