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,

what felt like an eternity, Hamilton finally let go of her.

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

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

her childhood, had been very kind to her.

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

to look at Hamilton.

Or did he just

dropped, hiding the surge of sadness. “I’m not sure. When I saw him again, he didn’t remember me.”

forcing her to look up and

eyes.

as he scoffed. “You saw him again?

he, Hamilton, was the one

Chapter 38

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

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

narrowed, and he asked, “Do you

him a light–hearted smile. “No use in missing

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

and picked

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

negotiations went smoothly, and once they were finalized, they left

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

*Hamilton.”

paused in her tracks as Eveleen

contacted me in two

“Did you contact me?”

does that mean you won’t

Natalia stood there, feeling utterly

remarked as if she had only just noticed Natalia.

in Eveleen’s direction. “Hello, Ms.

you’ve really gone the extra mile, trekking all this way to accompany

my job, after all. Plus, the fee

generous.

fee, Hamilton shot Natalia a

away. “I’m going to

had

do you always have to give her a hard time?”

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Chapter 38

Hamilton. “Oh, are

in my inner circle. Can’t I speak up for

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

you going to ask me to stay?” she

at her

shot him a glare before reclaiming her

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

she was immediately confronted

a step

to Natalia’s midsection. “Ms. Jenkins, you’re quite the dedicated employee to come on a business trip with Hamilton in your condition.”

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

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

was bringing it up again.

“What’s wrong with accompanying Mr. Fowler on a

here you are,

looked away, saying, “I’ve been feeling a bit better

Eveleen and out of the restroom, exhaling