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.”

silent, not responding.

let go of her. He lounged

me, how’s he like? This person who’s

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

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

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

to look at Hamilton. “He forgot about me.”

have amnesia? Or did he just not care enough to remember

sure. When I saw

up and exposing the sorrow brimming

eyes.

he scoffed.

that he, Hamilton, was the one she had always cared for. But the next

Chapter 38

years ago,” she repeated. “Mr. Fowler, rest assured,

It wouldn’t change how he felt

asked, “Do you miss him?”

composed herself and gave him a light–hearted smile. “No use in missing him. He’s

he’s not yours, it’s best to move on. Otherwise,

that, he released her and picked up his laptop to continue

of Hamilton’s moods were not

smoothly, and once they were finalized, they left

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

*Hamilton.”

in her tracks as Eveleen approached them.

me in two

“Did you

does that mean you won’t either?”

quarrel. Natalia stood there, feeling utterly out of place. Taking a deep breath, she averted

here too?” Eveleen remarked as if she had

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

mile, trekking all

after all. Plus, the fee

generous.

the fee, Hamilton shot Natalia a cryptic

going to take a

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

have to give her a hard

3/6

Chapter 38

“Oh, are you feeling

lightly. “She is, after all, in my inner circle. Can’t I speak up for her now and then?”

Hamilton didn’t go after her. But

going to ask me

at

glare before reclaiming her seat beside him.

made it hard

from the restroom, she was immediately confronted by

a step back, putting distance between

to Natalia’s midsection. “Ms. Jenkins, you’re quite the dedicated employee to

mind buzzed. She forced a smile. “I’m not

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

bringing

nonchalant, Natalia replied, “What’s wrong with accompanying

you are, Ms. Jenkins, traveling despite

a bit better lately. Sorry to have worried you,

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