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

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

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

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

lying. Hamilton, in her childhood, had

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

to look at Hamilton.

“Forgot? How? Does he have amnesia? Or did he just not care enough to remember

“I’m not sure. When I saw him again, he didn’t

chin, forcing her to look up and exposing the

eyes.

gaze darkened as he scoffed. “You

years ago.” Natalia met his eyes 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

years ago,” she repeated. “Mr. Fowler, rest assured, I haven’t seen him since being

change how he felt about her. It might even make him despise her

he asked, “Do

“No use in missing him. He’s not mine, and that’s

he’s not yours, it’s best

her and picked up his laptop to continue working.

not something she could easily

once they were

barely stepped in when

*Hamilton.”

in her tracks

haven’t contacted me in two days.”

raised an eyebrow. “Did you

but does that mean

like a couple in the midst of a small lover’s quarrel. Natalia stood there, feeling utterly out of place.

remarked as if she had only just

gave a slight nod in Eveleen’s direction. “Hello,

smile. “Ms. Jenkins, you’ve really gone the extra mile, trekking all this

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

generous.

the mention of the fee, Hamilton shot Natalia a

going to take a breather

had settled herself, Hamilton turned his attention back

do you always have to

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Chapter 38

“Oh, are you feeling protective

circle. Can’t I speak up for her

didn’t go after her. But in no time, Eveleen was back at his side, still

me to stay?” she

at her

before reclaiming her

in her chest that made it hard to breathe. She rose and headed for the

she was immediately confronted by

took a step back, putting

let out a cold laugh, her eyes dropping to Natalia’s midsection. “Ms. Jenkins, you’re quite the

forced a smile. “I’m not sure

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

Eveleen was bringing it up

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

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

looked away, saying, “I’ve been feeling a bit better lately. Sorry to have worried you, Ms. Schafer.”

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