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.

Hamilton finally let go of her. He lounged back on the sofa, looking

person who’s had Ms. Jenkins pining

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

wasn’t exactly lying. Hamilton, in her childhood,

“Kind to you, but not with you? Are you sure he isn’t just leading you on,

turned to look at Hamilton. “He

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

the surge of sadness. “I’m not sure. When I saw him again, he didn’t

look up

eyes.

scoffed.

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

Chapter 38

assured,

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

he asked, “Do you miss

smile. “No use in missing him. He’s not mine, and that’s the clearest fact

ambiguously. “Ms. Jenkins, if you know he’s not yours, it’s best to move on. Otherwise, you’re just setting yourself up for

that, he released her and picked up his

said nothing more. The whims of Hamilton’s moods were not

once they were finalized,

had barely stepped in when someone called

*Hamilton.”

paused in her tracks as Eveleen

you haven’t contacted me in two days.”

raised an eyebrow. “Did you contact

does that mean you won’t either?”

lover’s quarrel. Natalia stood

here too?” Eveleen remarked as if she had only

gave a slight nod in Eveleen’s direction.

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

after all. Plus, the fee Mr. Fowler offers is

generous.

the fee, Hamilton shot Natalia

to take a breather over there.”

away. Once Natalia had settled herself, Hamilton turned his attention back to Eveleen.

do you always have to give her

3/6

Chapter 38

are you feeling protective now, Hamilton?”

inner circle. Can’t I

go after her. But in

me to

just smiled at

a glare before reclaiming

that made it hard to breathe. She rose and

from the restroom, she was immediately confronted by Eveleen.

Schafer.” Natalia took a step back, putting distance between

Jenkins, you’re quite the dedicated employee to come on a business trip with Hamilton in

“I’m not

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

bringing it up again.

with accompanying Mr. Fowler on a business trip?”

are, Ms. Jenkins, traveling despite being sick. Is your company that

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

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