Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart

Chapter 48

Natalia’s heart felt as though it had been carved out with a sharp blade. Drawing a deep breath, she forced a smile at Hamilton. “Do you think I’ll ever have children again?”

Hamilton’s frown deepened as he looked at the smile on her face. He hadn’t wanted to see her looking so defeated, but now, her smile seemed to weigh even heavier on his heart.

“Once our contract is up, whether or not you have kids is your own business, Ms. Jenkins. But for the duration that you’re with me, I won’t be responsible for another pregnancy.”

Natalia laughed again, a touch of defiance in her voice. “Why wait for the contract to end? Mr. Fowler, you could let me go now, and once I’ve recovered, I could find a man to start a family with right away.”

Hamilton’s expression turned icy in an instant, his laugh humorless. “And who would that be? Victor? Or maybe your dear Lionel?”

Natalia averted her gaze. “There’s nothing between Lionel and me, and Victor isn’t fit to be the father of my children. As for who I choose, any man could give me a child. It’s not like I need you for that.”

Hamilton’s eyes narrowed dangerously. “Natalia, don’t talk like that in front of me.”

Her eyes still glistened with unshed tears. “What? I don’t even have the freedom to speak now? Didn’t you say I could find another man?”

A chill flickered across Hamilton’s deep–set eyes.

Natalia knew he was angry, yet she stubbornly refused to back down.

Just then, Hamilton’s phone rang again, its familiar tone breaking the tense standoff. After it stopped ringing on its own, Hamilton spoke. “Do whatever you want.”

With that, he strode out the door. The sound of the security door slamming echoed through the apartment.

The nanny, standing in the living room, was at a loss for words, unsure how to comfort Natalia. After a moment, she approached Natalia’s bedroom. “Ms. Jenkins, are you alright?”

Natalia was silent for a moment before replying. “I’m fine.”

With that, she lay down.

The nanny, sensing the mood, didn’t say more. Though she’d only had brief interactions with them, she could tell their relationship was far from that of a typical couple. Who else would formally address each other as “Mr. Fowler” and “Ms. Jenkins“?

But after all, she was just the nanny and it wasn’t her place to comment. She simply told Natalia to rest well before leaving.

The room fell silent.

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Chapter 48

bed, staring at the ceiling, Natalia couldn’t understand why she was being so confrontational with Hamilton. It

much for her to bear. Her three years of

another child?

never imagined her relationship with Hamilton. would come to this. Even though she couldn’t blame him

still felt

he had been willing to keep the child, might the outcome have been different? But he had so

heart seemed to be cooling bit by bit. Her love for him was diminishing just as gradually. When it finally reached

able to treat Hamilton with

to drift off to sleep, Scarlett called. “How

“I’m okay, just

course, you’re weak. Do you have any idea how much blood you lost last

didn’t know, but she was aware she had started bleeding in the car. “Is

good care of you?”

hummed an affirmative. “He’s taking very good care of me, even hired a

me.”

sounded surprised. “He’s not completely heartless, then.”

Natalia chuckled.

were merely a business deal, Hamilton had indeed done his duty. Not only had he refrained from blaming her for keeping secrets, but he had also

after.

I’ll come by when I have time.”

“Sure.”

longer and before hanging up, Scarlett mentioned, “Oh, by the way, you’ll be fully recovered by the time our high school reunion comes

too upset

“Alright.”

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fell asleep soon

the nanny urging her

have

to orient herself before asking, “Is Hamilton back?”

he hadn’t taken Eveleen’s call in front of her was probably the most dignity he could afford her. And of course, Eveleen was injured; he wouldn’t just ignore her. After all, she was his first love, his untainted angel. That he hadn’t stayed with Eveleen to change her bandages after bringing Natalia

breath, Natalia said, “Alright, I’ll