Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart

Chapter 63

Hamilton’s mood had been stormy, a tempest brooding behind his steely gaze since the moment Victor had brought up Natalia. A nagging irritation crept up his spine, an unwelcome guest that refused to leave.

He had convinced himself that Victor’s comments were water off a duck’s back. After all, he had no real intentions of getting serious with Natalia. When their contract expired, she would simply move on to the next man, a mere transaction of affection for financial gain. Hamilton had never planned to let it get personal.

So, when others had shown interest in Natalia, it had rolled off him without leaving a trace. All that mattered was that she understood her place and didn’t step out of line during their arrangement.

But Victor’s blatant, repeated displays of lust had begun to grate on him like an itch he couldn’t scratch.

Glancing at his phone, he punched in a number.

“What’s up?”

Hamilton’s eyes narrowed ever so slightly. “Find something for Victor to keep busy with.”

Alden was shocked. “What?”

He could hardly believe his ears. Victor might as well have been family to Hamilton; the two had grown up together, and their bond was supposed to be solid.

Why would Hamilton suddenly find trouble with Victor?

“Didn’t you understand me? I said, find him something to do!” Hamilton’s voice had grown. colder, more distant.

Alden paused, weighing his words. “Why, though? Did something happen?”

“Nothing.” Hamilton suppressed his annoyance with the flat reply.

“But why go after Victor out of the blue? If he traces it back to us, It’s going to be awkward. moving forward.”

Hamilton lit a cigarette, the flame from his lighter casting a flickering shadow across his chiseled face, etching the contours of his discontent.

“Can’t do it? If you can’t, I’ll find someone who can.”

Alden felt a chill. He could sense his brother’s vexation, the undercurrent of unease.

After a pause, he asked cautiously, “How far do you want me to go?”

than dealing with Gideon: this time, the stakes were personal. Hamilton took a drag of his cigarette, his

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Chapter 61

loses Interest in meddling in other

he

about to sift through her fan group for Eveleen when a message pinged on her phone. It

waiting to see when you are willing to pass

hunch that Victor was

Hamilton’s response be?

Hamilton’s voice finally filled the

wanna have a go, find Ms. Jenkins yourself. Like I’ve said before, if she’s up for it, I won’t stand in

the phone tightened until her knuckles turned white. The offhand cruelty in Hamilton’s voice hurt like

had said similar things before, but hearing them firsthand was

really didn’t care–not one bit. Otherwise, how could he say

long as she was up for it, he wouldn’t stand in Victor’s way.

why did he keep warning her not to get close to any other men?

escaped Natalia’s lips as she tried to muster a calm

That’s straight from Hamilton’s mouth.”

felt heavy, but she forced

If

loose!”

laughed lightly. “Hamilton’s a man, after all. Why would he let go of a woman so easily accessible? But you, Ms. Jenkins, what’s the point of sticking

point or not is my business, not yours,

is my business, Ms. Jenkins. I’m

venom. “Victor, go chase after someone else! The mere sight of you disgusts me. Taking those photos of me, sending them to Hamilton, and now this recording… Your scheming is

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this? Sleep with me just

“Get lost!”

contemplated calling Hamilton, demanding to know why he warned her against other men while speaking so

over her casual conversations with others? If he did care, why

in the end, she couldn’t bring herself to dial. She no longer

friction she encountered was relentless, so much so that it sapped her very courage to question it. She dreaded hearing