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?”

Gideon: this time, the stakes were personal. Hamilton

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Chapter 61

he loses Interest in meddling in other people’s

he hung

through her fan group for

to pass her my way.” Victor’s voice

was referring to her. The blood drained from

would Hamilton’s

Hamilton’s voice

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

on the phone tightened until her knuckles turned white. The offhand cruelty

similar things before, but hearing them firsthand was a different kind of

care–not one bit. Otherwise, how could he say

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

did he keep warning her not to get close to any

as she tried to muster a calm response to Victor’s incoming call.

Jenkins, you heard him. That’s straight from Hamilton’s mouth.”

she forced herself

point of sending me this, Mr. Henkel? If you’re

loose!”

Why would he let go of a woman so easily accessible? But you, Ms. Jenkins, what’s the

not is my business, not yours, Mr.

it is my business, Ms. Jenkins. I’m waiting for my

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

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am? ‘Despicable‘ is a man’s middle name. How about this? Sleep with me just

“Get lost!”

her breaths coming in ragged sips. She contemplated calling Hamilton, demanding to know why

conversations with others? If he did care, why

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

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