Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart

Chapter 65

The next morning. Natalia awoke to find Hamilton already out of bed.

He was standing by the window, in a sharp sult, talking on the phone, his profile cutting a distinct silhouette against the morning light. At the sound of movement, Hamilton ended his call and turned, his gaze meeting Natalia’s.

“Ms. Jenkins, you enjoy watching me, I take it?” he teased, a playful smirk on his lips.

Natalia averted her eyes, feeling a flush creep up her cheeks.

*Why are you still here?” she asked, trying to sound nonchalant.

“I promised I’d be here to take you home from the hospital,” he said, taking a seat beside her.

Noticing her flushed cheeks, he chuckled lightly. “Ms. Jenkins, are you blushing?”

Her discomfort was evident, but she tried to dismiss it. “You’re mistaken.

But Hamilton, undeterred, reached out and gently pinched her cheek. “Ms. Jenkins, surely you don’t think I’m blind?”

He paused, a teasing lilt to his voice. “Do you find me attractive?”

Natalia’s expression tightened even more, her eyes darting away.

“No,” she lied.

Hamilton released her, his laughter soft and knowing. “If you like what you see, there’s no need to hide it. I’m not stopping you.”

Natalia bit her lip, wanting to clarify things, but some things just get more awkward the more you try to explain. So she swallowed back the words she had been about to say and let Hamilton think what he wanted.

She got up and went to the bathroom to change. When she was ready, Scarlett walked in.

“You need to take care of yourself when you get home, understand? Your health is your own responsibility,” Scarlett said with a note of concern.

Natalia nodded in agreement.

After a few more words of advice, Scarlett’s attention turned to Hamilton. “Mr. Fowler, I really think you should reconsider my earlier suggestion. If it’s inconvenient for you to look after Natalia, she’s more than welcome at my place.”

Hamilton’s brow furrowed instantly, his demeanor darkening.

his irritation and quickly stepped in front

I’ll just go straight home,”

knew Scarlett meant well. The girl kept mentioning how intimidating

was suddenly

at the thought of her friend’s concern. But the more Scarlett cared, the more Natalla didn’t

as domineering and unreasonable as any privileged scion could be. She had intended her suggestion as a reminder for Hamilton to take better care

her a sheepish smile.

“Mr. Fowler, Natalia is in this condition because of your child. I hope. for the baby’s sake, you can at

“Are you suggesting I haven’t been kind to her, Dr. Scarlett?”

at him. “Then, please treat

the hospital. Natalla had always been

at the hospital when he could, so Scarlett held back from saying more. But his tone and attitude today, as if they were the ones being unreasonable,

responded to Scarlett’s challenge. “Dr. Scarlett. don’t make me remind you that what happens between Natalla and me is our business, not yours. If you’re really that bored, I wouldn’t mind

Scarlett, it wouldn’t be worth it. Besides, Hamilton was not one to go easy. on someone who had upset him. The leniency he

call you when I get home,” Natalla sald, trying to defuse

gave Natalia a look full of sympathy before huffing at

is just

you also think I haven’t been treating you well?” he inquired, his

forced a laugh, her smile tinged with sadness. “You’ve been more than generous. Which benefactor personally takes

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you to treat me like a girlfriend or a wife. I’m well aware of my

more somber. He lifted her chin with his long

Ms. Jenkins, your expression

moment, she managed a wistful smile. “Would

laugh was laced with sarcasm. “Well, that will depend on how you perform from now on.”

and

“You don’t think I’ve been performing well enough?”

last night, you did quite well,” Hamilton said, giving her an encouraging pat on the shoulder. “I have faith in you.”

fingers tensed slightly recognition.”

they clenched together. “Then I should

laughed lightly. “Ms. Jenkins, you’re

he grabbed his things and left the

get her emotions back in

Silkwood City had taken a

Natalia, still in a short–sleeved tee, shivered