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.

quickly stepped in front of

okay. I’ll just go straight home,” she assured.

Scarlett meant well. The girl kept mentioning how intimidating Hamilton’s aura was,

she was suddenly

at the thought of her friend’s concern. But the more Scarlett cared, the more Natalla didn’t want to cause her any trouble.

Hamilton, despite his polished appearance, was as domineering and unreasonable as any privileged scion could be.

flashed her a sheepish

with a firm tone, “Mr. Fowler, Natalia is in this

“Are you suggesting I haven’t been kind to her,

please treat Natalla

feel a surge of protectiveness, remembering Natalla braving the rain to come to the hospital. Natalla had always been the most outstanding among their group of friends. Smart and beautiful, why should she suffer at this

attentive to Natalla, visiting her 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

remind you that what happens between Natalla and me is our business, not yours. If you’re really that bored, I wouldn’t mind finding you something to

be worth it. Besides, Hamilton was not one to go easy. on someone who

ahead. I’ll call you when I get home,” Natalla sald,

gave Natalia a look full of sympathy before huffing at Hamilton and leaving the room.

Hamilton, Natalia broke the silence. “Scarlett is just protective of me. Please don’t mind her,

I haven’t been

with sadness. “You’ve been more than generous. Which benefactor personally takes

2/4

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like a girlfriend

somber. He lifted her chin with his long fingers, his gaze intense and

Ms. Jenkins, your expression tells a different

stiffened, and after a moment, she managed a wistful smile. “Would you consider treating me a little better in the

was laced with sarcasm. “Well, that will

and released Natalia.

“You don’t think I’ve been

did quite well,” Hamilton said, giving her an encouraging pat on the shoulder. “I

fingers tensed

“Then I

laughed lightly. “Ms. Jenkins, you’re too

his things

a good while to get her emotions back in check.

in Silkwood City had taken a chilly

morning breeze was brisk, and Natalia, still in a short–sleeved tee,