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.

sensed his irritation and quickly stepped in front of

just go straight home,”

kept mentioning how

she was

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

see that Hamilton, despite his polished appearance, was as domineering and unreasonable as any privileged scion could be. She had intended

her a sheepish

adding with a firm tone, “Mr. Fowler, Natalia is in this condition because of your

suggesting I haven’t been kind to her, Dr.

at him. “Then, please treat Natalla even better.”

Natalla had always been the most outstanding among their group of friends. Smart and beautiful,

back from saying more. But his tone and attitude today, as if they were the ones being unreasonable, grated on

Scarlett. don’t make me remind you that what happens between

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

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

before huffing at Hamilton

Hamilton, Natalia broke the silence. “Scarlett is just protective

narrowed slightly, his displeasure evident. “So, you also think I haven’t been treating you well?” he

generous. Which benefactor personally takes

2/4

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can’t exactly expect you to treat me like a girlfriend or a wife. I’m

He lifted her chin with his long fingers, his gaze intense

Jenkins, your expression tells a different

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

sarcasm. “Well, that will depend

finished speaking and released

think I’ve been performing well

did quite well,” Hamilton said, giving

tensed slightly

they clenched together. “Then I should

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

grabbed his things and left the hospital room.

while to get her emotions back in

downpour, the weather in Silkwood

was brisk, and Natalia, still in a short–sleeved