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.

and quickly stepped

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

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

was suddenly

concern. But the more Scarlett

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

a sheepish smile.

said before turning to Hamilton and adding with a firm tone, “Mr. Fowler, Natalia is in this condition because of your

lifted with amusement. “Are you suggesting I haven’t been kind to her, Dr.

at him. “Then, please treat

hospital. Natalla had always been the most outstanding among their group

her at the hospital when he could, so Scarlett held back from saying

happens between Natalla and me is our business, not

wouldn’t be worth it. Besides, Hamilton was not one to go easy. on someone who had upset him. The leniency he might have shown due to Natalia’s recent miscarriage was probably exhausted

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

a look full of sympathy before

the silence. “Scarlett is just protective of me. Please don’t

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

a laugh, her smile tinged with sadness. “You’ve been more than generous. Which benefactor personally takes care of his mistress in the

2/4

13:10

to treat me like a girlfriend

face growing even more somber. He lifted her chin with his long fingers, his gaze

Jenkins, your expression

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

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

and released

think I’ve been performing

always room for improvement, Ms. Jenkins. Like last night, you did quite well,” Hamilton said, giving her an encouraging

tensed slightly recognition.”

I should

“Ms. Jenkins,

he grabbed his things and left the hospital room.

good while to get her emotions back in

in Silkwood City had

Natalia, still in a short–sleeved tee,