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 in front of Scarlett.

just go

Scarlett meant well. The girl kept mentioning how intimidating

she was suddenly fearless?

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

wasn’t entirely confident in her own proposal. Over time, she had come to see that Hamilton, despite his polished appearance, was as domineering and unreasonable as any privileged scion could be. She had intended her suggestion as a reminder for Hamilton to take better care of Natalla, but now with an

a

if anything comes up, call me,” Scarlett said before turning to Hamilton and adding with a firm tone, “Mr. Fowler, Natalia is in this condition because of your child. I

with amusement. “Are you suggesting I haven’t been kind to

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

to the hospital. Natalla had always been the most outstanding among their group of friends. Smart and

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

as he 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,

to stop. If a few words exchanged in the heat of the moment. caused trouble for Scarlett, it wouldn’t be worth it. Besides, Hamilton was not one to go easy. on

you go ahead. I’ll call you when I get home,” Natalla sald, trying to defuse the

before huffing at Hamilton and leaving the room.

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

evident. “So, you also think I haven’t been treating you well?”

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

2/4

13:10

treat me like a girlfriend or a wife. I’m

fixed her with a stare, his face growing even more somber. He lifted her chin with his long fingers, his gaze intense and

Jenkins, your expression tells a different story.”

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

unreadable, but his laugh was laced with sarcasm. “Well,

finished speaking and released Natalia.

“You don’t think I’ve been performing well

improvement, Ms. Jenkins. Like last night, you did quite well,” Hamilton

fingers tensed slightly

I should thank you for your

“Ms. Jenkins,

grabbed his things and left

good while to get

the weather in Silkwood City had taken a chilly turn.

brisk, and Natalia, still in a short–sleeved