Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart

Chapter 76

Natalia emerged from the mall, her heart racing like a mustang across the plains. It took a good long while before she could lasso her emotions back under control.

She hailed a cab to the hospital where Tatiana lay ill, staying by her side until the world outside was swathed in darkness.

Upon returning home, she found Hamilton already there.

“Are you a wild kitten? Can’t find your way home after a night out?” he quipped with a raised eyebrow.

Natalia shot him a look, her tone edged with a hint of frost, “Are you so idle every day?”

His face clouded over like a summer storm, “You come back here loaded for bear, Natalia?”

She turned to face him, the sting of Eveleen’s scorn flashing through her mind. She thought she wouldn’t care, yet she couldn’t help but be affected.

But she had no desire to exchange another word with him, so she just headed straight for the bedroom.

Hamilton followed with his brows knitted. “Did I ruffle your feathers somehow?” he asked.

She paused and added, “No.”

His frown didn’t lift at her response, “Then who exactly are you showing that face to?”

Her lips twitched, tempted to ask if Eveleen was on the guest list for his birthday bash. But she swallowed the words. What did it matter to her?

“Sorry,” she had regained her composure as she cracked open again, “I was just upset after visiting my mother.”

His eyes narrowed slightly, but he didn’t press further. Anyone’s mood would darken after seeing a mother in ICU for three years.

He grunted, “Don’t let it happen again.”

She nodded nonchalantly and disappeared into the changing room.

When she reemerged, she found Hamilton perusing her invitation to the high school reunion that should have been tucked away in her purse.

“You planning on attending this little walk down memory lane?” he asked, his expression unreadable.

She didn’t deny it, “Yes, I suppose I’m still allowed that much freedom, am I?”

His laugh was soft as he quipped, “Going to see that old flame from high school?”

ever so slightly. She hadn’t expected him to go there. After a moment, she

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Chapter 76

“And how do you know he won’t show?”

“I just do. He

searched hers for a sign of truth but found only sadness, which sent a

upsets you?” he

“Yes, it does. After all, I’ve liked him for a long time.”

face immediately turned to ice. Reaching over, he grasped her waist and let his cold gaze crawl

bore the pain and managed a smile, “Sure, whatever Mr.

at her words. What did she mean by that? So

you are.” He

and her eyes were shimmering with

his heartstrings as he saw her watery eyes. Suddenly, he captured her lips with

ravishing her lips and tongue before she could. react. She pushed against him, but

hiss,

him

now more vivid in their color, and slipped his finger into

humiliation. She was so upset about being treated as if

plaything.

to struggle, but he held her chin firmly. “Don’t move!”

paused at her sharp

he withdrew his hand.

him again and headed for

This fiery Natalia was

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reunion,” he declared while he leisurely wiped his hand with a tissue.

turned to look

you,” he replied casually.

on her nightgown tightened,

frowned, “Because I want to. Do I

there, struggling. “And what… what will you be going

class reunions. But what role would Hamilton play by accompanying her? He couldn’t possibly

you think my

looked away, “I don’t

dared not hope, nor let her mind wander.