Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart

Chapter 78

Scarlett could finally tell that something was off with Natalia’s mood the moment she heard her voice on the phone.

“What’s up, girl? Something wrong? Did that jerk Hamilton mess with you again?” she asked.

Natalia’s nose was feeling sour. She really wanted to open up to Scarlett, but the crappy relationship was such a shame to voice.

In the end, she managed only a weak remark, “No biggie; just a bit of a cold.”

Scarlett clicked her tongue sympathetically, “The weather’s turning chilly, babe. Layer up, will ya? You’re not back to full strength yet, and you gotta take care of yourself.”

“Okay.”

They chatted more before hanging up.

The doorbell rang again. Upon opening the door, Natalia found the executive secretary, Linda, standing there with a shopping bag and a box in hand.

“Mr. Fowler asked me to bring you these clothes and jewelry, said you’ll be starting work

tomorrow.”

Natalia glanced at them, took the items with a half–hearted thanks, and set them aside, “Appreciate you coming by.”

Linda hesitated, clearly having more to say.

“What is it? Something else on your mind?” Natalia inquired.

After a moment’s pause, Linda spoke up, “Ms. Jenkins, the person currently in your position isn’t the easiest to get along with. Just…be careful when you return.”

Natalia paused, then offered a thin smile, “Thanks for the heads–up.”

3

With a nod, Linda left.

Natalia closed the door; her gaze fell upon the clothes and jewelry. Perhaps this was just another one of a man’s tricks to woo a woman.

If it hadn’t been for tonight’s events, she might have been charmed. But now, she didn’t even want to spare those clothes a glance.

She tossed them onto the couch and poured herself a glass of wine

downing it in one gulp.

The bottle was empty in no time. As Natalia reached for a second bottle, the bedroom door swung open. She turned to see who it was, and a wry smile played on her lips.

“Back already?” she quipped.

Hamilton stepped inside and immediately noticed the woman by the bar, whose cheeks were flushed pink from drinking. An empty bottle stood witness to her indulgence.

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already finished an entire bottle of it. Judging by the new bottle in her hands, she was about

the couch lay the clothes and jewelry, untouched and carelessly discarded.

“What’s the matter, my girlfriend? Didn’t like the

still sense the sarcasm in his voice. Her eyes, red. and watery, fixed on Hamilton. And after a long silence, she laughed bitterly. “Like it? Of course I

reached for the corkscrew but Hamilton’s hand stopped her.

to meet his, “Is Mr. Fowler even forbidding

blazed with defiance as she stared at the man before her.

and detached, “You sure

said nothing, her gaze

sneered and placed three more bottles in

think about sleeping until you’ve

at him and remained motionless.

cold indifference, “Need

I

to leave. “I’ve

She claimed.

back, “Natalia, life isn’t

don’t

filled a glass and

eyed the drink, then the man

drink like

It was you who decided to drink. Adults need to take responsibility for

as she took the glass and

glass each time until his own brows began to

down in front of him, “Pour, Hamilton. Why have

I Z II

game tiresome. He had been angry when he returned home. The woman really didn’t give a damn about him now. She was challenging Eveleen right in front of him and tossing aside the gifts he’d given her.

to

woman seemed pointless. He pushed the bottles aside, scooped

truly toxicated Despite her high tolerance, she couldn’t

she rushed to the bathroom and

When she finally

some water” he said.

only desire

the water down her throat. The pain from his grip made her struggle violently..

roared, silencing her.

her

Before he could speak, Natalia accused him, “Why have

so bad? Why are you treating me like

a cold laugh, “How have I mistreated you, Ms. Jenkins?

hurt, “You’re being so cruel to me.”

There’s