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.

15.43

schnapps, and had already finished an entire bottle of it. Judging by the new

the clothes and jewelry, untouched and carelessly discarded.

the matter, my girlfriend? Didn’t like the gift?”

Her eyes, red. and watery, fixed on Hamilton. And after a long silence, she laughed bitterly. “Like it? Of course I like it. I like everything you give me.”

for the corkscrew but Hamilton’s hand

eyes to meet his, “Is Mr. Fowler even forbidding me a

she stared at the man before

cool and detached, “You

her gaze

three more bottles

sleeping until you’ve finished these,” he challenged, sitting down

him and

one of cold indifference, “Need me to

I

stood up unsteadily, intending to leave. “I’ve had enough. Sorry, I lost my composure.”

She claimed.

back, “Natalia, life

don’t

filled a glass and pushed it towards her.

the man across from

you force Eveleen to drink like this?”

“Natalia, am I forcing? It was you who decided to drink. Adults need to take responsibility for

took the glass and drank down

glass each time until

her glass down in front of him, “Pour, Hamilton. Why

I Z II

The woman really didn’t give a damn about him now. She was challenging Eveleen right in front of

wanted to torment har

Bullena a danken woman seemed pointless. He pushed the bottles

tolerance,

to the bedroom, but she rushed to the bathroom and nearly

fetch her some water. When she finally stopped

water” he

her only desire

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

roared,

her tears began to flow.

speak, Natalia accused him, “Why

you treating me like this?”

cold laugh, “How have

filled with hurt, “You’re being so cruel to me.”

at her nonchalantly, “Is that even called cruel? There’s much worse, Ms. Jenkins. Would you like