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

bottle of it. Judging by the new bottle in her hands, she

clothes and jewelry, untouched and carelessly

my girlfriend? Didn’t like

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

for the corkscrew but Hamilton’s hand stopped her.

her bleary eyes to meet his, “Is

eyes blazed with defiance as she stared at

remained cool and detached, “You sure you wanna keep

nothing, her gaze

and placed three more bottles in front of her.

about sleeping until you’ve finished these,” he challenged,

at him and

cold indifference, “Need

I

unsteadily, intending to leave. “I’ve had enough. Sorry, I lost my

She claimed.

and pulled her back, “Natalia, life isn’t

don’t want!”

that, he filled a glass and pushed it

the drink, then the man

to drink like this?” she inquired.

on her chin, “Natalia, am I forcing? It was you who decided to drink.

she took the glass and drank down one after

each time until his

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

I Z II

a damn about him now. She was challenging

he wanted to torment har a

pushed the bottles aside,

her high tolerance, she couldn’t handle drinking

but she rushed to

some water. When she finally stopped

water” he

desire was to vomit again.

throat. The pain from his grip made

he roared,

defiance crumbled, and her tears began to

frown deepened. Before he could speak, Natalia

Why are you treating me

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

voice was filled with hurt, “You’re being so cruel to

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