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

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

the clothes and jewelry, untouched and

the matter, my girlfriend? Didn’t like

still sense the sarcasm in his voice. Her eyes, red. and watery, fixed on Hamilton. And after a long silence,

but Hamilton’s hand

lifted her bleary eyes to meet his, “Is Mr. Fowler

with defiance as she stared at the

detached, “You sure you wanna keep drinking?”

nothing, her gaze

and placed three more

don’t even think about sleeping until you’ve finished these,” he

him

cold indifference, “Need me to

I

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

She claimed.

her back, “Natalia,

or don’t

that, he filled a glass and pushed it

the

to drink like this?” she

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

slightly as she took the glass and drank down

time until his own brows

set her glass down in front of

I Z II

been angry when he returned home. The woman really didn’t give a damn about him

wanted to torment har a bit.

pushed the bottles aside, scooped Natalia up and

truly toxicated Despite her high tolerance, she couldn’t handle drinking

she rushed to the bathroom and nearly

her some water. When she finally stopped retching, he pulled

some water” he

only desire

he forced the water down her throat. The

roared, silencing

and her tears began to

could speak, Natalia accused him, “Why have

bad? Why are you treating me like

he let out a cold laugh, “How have

“You’re being so cruel

There’s much worse, Ms. Jenkins.