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

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

lay the clothes and jewelry, untouched

matter, my girlfriend?

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

the corkscrew but Hamilton’s hand stopped

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

defiance as she stared at the man before

detached, “You sure you

her gaze unwavering.

sneered and placed three more

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

him and remained motionless.

was one of cold indifference, “Need me to

I

to leave. “I’ve had enough. Sorry,

She claimed.

her back, “Natalia, life isn’t always about getting what

don’t

that, he filled a glass

the drink, then the man across from

drink

It was you who decided to drink. Adults need

quivered slightly as she took the glass and drank down

her glass each time until his

of him,

I Z II

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

to torment har

bottles

toxicated Despite her high tolerance, she couldn’t

held her to the bedroom, but she rushed

water. When she finally

water” he said.

her only desire was to vomit again.

throat. The

roared,

and her

could speak, Natalia

Why are you

let out a cold laugh, “How have I mistreated you, Ms. Jenkins? Please enlighten

hurt, “You’re

her nonchalantly, “Is that even called cruel? There’s much worse,