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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entire bottle of it. Judging by the new bottle in

the clothes and jewelry,

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

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 like

but Hamilton’s hand stopped her.

to meet his, “Is Mr. Fowler even forbidding me a drink now?”

defiance as she stared

remained cool and detached, “You sure you

her gaze

three more bottles in front of her.

you’ve finished these,” he challenged,

him and remained

was one of cold indifference, “Need me to pour you one?”

I

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

She claimed.

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

don’t want!”

a glass and pushed

eyed the drink, then the man across from her.

to drink like this?” she inquired.

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

the

time until his own brows

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

I Z II

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

wanted to torment har

the bottles aside, scooped Natalia up and camed her to the

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

she rushed to the bathroom and

When she

water”

only desire was to vomit again.

down her throat. The pain

roared, silencing

and her tears began to

he could speak, Natalia

are you treating me like

narrowed, and he let out a cold laugh, “How have I mistreated

filled with hurt, “You’re being so

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