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

lay the clothes and jewelry, untouched and carelessly

matter, my girlfriend? Didn’t like the

fixed on Hamilton. And after a long silence, she

for the corkscrew but Hamilton’s hand stopped

his, “Is Mr. Fowler even forbidding me

defiance as she stared at the man before

cool and detached, “You sure you wanna keep

said nothing, her gaze

placed three more bottles in

even think about sleeping until you’ve finished these,” he challenged, sitting down beside her.

him and

was one of cold indifference, “Need me to pour

I

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

She claimed.

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

or don’t want!”

he filled a glass and pushed it towards

then the man across from her.

to drink like this?”

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

as she took the glass and drank

time until

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

I Z II

he returned home. The woman really didn’t give a damn about him now. She was challenging Eveleen right in front of him and tossing aside the gifts

wanted to torment har a bit.

bottles aside, scooped Natalia up and camed her to

Despite her high tolerance, she couldn’t handle drinking like the

she rushed to the bathroom and nearly

water. When she

water”

refused, her only desire was

brow creased as he forced the water down her throat. The pain from

roared, silencing her.

her tears began to flow.

deepened. Before he could speak, Natalia accused

so bad? Why are you treating me like

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

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

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