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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had Vodka schnapps, and had already finished an entire bottle of it. Judging by the new bottle in her hands, she was about

couch lay the clothes and jewelry, untouched

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

her inebriated state, Natalia could still sense 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 it. I like everything

reached for the corkscrew but Hamilton’s hand stopped

her bleary eyes to meet his, “Is

she stared at

remained cool and detached, “You sure you wanna keep

nothing, her gaze

more bottles in front of

sleeping until you’ve finished

stared at him and

indifference, “Need me to pour you one?”

I

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

She claimed.

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

or don’t want!”

that, he filled a glass and pushed it

drink, then the man across from

you force Eveleen to drink like this?”

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

as she took the glass and drank

each time until his own brows began to furrow.

glass down in front of

I Z II

returned home. The woman really didn’t give a damn about him now. She was challenging Eveleen right in front of

he wanted to torment har a bit.

He pushed the bottles aside, scooped

Despite her high tolerance, she couldn’t handle

held her to the bedroom, but she rushed to the bathroom and nearly puked her

some water. When she finally stopped retching, he

water” he

desire was to vomit

as he forced the water down her throat. The

roared,

her tears began

deepened. Before he could speak, Natalia accused

so bad? Why are you treating

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

filled with hurt, “You’re being so

cruel? There’s