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

Judging by the new bottle in her hands, she was about to crack open another.

and jewelry,

“What’s the matter, my

Hamilton. And after a long silence, she laughed bitterly.

the corkscrew but

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

with defiance as she stared at the

“You sure you

nothing, her gaze unwavering.

and placed three more bottles in

about sleeping until you’ve

stared at him

indifference, “Need me to

I

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

She claimed.

grabbed her and pulled her back, “Natalia, life isn’t

or don’t want!”

glass and pushed it

eyed the drink, then the man

Eveleen to drink like this?”

tightened on her chin, “Natalia, am I forcing? It was you who decided to drink. Adults need to take responsibility for

slightly as she took the glass and drank down

each time until his own brows began to

front of

I Z II

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

wanted to torment

He pushed the bottles aside,

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

her to the bedroom, but she rushed to the bathroom and

When

water” he

desire was

down her throat. The pain from

roared, silencing

her

could speak, Natalia

so bad? Why are you

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

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

There’s much worse, Ms. Jenkins. Would you like to