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 her hands, she was about to crack

the couch lay the clothes and jewelry,

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

watery, fixed on Hamilton. And after a long silence, she laughed bitterly. “Like it?

for the corkscrew but Hamilton’s hand

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

with defiance as she stared at the man

remained cool and detached, “You

said nothing, her gaze unwavering.

sneered and placed three more bottles

you’ve finished these,”

at him and

indifference, “Need me to

I

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

She claimed.

her and pulled her back, “Natalia, life

don’t want!”

filled a glass and pushed it towards her.

the man across

to drink like this?” she

“Natalia, am I forcing? It was you who decided to drink. Adults need to take responsibility for their choices!”

slightly as she took the glass and drank down one

each time until his own brows began to furrow.

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

I Z II

really didn’t give a damn

why he wanted to torment har a

a danken woman seemed pointless. He pushed the bottles aside, scooped Natalia up and camed her to the

tolerance, she couldn’t handle drinking like

to the bedroom, but she rushed

some water. When

water” he said.

only desire was to vomit

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

roared, silencing

her defiance crumbled, and her tears began to flow.

deepened. Before he could speak, Natalia accused him, “Why have

Why are you treating

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

hurt, “You’re being so cruel to me.”

even called cruel? There’s much worse, Ms. Jenkins. Would you like to see?”