Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart

Chapter 91

Natalia’s loshes quivered uncontrollably as Hamilton’s words echoed through her mind. She couldn’t deny the power he still held over her, the way a single sentence from him could send her thoughts spiraling into chaos.

Clutching her fingers tightly, she tried to ignore the flutter of emotions that she knew sha shouldn’t entertain. After a long silence, she finally asked, “Why? You’ve never cared before, have you?”

Hamilton looked at her silently, his face unreadable. It felt like an eternity passed before he finally spoke, his expression cold and tinged with a touch of brooding darkness.

7

“I may not care,” he said, “but I will not allow what’s mine to be coveted or touched by anyone.

else.”

At that moment, Natalia felt a sharp pain in her heart.

So, that was it. That was the reason. And it made sense.

He would take action simply because something of his was desired by others, not because of her. To him, it didn’t matter if it was a cat he had adopted or a dog he had fed; he would act just the same.

Struggling to keep her composure, Natalia forced a slight smile. “Alright, I understand.”

Hamilton studied her. “What did you think I was doing?”

A bitter laugh escaped her lips. “Nothing, I was just overthinking it.”

Hamilton chuckled lightly. “Oh? And what were you overthinking?”

Taking a deep breath, Natalia shot back, “I thought maybe you felt sorry for me, and that’s why you helped.”

Raising an eyebrow, he gave a half–smile. “You can think that if you want.”

Suppressing the sour taste of defeat, Natalia laughed weakly, “If you’re done, Mr. Fowler, I’ll be on my way.”

But Hamilton stopped her. “Leaving just like that, Ms. Jenkins?”

Her lips tightened.

her wrist, his touch gentle yet deliberate. “Can’t you say something sweet or do

and although she was capable of it, she didn’t want to play

defiantly. “What do you want to hear, Mr. Fowler? ‘I like you,

174

15:48

tightened momentarily before he let out a cold

he

relationship was defined by a

“I apologize,

for teasing. He pointed to the contract and said, “I’ll review this closely. If there are no issues, I’ll let you know. You can go now.”

maintained her poise, though her inner turmoil was barely

pale reflection in the mirror, she gave a wry smile. She knew better than anyone that she should let go

to find a sliver of evidence that Hamilton had some affection for

Maybe it was pride, as Alden said. She wasn’t ready to accept that her three years companionship couldn’t stir a flicker of emotion; especially

it was love, persistent despite

of

and it

restroom. Passing the pantry, she heard the chatter of the younger

out upon

“What’s

party?

almost New Year, and department gatherings were common. However, Natalia had been too dispirited to organize one this year, so

let me know,” she said.

“Boss, everyone wants to bring their plus–ones. Is that

Bring whoever you

playfully. “What about you, Boss? We could invite some extra

life further. “No, I’m not interested in dating

Tess on the shoulder. “I’m busy, and you should get back to

15:48

“Okay.”

office, Natalia finally relaxed.

sent you the

“Thanks,” she replied.

the risks for your mother on the road, but the costs are astronomical. How much have