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.

reached out, taking hold of her wrist, his touch gentle yet deliberate. “Can’t you say something sweet or do something

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

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

174

15:48

he let out a cold

those words. You know well enough that between us,” he paused briefly,

a

fell. “I apologize, I’ve crossed

mood for teasing. He pointed to the contract and said, “I’ll review this closely. If there are

Hamilton’s office, Natalia maintained her poise, though her inner turmoil was barely concealed. In the

in the mirror, she gave a wry smile. She knew better than anyone that she should let go of false hopes, yet she couldn’t help

evidence that Hamilton had some affection for

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 the heartache and

of

a towering presence in her heart over twenty years, and it was not easy to say goodbye. It was a love without

the pantry, she heard the chatter of the younger

Tess called out upon seeing her.

paused. “What’s

dinner party? Other departments are doing

common. However, Natalia had been too

and let me know,” she

to bring their plus–ones. Is

Bring whoever

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

further. “No,

“I’m busy, and you should get back to work,

15:48

“Okay.”

office, Natalia finally relaxed. Scarlett

you the sanatorium’s

“Thanks,” she replied.

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