Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart

Chapter 111

Hamilton’s voice cut through the air, followed promptly by another command.

“Come here.”

Natalia’s steps faltered upon hearing him, but only for a moment before she resumed her march towards the exit.

She didn’t want to stay despite realizing how awkward it would look to leave so soon after arriving as if confirming she didn’t belong in this exclusive gathering.

But the truth was, she couldn’t bear the thought of spending another minute with this crowd.

Victor’s disdain for her was mutual; she had no interest in him either. So why stay and sour her own night?

And as for Hamilton…

Natalia let out a wry chuckle. Her first love was right by his side; was she expected to stick around just to be overshadowed?

Standing tall, she didn’t hesitate as she made her way to the door.

But when Hamilton saw her determined to leave, his face darkened instantaneously.

Alden, sensing the tension, quickly reached out to stop her. “Ms. Jenkins, now that you’re here, you can’t just up and leave like this.”

Natalia offered a laugh, though it lacked mirth. “Sorry, Alden, but I really don’t like it here.”

Alden frowned, glancing at Hamilton, hoping he would say something to convince her to stay. But Hamilton remained silent, his gaze heavy on Natalia.

Victor, ever the instigator, couldn’t resist adding fuel to the fire. “Alden, let her go if she wants to. She shouldn’t have been invited in the first place. What’s the point of bringing someone like her, just to spoil the mood?”

Finally, Elliott couldn’t hold back. “Victor Henkel, that’s quite enough. Ms. Jenkins isn’t here for you.”

Victor clicked his tongue, throwing Elliott a meaningful glance. “Since when did you become so chummy with Ms. Jenkins?”

Elliott ignored him, turning to Natalia instead. “Ms. Jenkins, since you’re here, why not join us for a bit? It’s Hamilton’s birthday, after all. We should be having fun.”

Eveleen chimed in with a laugh, playing the gracious hostess. “Yeah, come and have some fun. Otherwise, it might seem like we’re not welcoming.”

Her words, dripping with an air of exclusive ownership, effectively set Natalia apart from the

group.

Natalia had no intention of staying, but Eveleen’s comment sparked a defiant streak in her. She stepped forward, moving towards Elliott. “If Ms. Schafer insists, I’ll stay and join in the festivities.

Eveleen’s smile froze on her face.

Natalia head towards Elliott. Without waiting for her to reach her destination, he stood abruptly and

and she didn’t respond but also didn’t

fell silent, a tableau of shocked faces

the definition of fury. She glared at Natalia with hatred

you doing? You’re scaring Ms. Jenkins. She’s quite

him?”

Hamilton only scoffed. “Drinks on me tonight.

that, he wrapped his arm around Natalia’s waist

entire

She was already humiliated by the evening’s turn of events. The engagement announcement she was anticipating with Hamilton had been scrapped

with Natalia, leaving her behind?

“Looks

a lackluster flick. He glanced at Eveleen. “Ms. Jenkins sure knows how to make an impression, right, Eveleen?”

stood abruptly, following Hamilton out.

straight to the parking lot.

saw Eveleen approaching, tears streaming

you really going to leave me like

door and turned to Natalia. “Get in and wait.”

climbed into the

it to Eveleen, who refused to take it. He sighed, then wiped away her

12:08

Chapter 111

scene from Inside the car, forcing a bitter smile. She really shouldn’t have

finally got back into the car. His first words

decision to walk towards Elliott instead of sitting by him and Eveleen. She had no explanation for her actions; she simply

merely murmured an apology,

“What? You feel

long moment

apartment, Hamilton was greeted by a clean, empty table–no food, no cake. His scoff

not like you’re going to

for a moment before he spoke, “Just go make me

stripping off his clothes as

still for a moment before finally heading into

from the bathroom. He glanced

spaghetti” Natalia made for him every year

and his expression finally softened a bit.

table and started eating at a

and walked towards the bathroom.

to the bedroom. He was leaning

could just barely make out the voice on

Come over, will you? None of