Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart

Chapter 116

Natalia’s face froze in an instant. The last person she expected to bump into here was Hamilton.

Hamilton never dined out for Italian. So, for her dates, she’d always pick an Italian bistro, assuming it was safe.

Yet, it seemed like she ran into him every time.

And there he was, with a woman Natalia didn’t recognize. From her chic attire and the glint of her jewelry, it was clear she came from a well–off background.

The woman clung to Hamilton’s arm and asked, “Hamilton, who’s this?”

Hamilton chuckled lightly. “Ms. Jenkins, aren’t you going to introduce us?”

Natalia’s lips tightened. She took a deep breath and turned to Ryan. “Ryan, this is my boss at the firm, Hamilton Fowler.”

After introducing Hamilton, she turned to him, “Mr. Fowler, this is Ryan Holzer, my college senior.”

Ryan stood up, offering Hamilton a warm handshake.

“Mr. Fowler, I’ve heard a lot about you.”

Hamilton glanced at Ryan’s extended hand, offered a smile, but instead of shaking it, his piercing gaze settled on Natalia.

“Just your boss, huh?”

Natalia’s face paled slightly. She glared at Hamilton, who just chuckled and finally shook Ryan’s hand. “I’m actually Natalia’s boyfriend.”

Natalia stiffened for a moment, then let out a self–deprecating laugh. Hamilton claiming to be her boyfriend under these circumstances wasn’t even surprising to her. In fact, she felt grateful he didn’t bluntly call himself her sugar daddy.

Both Ryan and the girl by Hamilton’s side were visibly taken aback, especially the girl, whose eyes widened at the mention of “boyfriend.”

“Boyfriend? Hamilton, since when did you have a girlfriend?”

Ryan merely gave a wry smile, looking at Natalia. Hamilton also kept his eyes on her.

“Shall we all dine together?” Hamilton asked as he glanced at Ryan. “Ryan, you wouldn’t mind, right?”

Ryan was pretty laid–back. He was just there to catch up with Natalia. As for the rest, he wasn’t in a rush. After all, he’d waited three years already, why rush this moment?

But unexpectedly, she apparently already had a boyfriend.

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Chapter O

if it was Natalia’s boyfriend, Ryan was indeed interested

said, still the very

seat next to

up

his unique scent enveloping her as if it were a cloak around her neck. She didn’t know what he was planning, but she knew this would end awkwardly for

“I’ve lost my appetite, Hamilton.

to Ryan and said, “Ryan, I apologize, I have some

knew Natalia was doing

just nodded at her.

you about the matter we discussed,” he

you, Ryan,” Natalia replied with a nod.

Anita Fowler, Hamilton’s younger

13

tossed her a credit card. “Go

the restaurant, arm around

the steering wheel, his handsome

stopped at a

reached out and grasped Natalia’s chin. “So eager to start dating

wanted anything more, do you really think you’d still be

then he scoffed. “So, I should

tired of arguing over such things

life, present now and in the

face darkened, but he said no

arrived home in

straight to pack her

was almost bare.

at the doorway, watching

“Found a place?”

I found

eager to

reply. She was

grabbing her wrist, pulling her to her feet.

second thoughts?”

didn’t want to admit it, but he

though he wanted to teach her a lesson,

been consumed with thoughts of her all day and night, how