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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12:11

Chapter O

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

seat,” Ryan said, still the very

seat next to Natalia.

tensed up

too close, 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 everyone.

a deep breath, Natalia stood up. “I’ve lost

I apologize, I have some

through Hamilton’s hostility, knew Natalia was

just nodded at her.

touch with you about the matter

you, Ryan,” Natalia replied with a

Fowler, Hamilton’s younger sister,

13

her a credit card. “Go eat whatever you

that, he left the restaurant, arm around

fingers gripped the steering wheel,

spoke until they stopped at a

and grasped Natalia’s chin. “So eager

lips pressed tight. “Ryan and I are just friends! If I wanted anything more, do you really think you’d still be in the picture?”

eyes narrowed, then he scoffed. “So, I should thank him, is that it?”

She was tired of arguing over

a part of her normal social life, present now and in the future.

face darkened, but he said no more.

home in

her belongings in the dressing

was almost bare.

the doorway,

“Found a place?”

found

soured. “That eager

didn’t reply. She

wrist, pulling her to

second thoughts?” Natalia looked at him squarely.

to admit it, but he didn’t want her

teach her a lesson, seeing her so determined to

all day and night, how she could leave so easily?