Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart

Chapter 117

The words stung Natalia more than she cared to admit. Even though she’d braced herself against the slings and arrows of Hamilton’s scorn, his voice still sliced through her defenses.

She held back the dull ache in her heart and straightened her spine, ready to leave the room, but Hamilton was quicker, his hand reaching for the doorknob before her.

“I’ll drive you home,” he offered.

Natalia sidestepped him and said, “No need, I can grab a cab.”

Hamilton snorted, “Ms. Jenkins, you should at least let me know where you live.”

With her eyes cast downward, Natalia ignored Hamilton before her. She’d resolved not to love anymore, so why did it still hurt?

“Mr. Fowler, if you need me, I’ll come. So, you don’t need to know where I live.”

Hamilton, however, picked up her suitcase as if to make a point.

The standoff was interrupted by the familiar ringtone from Hamilton’s phone, adding a layer of awkwardness to the already tense atmosphere.

“Maybe you should take Ms. Schafer’s call first, Mr. Fowler. After all, she’s the apple of your eye,” Natalia said with a hint of sarcasm, pushing past Hamilton and out the door.

Ignoring the call, Hamilton grabbed Natalia’s suitcase and pressed the elevator button.

Natalia wanted to say something, anything, but couldn’t bring herself to speak. Deep down, she knew that even if she didn’t let him come now, if he wanted to, he would, sooner or later.

The silence in the can was heavy, only the tension between them filling the space. Hamilton’s face was a thundercloud, and his phone relentlessly buzzed in the background.

Eveleen seemed determined to reach him.

Natalia couldn’t help but chuckle, “Why don’t you pull over and take the call, Mr. Fowler?”

He glanced her way, his face twisted in annoyance. “Ms. Jenkins, you’re becoming quite the busybody.”

She chose silence after that, and the car fell quiet once more. It wasn’t until they pulled into her apartment complex that Hamilton spoke again.

“Did Eveleen visit you yesterday?”

Natalia didn’t deny it. If Hamilton was asking, it meant he already knew.

“Yes.”

“What did she tell you?”

Natalia laughed, “She said you invested a hefty sum in the Schafer family to make it up to her.”

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Chapter

was planned long before, not as compensation to her.”

didn’t respond. It didn’t matter anymore. Hamilton’s protection of Eveleen wasn’t just about the money. And Natalia didn’t want to dwell on it

the ride, Mr.

was eerily calm as she reached for the door.

he could speak, his phone rang again.

laugh, Natalia pulled away, stepped out of the car, and didn’t look

darkening as the

away, leaving her standing there, alone.

sore from their previous sex, Natalia tidied up before taking a long, hot shower and preparing

as she was about to slip under the covers, there was a knock on her door. Brows furrowed, she couldn’t imagine who would come at this

and opened the door.

said the voice of Linda, holding a takeout bag

said you didn’t eat tonight and asked me

bag and said, “It’s all yours. I’m

but Natalia cut him off with a smile. “I appreciate you coming out so late, but it won’t be necessary

took

need to send

went to sleep.

…

relief but felt an inexplicable

eventually, she would.

at the office, Natalia overheard the company’s

has a new girlfriend.”

it’s not Eveleen.”

Chapter 117

you see the scratches on Mr. Fowler’s neck and behind his

jealous of that woman. Having Mr. Fowler

the chatter, but Tess,

did you hear? Mr. Fowler’s got

or spread rumors. If Mr. Fowler

talking about it. Could it really be

subject. Tess, sensing her mood, didn’t press

way, Boss, our department’s get–together is tonight. You’re good to go, right?”

had almost

details to my

it!” Tess chirped.

out a small sigh

executive office

Hamilton’s office, her eyes twinkling with curiosity