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

paused. “That investment was planned long before, not as compensation

didn’t matter anymore. Hamilton’s protection of Eveleen wasn’t just about the money. And Natalia

for the ride,

eerily calm as she

but before he could speak,

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

darkening as the phone

drove away, leaving her standing

Natalia

slip under the covers, there was a knock on her door. Brows

she got up and opened the door.

food,” said the voice of Linda, holding a takeout bag from

didn’t eat tonight and asked me to bring

at the bag and said, “It’s all yours. I’m not

him off with a smile. “I appreciate you coming out so late, but it won’t be necessary in the future. I’ll speak to Mr.

took out her phone, and texted Hamilton.

to send me anything anymore.]

she went

…

relief but felt an inexplicable sense of loss. She knew it would take

eventually, she would.

office, Natalia overheard the company’s gossip.

Fowler has a

not Eveleen.”

Chapter 117

Mr. Fowler’s neck and behind his ear? Man, that’s

so jealous of that woman. Having Mr. Fowler as a boyfriend must be

the chatter, but Tess,

you hear? Mr. Fowler’s got a girlfriend, and

rumors. If Mr. Fowler has a girlfriend,

said. “But everyone’s talking about it. Could

and changed the subject. Tess, sensing her mood, didn’t press further.

department’s get–together is tonight. You’re

had almost

to

got it!” Tess chirped.

out a small sigh

office at

on a chair in Hamilton’s office, her