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.”

1/4

Chapter

planned long before,

protection of Eveleen wasn’t just about the money. And Natalia didn’t want to dwell on it

the ride, Mr. Fowler.”

voice was eerily calm as she reached

her wrist, but before he

stepped out of the

stared after her, his expression darkening as the phone continued to ring,

drove away, leaving her standing there,

previous sex, Natalia tidied

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

and opened

I’ve brought you some food,” said the voice of Linda, holding a

didn’t eat tonight and asked me to bring this over.”

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

to say something, but Natalia cut 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. Fowler about it.”

that, she closed the door, took out

to send

went to

…

reply from Hamilton. Natalia breathed a sigh of relief but felt an inexplicable sense of loss. She

eventually, she would.

Natalia overheard the company’s gossip.

has a new

it’s not

Chapter 117

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

Having Mr. Fowler as a boyfriend

the chatter, but Tess, her assistant,

got

spread rumors. If Mr. Fowler has a girlfriend, it’s

talking about it. Could

offered a wry smile and changed the subject. Tess, sensing

way, Boss, our department’s get–together is tonight.

almost forgotten.

details to my

got it!” Tess chirped.

let out a small sigh and

executive office

a chair in Hamilton’s office, her eyes twinkling