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

planned long before, not as compensation to

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

for the ride,

calm as she reached for the

her wrist, but before he

stepped out

her, his expression darkening as the phone

drove away, leaving

her body was sore from their previous sex, Natalia tidied

a knock on her door. Brows furrowed, she couldn’t imagine who

she got up and

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

said you didn’t eat tonight and asked me

said, “It’s all yours. I’m

a smile. “I appreciate you coming out so late, but it won’t be

that, she closed the door, took out

Fowler, no need to send me anything anymore.]

she went

…

sigh of relief but felt an

eventually, she would.

office, Natalia overheard the company’s gossip.

a

it’s not

Chapter 117

the scratches on Mr. Fowler’s neck and

woman. Having Mr. Fowler as a boyfriend must be incredible.”

but Tess, her assistant, was persistent.

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

chuckled, “Tess, don’t believe or spread rumors. If Mr. Fowler has

talking about it. Could it

smile and changed the subject. Tess, sensing her mood,

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

almost forgotten.

details to

got it!” Tess chirped.

let out a small sigh and returned to her

the executive office at the top floor.

in Hamilton’s office, her eyes twinkling with curiosity as she gazed