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,

Eveleen wasn’t just about the money. And Natalia

for the

as she

wrist, but before he could speak, his phone rang

dry laugh, Natalia pulled away, stepped out of the car,

expression darkening as the phone continued

drove away, leaving her standing there, alone.

was sore from their previous sex, Natalia tidied up

the covers, there was a knock on her door. Brows furrowed, she couldn’t imagine who would come

she got up and opened the

voice of Linda, holding a

eat tonight and

bag and said, “It’s

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

she closed the door, took out her phone, and texted Hamilton.

no need to send me

she went to sleep.

…

Natalia breathed a sigh of relief but felt an inexplicable sense

eventually, she would.

the office, Natalia overheard

Fowler has a

not Eveleen.”

Chapter 117

see the scratches on Mr. Fowler’s neck and behind his ear? Man,

that woman. Having Mr.

tuned out the chatter, but Tess, her assistant, was persistent.

hear? Mr. Fowler’s got a

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

frowned and said. “But everyone’s talking about it.

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

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

almost forgotten.

the details to

it!” Tess

Natalia let out a small sigh and returned to her work.

in the executive office at the top

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