Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart

Chapter 120

Hamilton gripped Natalia’s waist, lowering his gaze upon her with an uncharacteristic tenderness in his eyes.

Natalia, momentarily dazed by the softness on his face, quickly snapped back to reality. She flashed a wry smile at him and asked, “Mr. Fowler, having second thoughts, are we?”

Watching her, Hamilton took a moment before releasing her, leaning against the wall to light a cigarette. “Natalia, I’ve given you an out. Are you sure you don’t want to reconsider?”

Without a word, Natalia turned and strode towards the door.

“Quite sure,” she said, and with that, she was out the door and gone.

Hamilton stood there, his face a stormy canvas of displeasure. After a spell, he whipped out his phone and dialed a number.

“Tonight, I want Orpheus’s assets turned upside down!”

Having made the call, Hamilton moved to the window, watching the woman disappear into the night before taking a drag of his smoke.

He had intended to let her have her little rebellion for a few more days, but tonight’s events had stirred a regret within him for letting her go.

A canary belongs in its cage, he mused. Wasn’t it better for her to stay put by his side?

Frowning into the night, Hamilton dialed another number.

Natalia, after returning home, completed her nightly routine and fell straight into bed.

Her slumber was broken by the shrill of her phone, and with bleary eyes, she recognized the

caller – Tatiana’s doctor.

Her grogginess vanished instantly as she bolted upright, wincing at a sharp pain in her side.

Ignoring the discomfort, she answered the call. “Doctor, what’s wrong? Is it my mother?”

“It’s not that,” the doctor replied, and Natalia exhaled a sigh of relief.

Natalia bit her lip, “Then what is it?”

“The thing is, Ms. Jenkins, the medication your mother has been on is imported, and it was heavily discounted because of Mr. Fowler. But it seems he no longer wishes to extend those discounts.”

Natalia felt a jolt. This was surely Hamilton’s tactic to force her return. She took a deep breath, attempting to steady her emotions.

“If the discounts are removed, what’s the monthly cost?”

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12:39

Chapter 120

hesitance before

at an additional two hundred thousand

spun

much?” she asked, frowning. “Doctor, are you certain there’s

already a hefty two hundred thousand

Jenkins. You can come to the hospital to see the billing details, or can email them to you

finally said, “Alright, I understand. I’ll figure

Your mother’s medication funds

“Understood.”

Her struggle to cover Tatiana’s medical expenses was hard enough as Hamilton

to exploit one’s vulnerabilities. Using Tatiana against her was far

couldn’t even blame Hamilton, nor could she confront him. Discounts were never his

obligation.

by a wave of helplessness. After

Natalia felt a rare

want to return. Truly,

went back, she might never muster the courage to leave again.

please wake up soon, okay?

as she

three years. His name is Hamilton.

quite formidable now. Maybe you’ll see him once you’re better. But… he probably doesn’t remember us.”

Tatiana’s hand a squeeze, she whispered, “Just wake

12:39

and

she stepped out of the hospital, she

he

up and asked, “Mr. Spiegel, what brings

answering, Caspian simply asked, “Have you

quickly lowered her gaze. “No, it was

“Ms. Jenkins, I know it might sound presumptuous, but you can think of me as a friend or even an elder.

as she turned to Casplan, her voice carrying a tremble, “I was just up there, visiting my mom. It got a

cleared with understanding, “Oh, is your mother here

when her phone abruptly started

glanced at the caller

apologetic grin, Natalla said, “I’ve got to take care