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 the

looking at an additional two hundred

room spun

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

medical bills for Tatiana were already a hefty two hundred thousand per month.

mistake, Ms. Jenkins. You can come to the hospital to see

a long pause, she finally said, “Alright, I understand. I’ll figure

mother’s medication funds are running

“Understood.”

help but massage her temples. Her struggle to cover Tatiana’s medical expenses

Indeed, Hamilton knew exactly how to exploit one’s vulnerabilities. Using Tatiana against her was far more effective than anything else. After all, Tatiana was her last living

blame Hamilton, nor could she confront him. Discounts

obligation.

on her bed, Natalia was engulfed by a wave of helplessness. After getting dressed,

Tatiana’s bedside, Natalia felt a rare sense

want to return. Truly,

feared that if she went back, she might never muster the courage to leave again. Nor did she want to be caught between Hamilton

“Mom, please wake up soon, okay? I’m starting to feel

fell as she spoke.

small smile, “But it’s okay. Someone has been helping me these past three years. His name is Hamilton. Remember him? The crybaby from the little

wistful smile, she continued, “He’s quite formidable now. Maybe you’ll see him once you’re better. But…

whispered, “Just wake up, sooner or later.

12:39

Natalia collected the billing statement and paid every last dime she had at

leave. As she stepped out of the hospital, she bumped into Caspian,

he called out.

and asked, “Mr. Spiegel, what brings you

asked, “Have

quickly lowered her gaze. “No, it was just the

might sound presumptuous, but you can think of me as a friend or even an elder. If something’s

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

face cleared with understanding, “Oh, is

when her phone

glanced at the caller ID–It

Natalla said, “I’ve got