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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Chapter 120

was hesitance before

an additional two hundred thousand a

spun around

frowning. “Doctor, are you certain there’s

current medical bills for Tatiana were already

hospital to see the billing details, or can email them to you if you

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

do, Ms. Jenkins. Your mother’s medication

“Understood.”

but massage her temples. Her struggle to cover Tatiana’s medical expenses was hard enough

let out a bitter laugh. Indeed, Hamilton knew exactly how to exploit one’s vulnerabilities. Using Tatiana against her was far more effective than anything else. After

Hamilton, nor could she confront him. Discounts were never

obligation.

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

Natalia felt a rare sense of

didn’t want to return. Truly, she didn’t.

back, she might never muster the courage to leave again. Nor did she want to be caught between Hamilton and

hand, Natalia’s eyes welled up. “Mom, please wake up

as she spoke.

she regained composure with a small smile, “But it’s okay. Someone has been helping me these past three years. His

she continued, “He’s quite formidable now. Maybe you’ll see him once you’re

squeeze, she whispered, “Just wake up, sooner or later. Don’t

12:39

billing statement and paid every last dime

leave. As she stepped out of the

he

and asked, “Mr. Spiegel, what brings

of answering, Caspian simply asked, “Have you

gaze. “No, it was just the

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

voice carrying a tremble, “I

understanding, “Oh, is your mother

speak again when her phone abruptly started

the caller ID–It was Scarlett.

Natalla said, “I’ve got