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 doctor spoke.

at an additional two

room spun around Natalia.

frowning. “Doctor, are you certain

already

see the billing details, or can email them to

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

do, Ms. Jenkins. Your mother’s medication funds are running low.”

“Understood.”

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

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

she confront him. Discounts

obligation.

a wave of helplessness. After getting dressed, she

Natalia felt a rare sense of

return. Truly, she

never muster the courage to leave again. Nor did

eyes welled up. “Mom, please wake up soon, okay? I’m

as

“But it’s okay. Someone has been helping me these past three years. His name is Hamilton. Remember him? The crybaby from the little fishing village where we used to live.”

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

whispered, “Just wake

12:39

the billing statement and paid every last dime she had at

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

Jenkins,” he

up and asked, “Mr. Spiegel, what brings you here?”

asked, “Have

gaze. “No, it was just the wind.”

me as a friend or even an elder. If something’s troubling you, you can always share it with

carrying a tremble, “I was just up there, visiting my mom. It got

is your mother here in

again when

glanced at the caller ID–It was Scarlett.

an apologetic grin, Natalla said, “I’ve