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

was hesitance before the doctor spoke.

the discount, you’re looking at an additional two hundred thousand a month.”

room spun around

asked, frowning. “Doctor, are you certain there’s

Tatiana were already a hefty two hundred thousand per month.

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

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

Jenkins. Your mother’s medication funds are running

“Understood.”

Natalia couldn’t help but massage her temples. Her struggle to cover Tatiana’s medical expenses was hard enough as Hamilton

one’s vulnerabilities. Using Tatiana against

even blame Hamilton, nor could she confront

obligation.

engulfed by a wave of helplessness. After getting dressed,

Natalia felt a rare sense of self–pity.

return. Truly, she didn’t.

to leave again. Nor did she want to be caught between Hamilton

“Mom, please wake up soon,

tears fell as she

me these past three years. His name is Hamilton. Remember him? The crybaby from

wistful smile, she continued, “He’s quite formidable now. Maybe you’ll

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

12:39

leaving Tatiana’s room, Natalia collected the billing statement and paid every last dime she had at the

stepped out of the hospital, she

Jenkins,” he called

Natalia looked up and asked, “Mr. Spiegel, what

of answering, Caspian simply asked,

her gaze. “No, it was just the

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

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

face cleared with understanding, “Oh, is your mother here in

when her phone abruptly started

at the caller ID–It was Scarlett.

apologetic grin, Natalla said, “I’ve got to take care of something.”