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

the discount, you’re looking at an additional two

spun around Natalia.

asked, frowning. “Doctor, are

medical bills for Tatiana were already a

see the billing

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

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

“Understood.”

Tatiana’s medical expenses was hard enough as Hamilton had

exactly how to exploit one’s vulnerabilities. Using Tatiana against her was far more effective than

she confront him. Discounts were never

obligation.

back on her bed, Natalia was engulfed by a wave of

Natalia felt

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

never muster the courage to leave again. Nor

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

as she spoke.

smile, “But it’s okay. Someone has been helping me these past three years.

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

a squeeze, she whispered, “Just wake up, sooner

12:39

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

she stepped out

he called out.

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

asked, “Have you been

her gaze. “No, it was

you can think of me as a friend or even an elder. If something’s troubling you, you can

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

“Oh, is your mother here

about to speak again when her phone

at the caller ID–It was Scarlett.

said, “I’ve got to take care of