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

you’re looking at an additional two hundred

room spun

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

were already a hefty two hundred thousand per

to see the

she finally said, “Alright,

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

“Understood.”

cover Tatiana’s medical expenses was hard enough as Hamilton had

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

nor could she

obligation.

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

Natalia felt

want to return.

muster the courage to leave again. Nor

Natalia’s eyes welled up. “Mom, please wake up soon, okay?

fell as she spoke.

these past three years. His name

now. Maybe you’ll see him once you’re better. But… he probably doesn’t remember

wake up, sooner or later. Don’t leave

12:39

and paid every last dime she had at

she leave. As she stepped out of the hospital,

he

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

Caspian simply asked, “Have you been crying?”

quickly lowered her gaze. “No, it was just

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

her voice carrying a tremble, “I was just up there,

face cleared with understanding, “Oh, is your mother here in the hospital?”

about to speak again when her phone

the caller

“I’ve got to