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.

discount, you’re looking at an

room spun

“Doctor, are you certain

bills for Tatiana were already a hefty two hundred thousand per month.

You can come to the hospital to see the billing

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

mother’s medication funds are running

“Understood.”

to cover Tatiana’s medical expenses was hard enough as Hamilton had just cut her commission in

against

couldn’t even blame Hamilton, nor could she confront

obligation.

bed, Natalia was engulfed by a wave of helplessness.

by Tatiana’s bedside, Natalia felt a rare

return.

that if she went back, she might never muster the courage to leave again. Nor did she want to

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

fell as she spoke.

it’s okay. Someone has been helping me these past three years. His

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

squeeze, she whispered, “Just wake up, sooner or later.

12:39

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

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

he called out.

“Mr. Spiegel, what brings you

asked, “Have you been

lowered her gaze. “No, it was just the wind.”

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

her voice carrying a tremble, “I was just up there, visiting my mom. It got a bit overwhelming.”

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

again when her phone

the caller ID–It was

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