Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart

Chapter 122

Natalia was at a loss for words when asked about her relationship with Hamilton.

The truth was, there was no “treating her well” to speak of–it was purely transactional.

“It’s okay, I guess.” she replied with a forced smile, recalling the past three years of what could be termed as pleasant business dealings.

But Ryan saw through her facade, noting the hint of sadness in her eyes. He wanted to ask more, to delve deeper, but he hesitated, aware of the intrusion it would be.

After a long silence, he finally spoke up, “Natalia, I’ve always liked you.”

It took a lot of guts for Ryan to confess his feelings. He had been searching for Natalia for three years and had waited just as long for a chance with her. He was overjoyed when she suddenly reached out to him, but to his dismay, she was involved with someone else.

He knew it wasn’t the right moment to express his feelings, yet he couldn’t help but make his affections known. Even if she couldn’t reciprocate, he wanted her to know she had an option in him, a fallback if things with the other man turned sour.

Natalia, taken aback, could only manage a bitter chuckle. “Ryan, I’m not the good girl you think I am. You deserve someone better.”

With her complicated past and current entanglements with Hamilton, Natalia didn’t see herself as a catch. Ryan, with his good looks, abilities, and family background, should be with someone untainted by scandal, not someone like her, with a tarnished reputation.

Ryan just smiled softly. “Natalia, I’m not trying to mess up your relationship. I just want you to know that if you ever find yourself unhappy, I can be an option for you. No pressure.”

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His voice was gentle, and his manner never rushed. Ryan had always been a man of decorum, a true gentleman, unlike the superficial charm of Hamilton.

Natalia was at a loss for words, but Ryan didn’t press the matter further and instead shifted the conversation to lighter topics. Natalia was rather thankful he spared her any discomfort.

The car moved quietly through the night, classical music playing softly in the background. Ryan only dropped Natalia off at the entrance to her apartment complex before leaving.

As Natalia walked in, she saw Hamilton waiting for her, a cigarette between his fingers. He didn’t move when he saw her; he just raised an eyebrow and chuckled.

“Ms. Jenkins, seems like you’re forgetting who you are,” Hamilton remarked.

Taking a deep breath, Natalia tried to explain, “I had dinner with Collin tonight. I’ve signed a contract with the Foreign Affairs Department. I’ll be doing some consulting work for them.”

Hamilton just watched her, saying nothing more.

Natalia, feeling the conversation was over, turned and headed for her apartment. Hamilton

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stubbed out his cigarette and followed her inside, carrying a box of condoms from his car. Both knew what was going to happen next.

for his own gratification before showering, dressing,

this was the nature of their arrangement and that she should accept it. She had to.

sleep. She had hoped the real estate agent was right,

soon as your name comes up, they lose interest. What’s going on? Is there a problem with

likely behind this. She

busy,

the point?” Natalia

and hung up.

but powerless, Natalia instructed the agent to keep

the agent called her with a

house. Please, make sure you’re there

and rushed

arriving, her heart sank. Gideon Chappelle stood at the door, a sinister smile on his

greeted him, “Mr. Chappelle,

eyes greedily roamed over her. “I’m here to see the

way with her once before, only for Hamilton to intervene. Since

he had heard that Natalia and Hamilton had a falling out,

her this

I have with Hamilton!”

composure.

you really think I don’t know you’ve had a fallout with Hamilton?”

a lovers‘ tiff. You should know better than to

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dialed Hamilton’s number right in front of Gideon.

call even connected, Gideon surged forward, his anger boiling over

fury; he grasped Natalia by

his dealings. But after waiting for so long, Gideon would not let his

eyes. He pried open Natalia’s mouth and forced

it out, but he made her swallow it against her

the kick of my pill or your savior Hamilton arriving. Once

She knew too well

you scared Hamilton will have your head for this?”

you who shamelessly climbed into my

trembled with

Hamilton deals with his enemies. And besides, hasn’t Victor been spreading rumors about me seducing him? Guess why Hamilton went after Victor’s business not too long ago?”

changed instantly, his

company and had been puzzled by the animosity between

fell into place, and

but to cross Hamilton for