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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Chapter 122

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

straight to business, using her for his

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

the real estate agent was right, that her house would sell quickly. But the next morning, the agent called with

but as soon as your name comes up,

She called him, trying to confront the

sounded busy, probably outside.

grudges, Hamilton? What’s the point?” Natalia clutched her

just laughed and

but powerless, Natalia instructed the agent to keep looking

when she had lost all hope, the agent called her with a potential viewing.

to see the house. Please, make sure you’re there on time.”

lifted, Natalia agreed and

stood at

Natalia greeted him, “Mr. Chappelle, what a

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

with her once before, only for Hamilton to intervene. Since then, he had been craving another opportunity but had been wary of Hamilton’s influence.

a falling out, and he was eager to

her this time.

you know the relationship I have with Hamilton!” Natalia stood rigid,

composure.

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

out? It was just a lovers‘ tiff. You should know better than to take it seriously. Or should

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number right in front of Gideon.

his anger boiling over as he

he grasped Natalia by the

feared Hamilton. That man was ruthless and never showed mercy in his dealings. But after

his eyes. He pried open Natalia’s mouth and forced a pill

out, but he made her swallow it against

comes first – the kick of my pill or your savior Hamilton arriving. Once you’re under the influence,

knew too well

aren’t you scared Hamilton will have your head for

darkly. “Ms. Jenkins, it was you who shamelessly climbed into

lips trembled

him? Gideon, you should know better than anyone how Hamilton deals with his

expression changed instantly, his face contorted

heard about the sudden strike Hamilton had made on Victor’s company and had been puzzled by

place, and a grim realization dawned on

her, but to cross Hamilton for a woman like her was not worth the