Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart

Chapter 125

Natalia stepped out of her apartment, snowflakes gently tumbling from the sky like delicate white feathers. But her mind was clouded with the memory of Hamilton’s darkening expression when she had let those words slip from her lips.

She knew they would upset him. Yet, she had spoken them all the same.

If their relationship was destined to fizzle out, she didn’t want to cling to a shred of false hope.

Taking a deep breath to fight back the bitterness rising in her throat, Natalia cast a final glance at the glowing windows of the apartment, mustered a wry smile, and walked away.

Inside the apartment, Hamilton remained perched on the sofa, his face as cold as if frosted

over.

Time dragged on before he let out a scornful laugh.

Being with him was just a matter of convenience for her, wasn’t it? She must’ve been counting down the days until their agreement ended.

Normally, he might have admired Natalia’s pragmatism and clarity. But now, her sensibility irked him to no end.

Was being with him such a miserable ordeal?

Yet, he didn’t hold her back.

Just as Natalia had said, he wasn’t exactly pining for her. Women were hardly scarce in his life. The concessions he had made for Natalia had already pushed his boundaries too far.

He admitted his possessiveness might be a tad excessive, but he had remained indifferent when Eveleen had stirred up a breakup, so why cling to Natalia?

Hamilton chuckled dryly, carelessly lighting up a cigarette. He truly disliked this feeling of losing control.

After all, she was just a lover–no need to get worked up. She could do as she pleased.

As long as she stayed clean, body and soul, and didn’t mess around with other men, he couldn’t care less.

Once the cigarette was finished, he changed clothes and left the apartment.

The place felt empty without her, and the desire to linger vanished.

The next day at the office, Natalia ran into Alden Fowler, who seemed to have been waiting for her.

“Ms. Jenkins, did you hear my brother nearly killed Gideon last night?” Alden approached her urgently.

Natalia’s brow furrowed in confusion. “What are you talking about?”

Alden’s face was grim. “Last night, my brother almost took Gideon’s life. He went straight for Gideon’s crotch. You didn’t know?”

Natalia’s mouth opened slightly, speechless.

Had Hamilton come back bloodied last night because of Gideon?

Her heart, which had been calm, suddenly churned with turmoil.

Alden frowned at her. “Ms. Jenkins, did my brother go after Gideon because of you?”

her gaze, and after a moment,

sighed softly. “Was it also

confronted Gideon once before. You didn’t know?”

tightly together.

furious last time, but she had no

Natalia managed to ask, “Will there be

but the Browns wielded considerable clout in Silkwood City.

at her. “Ms. Jenkins, are you

with bitterness. “I just don’t want

and my brother lately? I heard you

have nothing to do with this.”

“Don’t worry. The Browns aren’t going to

gratitude.

want to press her about her relationship with his brother, but Natalia had

for a moment before sending Hamilton a message that read, [Thank you, Mr.

the night before, and Natalia knew he was likely still angry. Yet, aside from expressing her gratitude, anything else

to its final page, and the end–of–year summary meeting

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Chapter 125

saw Hamilton there, but they didn’t exchange a single glance.

the meeting, she went to the top floor, where Linda handed over the last two contracts needing Hamilton’s signature. “Ms. Jenkins, Mr. Fowler has signed these. I’ll

a moment before

a deep breath and

hesitated but decided to inform Hamilton, [Going on a trip with Scarlett,

still two hours until departure.

cover a shift during my vacation. I’m sorry, Natalia. When you get back, I’ll make it up

approaching. But her birthdays were never much of a celebration. Typically,

than that, there

I’ll go on my own,” Natalia resolved with a note of independence in her

in Natalia’s heart, a place she yearned to

once

plane touched down, it was past

suitcase through the

she remembered. The damp, icy air caught her off guard,

was dressed, the cold seemed to

scarf tighter and hailed a

was a cheerful

to enjoy the sights of

paused before answering, “I lived here for

her with surprise, “So, you’re

to the passing scenery, and she

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Year’s in River State was palpable, but she never cared much for the holidays, be it New Year’s

that took Tatiana, she had stopped