Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart

Chapter 143**_______

Natalia, without another word, turned on her heel and strode out the door.

Caspian watched the scene unfold, his brow creasing in concern. He glanced at Hamilton’s phone, then stood up and gave his shoulder a gentle pat.

“Look, if you can’t shake her off, you need to clear the decks before you try to win her back. As long as you’ve got another woman on the hook, ready to play footsie with you at

a moment’s notice, she’s not going to have a change of heart.”

Hamilton looked down and drew a cigarette from his pack. “Don’t stir the pot. It’s bad enough as it is.”

Caspian couldn’t help but smirk. “Ms. Jenkins is back on the market, which means anyone can set their cap for her now. If not me, someone else will, right?”

With that, Caspian didn’t linger. He gathered his things and headed out. He could tell Hamilton hadn’t let go yet, but if he was really trying to hold on, he should be showing it, not just mouthing platitudes.

Caspian didn’t feel like giving him a nudge, though. This was Hamilton’s own mess to

clean up,

and if it ended in tears, well, he’d have to dry his own eyes.

Deep down, Caspian had a soft spot for Natalia, charmed, perhaps, by her looks.

Hamilton never answered that call, letting it go to voicemail. Not long after the disconnect, the phone buzzed to life again. Eyeing the incoming call, Hamilton pinched the bridge of his nose before answering.

“Eveleen, what’s up?”

Her voice came through teary and distressed. “Hamilton, I’ve got this awful pain in my forehead.”

Listening to her, Hamilton’s mind inexplicably drifted to Natalia, to the dream where she cried out in pain, tears streaming down her face. But from the moment she woke, she never once complained of pain in front of him.

Hamilton massaged his forehead, trying to muster patience. “Have you taken any painkillers?”

Eveleen’s voice wavered even more. “Yes, but they’re not working.”

Hamilton was silent.

After what felt like an eternity, he finally said, “Eveleen, in times like these, a doctor will do you more good than I can.”

There was a pause on the other end. “Hamilton, are you saying you won’t help me?”

12:30

Hamilton picked up the cup Natalia had just used, his long fingers tracing the damp rim.

I’ve already arranged for you to see a doctor. Don’t worry, there won’t be any scars on that pretty forehead of yours.”

“But I want you to be with me!”

“Eveleen, you should have your own life, your own loves, not just

telling

meddle in Eveleen’s love life. To him, such matters should be free and unforced. If Eveleen could break up with him once, it

sure,

“Don’t you care for

gaze devoid of mirth. “Eveleen, we’ve been over

the call. His expression was impassive, but anyone who knew him

seemed to walk away with ease, it was he

with or without someone.

got into his car,

if you want to make

before he could finish. “I’ve ended things

taken aback. “What are

a drag, then leaned back in his seat, blowing out a plume of smoke. “I

words. After a moment, he ventured, “Are

བ རོ ༢༢

laugh was cold. “Of course,

knew him too well. After a brief silence, he asked, “Bro,

he hung

Fall for her?

12:31

Impossible.

would never fall for anyone.

out of the café, Caspian asked, “Ms. Jenkins, got

got a sweet tooth for sure, but I have to steer clear of nuts like cashews and almonds, allergic reaction waiting to happen. Other than that, I’m

a house on fire–both with a knack for languages, both with a

interest. “You mean Ms. Delia?”

she’s Ms. Delia.

twinge of envy. If only she could experience such a

her wistful expression. “Don’t worry, Ms. Jenkins, your mother will get better in time,”

and

They talked

to brace yourself for this case. Given Eveleen’s profile, it could draw a lot of attention. Your miscarriage might become public knowledge, but I’ll do

thing. She had suffered a miscarriage, that was the hard truth, but she didn’t want to dismiss Caspian’s kindness.

with a smile, a touch of

all, she and Caspian were hardly more than strangers, and she hadn’t expected him to offer his

resemblance to his sister. It was there in her

he watched Natalia for a

3/5

10-1

be convenient for me to pay a visit to

his request. But since Caspian had been so helpful, she didn’t question it and readily agreed.

the office. As

leaving us

was then that Natalia realized that her resignation had become the talk of the office. Nobody knew where the rumor had started,