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!”

chuckled wryly. “Eveleen, you should have your own life, your own loves, not just orbit

are you telling me to

never intended to meddle in Eveleen’s love life. To him, such matters should be free and unforced. If Eveleen could break up with him once, it meant her feelings weren’t that deep. And he certainly wasn’t one to cling.

suitable, sure,

choked up. “Don’t you care

was hollow, his gaze devoid of mirth. “Eveleen, we’ve been over for a

anyone who knew him well

to walk away with ease, it was he who couldn’t let go. Taking a sip of water from the

goes on, with or

moment Hamilton got into his car,

if you want to make

need,” Hamilton cut him off before he could finish. “I’ve ended

“What are you talking

back in his seat, blowing out a plume of smoke. “I said, we’re

loss for words. After

བ རོ ༢༢

was cold. “Of course, I’m just

well. After a brief silence, he

fell silent. In the end, he

Fall for her?

12:31

Impossible.

fall for

café, Caspian asked, “Ms. Jenkins, got any

to steer clear of nuts like cashews

get along like a house on fire–both with a knack for languages, both with a sweet tooth, both allergic to nuts. You really should meet her sometime; you’d

eyes sparkled with interest. “You mean

a smile. “Out in the world, she’s Ms. Delia.

felt a twinge of envy. If only she could experience such

worry, Ms. Jenkins, your mother will

and nodded.

bustle. They talked over

this case. Given Eveleen’s profile, it could draw a lot of attention. Your

whole thing. She had suffered a miscarriage, that was

a smile, a touch of warmth in

strangers, and she hadn’t expected him to offer

felt a familiar tug at his heart. She bore such a striking resemblance to his sister. It was there in her features and in

slightly, he watched Natalia for a moment before asking,

3/5

10-1

to pay a visit to your mother?”

blinked, a little puzzled by his request. But since Caspian had been

returned to the office. As soon as she

us again.

knew where the rumor had started, but