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!”

should have your own life, your own

hitched. “Hamilton, are you telling me

To him, such matters should be free and unforced. If Eveleen could break up with him once, it meant

there’s someone suitable, sure, give it a shot.”

up. “Don’t you care

“Eveleen, we’ve been over

but anyone who knew him well could tell he was

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

goes on, with or

his car, his phone rang. It was Alden.

been thinking, if you want

cut him off before he

aback. “What are you talking about?”

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

a loss for words. After a moment,

བ རོ

laugh was cold. “Of course, I’m just

brief silence, he asked, “Bro, did you actually fall for

he hung up without

Fall for her?

12:31

Impossible.

never fall for

“Ms. Jenkins, got any favorite food? Any dietary

for sure, but I have to steer clear of nuts like cashews

my mother would get along like a house on fire–both with a knack for languages, both with

sparkled with interest. “You mean Ms. Delia?”

she’s Ms. Delia.

affection, and Natalia felt a twinge of envy. If only she could experience such a

her wistful expression. “Don’t worry, Ms. Jenkins,

and nodded.

from the bustle. They talked over

attention. Your miscarriage

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

Spiegel,” she said with a smile, a touch of warmth in

were hardly more than strangers, and she hadn’t

She bore such a striking resemblance to his sister. It was there in

slightly, he watched Natalia for a moment

3/5

10-1

it be convenient for me to pay a visit to your

his request. But since Caspian had been so helpful,

resting at home for a couple of days, Natalia finally returned to the office. As soon as she walked in, Tess came

you’re leaving us again. Is that

become the talk of the office. Nobody knew where the rumor had started, but indeed, it had been the subject of much discussion over the