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!”

wryly. “Eveleen, you should have your own life,

breath hitched. “Hamilton, are you telling me to go out and date?”

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

suitable, sure, give

choked up. “Don’t you care

of mirth. “Eveleen, we’ve been over for a long time, and

His expression was impassive, but anyone who knew him well could

walk away with ease, it was he who couldn’t let go.

with

got into his car, his phone

been thinking, if you want

him off before he could finish. “I’ve ended things with her.”

was taken aback. “What are you

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

was at a loss for words. After a moment, he ventured, “Are you

བ རོ

cold. “Of course, I’m

brief silence, he asked, “Bro, did

silent. In the end, he hung up without a word.

Fall for her?

12:31

Impossible.

fall for anyone.

“Ms. Jenkins, got

tooth for sure, but I have to steer clear of nuts like cashews and almonds, allergic

and my mother would 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 have plenty to talk

eyes sparkled with interest. “You mean

a smile. “Out in the world, she’s Ms. Delia. At home, she’s the matriarch spoiled rotten by my

felt a twinge of envy. If only she

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

smiled and nodded.

took Natalia to a cozy bistro tucked away from the bustle. They talked over a meal, discussing the lawsuit Natalia was preparing

Given Eveleen’s profile, it could draw a lot of attention. Your miscarriage might become public knowledge, but I’ll do my best

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

a smile, a touch of warmth in her voice

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

his heart. She bore such a striking resemblance

he watched Natalia for a moment before

3/5

10-1

convenient for me to pay a visit

had been so helpful, she

a couple of days, Natalia finally returned to the office. As soon as she walked in,

leaving us again. Is that

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