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!”

your own life, your own loves,

you telling me to

If Eveleen could

someone suitable, sure, give

up. “Don’t you care

was hollow, his gaze devoid of mirth. “Eveleen, we’ve been over for a long time, and you know

impassive, but anyone who knew him well could tell he

be like this. While Natalia seemed to walk away with ease, it was he who couldn’t let go. Taking a sip of water from the cup, he stood

goes on, with or

into his car, his phone rang. It

if you want to make Ms.

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

“What are you talking about?”

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

for words. After a moment, he ventured, “Are you okay?”

རོ ༢༢

was cold. “Of course,

a brief silence, he asked, “Bro,

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

Fall for her?

12:31

Impossible.

never fall for

the café, Caspian asked, “Ms. Jenkins,

but I have to steer clear of

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 about.”

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

in the world, she’s Ms. Delia. At home, she’s

tone was full of affection, and Natalia felt a twinge of envy. If only she

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

smiled and nodded.

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

Given Eveleen’s profile, it could draw a lot of attention. Your miscarriage might become public knowledge, but I’ll do my best to request a closed hearing,” Caspian said earnestly.

She had suffered a miscarriage, that was the hard truth,

a smile, a touch of warmth in her voice

she and Caspian were hardly more than strangers, and she

resemblance to his sister. It was there in her features and in the way she carried herself.

slightly, he watched Natalia for a moment before

3/5

10-1

for me to pay

Caspian had

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

heard you’re leaving us again. Is that true?”

of the office. Nobody knew where the rumor had started,