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, not just

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

If Eveleen could break

suitable, sure,

you care

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

but anyone who knew him well could tell he was

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

on, with or without someone.

car, his

I’ve been thinking, if you want to make Ms. Jenkins happy-”

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

taken aback. “What are you talking about?”

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

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

རོ ༢༢

cold. “Of course, I’m just

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

silent. In the end, he hung up without

Fall for her?

12:31

Impossible.

never fall

of the café, Caspian asked, “Ms. Jenkins, got any favorite food? Any dietary restrictions?”

moment. “I’ve got a sweet tooth for sure, but I have to steer clear of nuts like cashews and almonds, allergic reaction waiting

before he burst out laughing. “You 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;

with interest. “You mean Ms. Delia?”

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

of affection, and Natalia felt a twinge of envy. If only

worry, Ms. Jenkins, your mother will get

and nodded.

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

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

understood what Caspian was getting at, and honestly, she was pretty indifferent about the whole thing. She had

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

hardly more than strangers, and she hadn’t

a familiar tug at his heart. She bore such a striking resemblance to his

a moment

3/5

10-1

me to pay

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

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

leaving us again.

then that Natalia realized that her resignation had 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 past