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 loves, not just orbit around me.”

telling me to go

meddle in Eveleen’s love life. To him, such matters should be free and unforced. If Eveleen could

someone suitable, sure, give it a shot.”

up. “Don’t you

mirth. “Eveleen, we’ve been over for a long time, and you know that better than anyone.”

anyone who knew him well could tell he

with ease, it was he who couldn’t

with

into his car,

you want to make Ms.

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

taken aback. “What

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

a loss for words. After

རོ ༢༢ ;

“Of course, I’m just

him too well. After a brief silence, he asked, “Bro, did you actually fall

he hung up without a

Fall for her?

12:31

Impossible.

fall for

Jenkins, got any favorite food? Any

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

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

eyes sparkled with interest. “You mean

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

Natalia felt a twinge of envy. If only she

her wistful expression. “Don’t worry, Ms. Jenkins, your mother will get better

and nodded.

bustle. They talked over a

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

indifferent about the whole thing. She

said with a smile, a touch of

strangers, and she hadn’t expected him

bore such a striking resemblance to his sister.

for a moment

3/5

10-1

me to pay a

a little puzzled by his request. But since Caspian had been so helpful, she didn’t question it

finally returned to the office.

us again. Is that true?”

office. Nobody knew where the rumor had started, but indeed,