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!”

“Eveleen, you should have your own life, your own loves, not

breath hitched. “Hamilton, are you telling me to go out

Eveleen’s love life. To 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

there’s someone suitable, sure, give it

choked up. “Don’t you care for

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

was impassive, but anyone who knew him well could tell he was

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

on, with

his car, his phone rang.

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

off before he

taken aback. “What

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

a loss for words. After a moment, he

བ རོ ༢༢ ; ༦

was cold. “Of course, I’m just fine.”

After a brief silence, he asked, “Bro, did you actually fall for Ms.

end, he hung up without a

Fall for her?

12:31

Impossible.

never fall for

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

tooth for sure, but I have to steer clear of nuts like cashews and almonds, allergic reaction waiting to happen. Other than that,

paused 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

with interest. “You

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

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

worry, Ms. Jenkins, your mother will get better in time,”

and nodded.

to a cozy bistro tucked away from the bustle. They talked over

draw a lot of attention. Your miscarriage might become public knowledge, but I’ll do my best to request

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

she said with a smile, a touch of warmth in her

Caspian were hardly more than strangers, and she hadn’t expected him to

such a striking resemblance to his sister. It was

Natalia for a

3/5

10-1

to pay a visit to your

his request. But since Caspian had been so

Natalia finally returned to the office. As soon as

us again. Is

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