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

you telling me to go out

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

suitable, sure, give it a shot.”

choked up. “Don’t you care for

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

he ended the call. His expression was impassive, but anyone who knew him well could tell he was anything

be like this. While Natalia seemed to walk away with ease,

on, with or without someone.

his car, his

want to make Ms.

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

aback. “What are you

took a drag, then leaned back in his seat, blowing out a plume of smoke. “I said,

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

རོ ༢༢ ;

“Of course, I’m just fine.”

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

In the end, he hung up

Fall for her?

12:31

Impossible.

never fall for

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

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

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

sparkled with interest. “You mean Ms.

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

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

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

smiled and

They talked over a

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

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

a touch

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

her smile, Caspian felt a familiar tug at his heart. She bore such a striking resemblance to his sister. It was

watched Natalia for a moment before asking,

3/5

10-1

be convenient for me to pay

his request. But since Caspian had been so helpful, she

finally returned to the office. As soon as she

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

knew where the rumor had