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 just orbit around

breath hitched. “Hamilton, are you telling

and unforced. If Eveleen could break up with him once, it

someone suitable, sure,

choked up. “Don’t you

we’ve been over for a long time, and you know that

impassive, but anyone who knew him well

split with Natalia would 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

Hamilton got into his car, his phone rang. It was

thinking, if you want to make

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

aback. “What

his seat, blowing out a plume of smoke. “I said, we’re

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

རོན བ རོ ༢༢ ;

“Of course,

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

the end, he hung up without a word.

Fall for her?

12:31

Impossible.

would never fall for anyone.

asked, “Ms. Jenkins, got any

moment. “I’ve got a sweet tooth for sure, but I have to steer clear of nuts like cashews and almonds, allergic reaction waiting to happen. Other than that, I’m good.”

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; you’d

sparkled with interest. “You mean

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

and Natalia felt a twinge of envy. If

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

and nodded.

the bustle. They

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

whole thing. She had suffered a miscarriage, that was the hard truth, but she didn’t

touch of warmth in her voice despite the circumstances.

hardly more than strangers, and she hadn’t expected him to offer his

bore such a striking resemblance to

he watched Natalia for a

3/5

10-1

it be convenient for me to pay a visit to your

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

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

leaving us

where the rumor had started, but indeed, it had been the subject of much discussion over the past few