Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart

Chapter 165

Hamilton picked up the call with unusual haste.

He sat on the couch, his face clouded with brooding shadows.

The housekeeper approached with a cotton swab soaked in antiseptic.

"Mr. Fowler, perhaps you should tend to that bite before it gets worse."

Blood still stained Hamilton's arm from where Natalia had sunk her teeth into him.

He glanced at the wound with detached indifference and muttered, "Leave it."

It was a mark from Natalia, a debt he intended to repay in kind.

Eveleen, on the other end of the line, overheard the housekeeper and felt a surge of hope.

Was Hamilton's injury the reason he hadn't shown up?

"Hamilton, are you hurt? Is that why you didn't come? I'll wait for you, we can postpone the surgery until you're better."

Hamilton took a drag from a freshly lit cigarette before replying, "No need to wait. The surgery's off."

Eveleen's heart skipped a beat, panic rising in her voice.

"Hamilton, you promised you wouldn't abandon me! You can't go back on your word!"

A scoff escaped Hamilton's lips.

"Eveleen, I did promise to help you with the surgery, and I said I wouldn't leave a scar. But if you're the artist behind your own scars, then it's a different story altogether." Eveleen choked up, her anxiety intensifying.

"What do you mean, Hamilton? How could I have done this to myself? I'm not crazy."

Silence was his only response, and in those moments of quiet, Eveleen's panic soared.

"Hamilton, I-"

Before she could finish, Hamilton cut in, "How many times have I warned you, Eveleen? Do you take my words for wind?"

"I didn't, Hamilton, I really didn't-"

that much, then let it adorn your face forever. Don't

Hamilton

face twisting from hurt to a seething

Hamilton

he condemning her to live with this

inflicted

it because

It must be Natalia.

Hamilton had discovered the scar was self-inflicted, then surely, he must suspect her involvement in

he'd let her live with

Eveleen hurled her

scene. She had overheard the

Never had he imagined Hamilton would actually fall for Natalia, the daughter he'd cast aside, now climbing to heights his own pampered daughter could not reach. It left him feeling as though he'd swallowed bile. "What's the rush?

within the medical community. Eveleen was the Schafer

naïve. Once doctors heard Eveleen's name, they recoiled as if warned off by a higher power. In mere hours, Eveleen

with anger, and Eveleen

to drive you to

all that wretch Natalia's doing. I hope she rots

things off at Scarlett's before heading to the hospital. Her phone rang unexpectedly-it

brief pause, she answered the

heard from Ronin that you won't be joining the Ron Group anymore.

it. "Unfortunately, I won't be able to take the position,

Jenkins, if you

silence, Natalia agreed. She had given Mason her word, and it was only

Silkwood City branch, where Mason was overseeing the

"Thank you, Mr. Joyner."

Mason didn't waste time. "Ms. Jenkins, I still hope you'll consider joining the

Natalia replied, "I appreciate the opportunity, Mr. Joyner, but it seems I'm not meant

him, a contemporary of his son, yet markedly

from Ronin that you're aiming for a spot at the State Department?" Natalia nodded affirmatively, "It's a rare

gave a nod

State Department at such a young age, Ms. Jenkins. You're going

recognized the pleasantries for what they were

tone shifted

hope to entrust the Silkwood City branch to you. Even if you're with the State Department, you

Natalia's brow furrowed slightly.