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

that, Hamilton hung

call, her face twisting from hurt to

Hamilton playing

condemning her to live

she inflicted it upon

was it because

It must be Natalia.

then surely, he must suspect her involvement in the supposed

her

hurled her phone across the

witnessing the scene. She had overheard

her change her name. Look where that's gotten us-stuck with a ticking time bomb!" Patrick's face matched Lucinda's in its grimness. Never had he imagined Hamilton would actually fall for Natalia, the daughter he'd cast aside, now climbing to heights his

in his connections within the medical community. Eveleen was the

name, they recoiled as if warned off by a higher power. In mere hours, Eveleen had become

pale with anger,

Hamilton trying to drive you

that wretch Natalia's doing. I hope she rots

apartment to drop things off at Scarlett's

brief pause, she

Jenkins, I heard from Ronin that you won't be joining the Ron Group anymore. Is that

"Unfortunately, I won't be able to take

deepened with seriousness. "Ms. Jenkins, if you don't mind,

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

where Mason

"Thank you, Mr. Joyner."

Jenkins, I still hope you'll consider joining

"I appreciate the opportunity, Mr. Joyner, but it seems I'm not meant to be part of

studied the woman before him, a contemporary of his son,

you're aiming for a spot at

gave a nod of

into the State Department at such a

recognized the pleasantries for what they were and

Mason's tone shifted

entrust the Silkwood City branch to you. Even if you're with the State Department, you just need to strategize for me a bit, and delegate the rest to Ronin. A little consulting on the side

Natalia's brow furrowed slightly.