Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart

Chapter 167

Eveleen's heart skipped a beat, a sudden jolt that seemed to echo the hollow drop of disappointment within her.

What on earth did Hamilton mean by that?

Was the necklace-her last card-not enough to sway him?

Had Natalia become so indispensable in his life?

"Hamilton, are you really going to wash your hands off me?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper.

Hamilton lounged on the couch, his eyes resting on Eveleen's tear-streaked face, his mind involuntarily drifting to the image of Natalia sprawled on a rocky shore. A leaden weight settled in his chest, unspoken and heavy. "Actions have consequences, Eveleen. It's as simple as that."

"Hamilton! Have you forgotten..." she pleaded, her face ashen.

"You mean what happened when we were young? Eveleen, do you really think that I can really tolerate you forever because of our childhood?"

Eveleen turned pale.

The tension in the room was palpable.

The onlookers exchanged confused glances, unable to fathom what could have led Hamilton to treat Eveleen with such cold indifference.

Victor, aware of some of the undercurrents, chuckled lightly. "Hamilton, ease up, will you? Look at Evi, pale as a sheet."

"Don't worry, Eveleen. Hamilton's just pulling your leg. He wouldn't let you suffer like that."

Victor's words seemed to relax the room slightly.

But before anyone could further the conversation, Hamilton's scoff cut through the tentative calm.

"Mr. Henkel, if you want to help, go ahead. Leave me out of it."

Eveleen's fury flared at his response. Hamilton was serious about abandoning her.

"Hamilton, you're serious about this?"

Victor's brow furrowed in concern.

"Because of Natalia?"

He knew the story that others didn't. The day Natalia nearly died was linked to Eveleen, though Victor had also felt a twinge of anger. But to him, Natalia, while tragic, wasn't as vital as Eveleen. And if that was true for him, it surely had to be for Hamilton. Hamilton remained silent, his expression unreadable.

Victor's face grew stern. "Are you really falling for her? Hamilton, are you in love with her?"

Because only true feelings could explain why Hamilton was willing to push Eveleen aside for Natalia's sake.

Hamilton snorted. Love or not, what did it matter?

His actions were driven by one fact-Natalia was his woman, and he was intent on winning her back. That was all.

Casting a wary glance at Victor, Hamilton retorted, "Are you out of your mind?"

turned to Eveleen, his stance softening

won't restrict you from seeing a doctor anymore, but don't expect me to find one for you. And as for

Hamilton stood and left the room,

pale as death,

a worried glance at her.

glared at him. "Shut

shrugged, his own concern

Hamilton exited the Crest Club, he ran into Elliott, who had

Elliott

Hamilton ignored him.

arm. "Natalia's father made a scene at the hospital today.

brow furrowed deeply. "Did you handle

I

shot him a look. "Mind your

taken aback. How had he

was already walking away, leaving Elliott to head

leaving the club, just in time to catch Dr. Scarlett returning from work and spotting

spat disdainfully in his direction

saw her gesture and

of irritation. "What

he said,

think Natalia was at

don't you

reject him, but that didn't mean others

you just because you're Natalia's friend, Scarlett," he warned, his voice

fear but didn't want to give in

you agreed to split? Do you remember how much she suffered for you? When she miscarried, you were heartless. When she fell from the cliff, you were with Eveleen. And now you have the gall to come crawling back? I spit on that! Stay away from Natalia. She's been so much better off without you-men are lining up for her, and she could do better with any

Scarlett ran into the building, heart pounding, relieved

her apartment, she found

rush? You look like you've seen a ghost," Natalia

"That jerk's back. I just gave him a

to pick fights with him on my behalf anymore. He's got a screw loose. No telling when he might snap back at

it's not like she enjoyed

stand to see

But if you rile up Hamilton, we might all

but

"Jerk!"

darker than the chilly winter

the fact that just about any Tom, Dick, or

stood there for a moment, sneering

about to drive away, he saw

was wearing just a nightgown, with a

wind tousled her

domestic life - a Natalia he hadn't

Hamilton's Adam's apple bobbed.

about to step out of the car when he heard someone call