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?"

Eveleen, his stance softening

for you. And as for everything else, I'm done intervening. Eveleen, no one can indulge

Hamilton stood and left the room, plunging it once again into an eerie

death,

a worried glance at her. "He's serious this

glared at him.

shrugged, his own concern

Club, he ran into

already?" Elliott asked,

Hamilton ignored him.

"Natalia's father made a scene at the

furrowed deeply. "Did

nodded. "But don't worry, I only helped her because

a look.

was taken aback. How had he

Hamilton was already walking away, leaving Elliott to head into Crest Club

Lotus Estates after leaving the club, just in time to

disdainfully in his

saw her gesture and called out,

her expression one of irritation.

for me," he

really think Natalia was at his

you

was wearing thin. Natalia might reject him, but

because

to give in to a man

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

into the building, heart

in her apartment, she found

like you've seen

jerk's back. I just gave him a piece of

need to pick fights with him on my behalf anymore. He's got a screw

not like

couldn't stand to

fine. But if you rile up Hamilton, we might all

help but curse under her

"Jerk!"

was darker than the chilly

to the fact that just about any Tom, Dick, or Harry felt

for a moment, sneering

as he was about to drive away, he saw

wearing just a nightgown, with a

wind tousled

- a Natalia

Hamilton's Adam's apple bobbed.

about to step out of the car when he