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 just

anymore, but don't expect me to find one for you. And as for everything else, I'm done intervening. Eveleen, no one can indulge

stood and left the room, plunging it

pale as death, seethed with

worried glance

at

his own

he ran into Elliott, who had

already?" Elliott asked,

Hamilton ignored him.

his arm. "Natalia's father made a scene at the hospital today. It's a good thing

furrowed deeply. "Did you

don't worry, I only helped her because of

a look. "Mind your own

was taken aback. How had

already walking away, leaving Elliott

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

eyes, she spat disdainfully in his direction before

and called out, "Dr.

one of irritation. "What

he said, his gaze

temper flared. Did he really think Natalia was at his

don't you call her

was wearing thin. Natalia might reject him,

because

fear but didn't want to give in

to her even though 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

the building,

apartment, she found Natalia setting

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

back. I just gave

tinged with concern, "You don't need to pick fights with him on my behalf anymore. He's

it's not like she enjoyed butting heads with

stand to

chuckled, "I'm fine. But if you rile up Hamilton,

but curse under her

"Jerk!"

darker than the chilly winter

fact that just about any Tom, Dick, or

sneering before getting back into his

he saw Natalia stepping

was wearing just a nightgown, with

tousled

of domestic life - a Natalia he

Hamilton's Adam's apple bobbed.

out of the car