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?"

then turned to Eveleen, his stance softening

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

stood and left the room, plunging

pale as death,

glance at her. "He's serious

glared at him. "Shut

his own concern

Hamilton exited the Crest Club, he

Elliott asked,

Hamilton ignored him.

scene at the hospital today.

furrowed deeply. "Did you handle

I only helped

a look. "Mind

How had he become the

away, leaving Elliott to head into

after leaving the club, just in time to catch Dr. Scarlett returning

eyes, she spat disdainfully in his direction before

her gesture and called out, "Dr.

of irritation. "What do you

for me," he said,

he really think Natalia was at his

don't you

Natalia might reject him, but that didn't

won't deal with you just because you're Natalia's friend, Scarlett," he warned, his

of fear but didn't want to give in to a man she considered a

When she miscarried, you were heartless. When she fell from the cliff, you were with Eveleen. And now

ran into the building, heart pounding, relieved when Hamilton didn't

she

You look like you've seen a ghost,"

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

fights with him on my behalf anymore.

not like

stand to

rile up Hamilton, we might

but

"Jerk!"

Hamilton's expression was darker

just about any Tom, Dick, or Harry felt entitled to badmouth him

there for a moment, sneering before getting back into

drive away, he saw

nightgown, with a down jacket

tousled

picture of domestic life - a

Hamilton's Adam's apple bobbed.

of the car when he heard