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,

anymore, but don't expect me to find one for you. And as

the

as death, seethed with

worried glance

glared at him.

his

he ran into Elliott,

already?" Elliott asked,

Hamilton ignored him.

a scene at the

deeply. "Did

worry, I only helped her

look. "Mind

taken aback. How had

Hamilton was already walking away, leaving Elliott to head

leaving the club, just in time to

disdainfully

and called out, "Dr.

one of irritation. "What do you want, Mr.

Natalia for me," he

temper flared. Did he really think Natalia was at

you call her

was wearing thin. Natalia might reject him, but that didn't

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

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

had her, and now you're clinging 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

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

apartment, she found Natalia setting

rush? You look like you've seen a

back. I just gave him a piece

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

not like she enjoyed butting heads with

couldn't stand to see

But if you rile up

help but curse under her

"Jerk!"

expression was darker than the chilly

about any

moment, sneering before getting

away, he saw

nightgown, with a down jacket thrown

wind tousled

life - a Natalia he hadn't seen in

Hamilton's Adam's apple bobbed.

out of the car when he heard someone call