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 just

a 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 indulge you forever, not even

those final words, Hamilton stood and left the room, plunging it once again

as death,

frowned, casting a worried glance

glared at

shrugged, his own

the Crest Club, he ran into

already?" Elliott asked,

Hamilton ignored him.

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

brow furrowed deeply. "Did you handle

nodded. "But don't worry, I

him a look.

was taken aback. How had he become the

was already walking away, leaving

time to catch Dr. Scarlett returning from work and

she spat disdainfully in

and

and turned, her expression one of irritation. "What do you want,

for me," he said,

he really think Natalia was at his beck and

you call

Natalia might reject him, but that

deal with you just because you're Natalia's

to give in

you 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 away from Natalia. She's been so much better off without you-men

the building,

in her apartment, she found Natalia setting

You look like you've seen a ghost,"

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

don't need to pick fights with him on my behalf anymore. He's got a screw loose. No telling when

eyes; it's not like she enjoyed butting heads with

just couldn't stand to see Natalia

you rile up Hamilton, we might all end

but

"Jerk!"

darker than the

just about any Tom,

a moment, sneering before

was about to drive away, he saw Natalia stepping

was wearing just a nightgown, with a down jacket

wind tousled

domestic life - a Natalia he hadn't seen in

Hamilton's Adam's apple bobbed.

of the car when he heard someone