Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart

Chapter 189

Hamilton's good mood evaporated in an instant.

"What did you say?" he asked, incredulity in his voice.

Natalia looked him squarely in the eye. "Do I really need to repeat myself?"

With that, she shrugged him off and walked away.

Deep down, she knew there was no point in letting these two ruin her mood. Was this kind of drama new to her? Hardly. She'd seen it all before. But still, there was something particularly nauseating about a man who would kiss her one moment and then cozy up with another woman the next. She quickened her pace toward the exit.

Hamilton caught up, his voice low as he tried to explain. "She threw herself at me. I pushed her away."

Natalia didn't even break stride. "Mr. Fowler, you don't owe me any explanations. Hug or kiss or whatever - none of it's my business. But do me a favor? Keep your theatrics away from me, okay?"

Her words once again drew a clear boundary between them.

Inside, Hamilton felt a spark of anger. "Natalia, don't you care even a little bit?"

"Why should I care?" She glanced at him, grabbed her charger, and turned back.

"Ms. Jenkins, I'm sorry, I just missed Hamilton so much. I

at the saccharine words. Too tired to engage, she breezed

"Natalia!"

demeanor remained frigid. "You

that this man had never set clear boundaries with Eveleen spoke volumes. And if he had really wanted to avoid

you've been targeting me for so long, trying everything you can to hurt me. Isn't this what you wanted? Spare me the act. You should be out celebrating with bells

left them behind and

Eveleen, trying to salvage some dignity, whispered, "I'm sorry, Hamilton. I

gaze fell upon her. "It's what you

even more forlorn, "Hamilton, you've got me all wrong. I

If you need anything, call Victor. He'll take care of it. I may have had some childhood affection for you, but it's not an inexhaustible resource." Eveleen went pale, her bandaged forehead standing out in the harsh light, evoking a

once considered his redemption. After what seemed like an eternity, he finally spoke with detachment. "Stop with the charade, Eveleen. Do you think I don't know what you're really like?" Eveleen's facade nearly crumbled, her pretense hanging by a

slammed the door shut. The car's interior muffled the outside noise, her crying a distant sound. He lit a cigarette, a headache brewing. Natalia's indifferent attitude only added to his frustration. Not caring. She truly didn't care. Even suggesting Eveleen should 'go for it.' Hamilton felt at a loss with Natalia. He'd done everything he could, apologized profusely, but she remained unmoved. Feeling suffocated, he considered just driving

and she nodded eagerly, ready to get into the car. "Have you

locked the passenger door. "Sit

taken aback.

at her. "You getting in?

reluctantly climbed into

dampened, brightened at her friend's infectious

gaze flickered briefly,