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.

stood at the hospital entrance, the picture of distress. "Ms. Jenkins, I'm sorry, I just missed Hamilton so

of revulsion at the saccharine words. Too tired to engage, she breezed past toward the interior. But Hamilton's voice

"Natalia!"

their relationship, but her demeanor remained

fact that this man had never set clear boundaries with Eveleen spoke volumes.

trying everything you can to hurt me. Isn't this what you wanted? Spare me the act. You should be out celebrating with bells on, shouldn't you? I've stepped aside. The field is yours, Ms. Schafer.

Natalia left them behind

Eveleen, trying to salvage some dignity, whispered, "I'm sorry, Hamilton. I didn't think Ms. Jenkins

"It's what you wanted,

even more forlorn, "Hamilton, you've got me all wrong. I just wanted to see

before he spoke deliberately. "From now on, keep your distance. 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

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

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 away. But eventually, he rolled down

lit up, and she nodded eagerly, ready to get into

passenger door. "Sit

was taken

getting in? Or should I

seething with indignation, reluctantly

Upon hearing about Tatiana's condition, Scarlett was so excited she nearly caught the next train back. Natalia's mood, initially dampened, brightened at her friend's infectious

flickered