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 much. I didn't mean anything by

words. Too tired to

"Natalia!"

the evening's events might have softened their relationship, but her demeanor

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

you can to hurt me. Isn't this what you wanted? Spare me the act. You should be

Natalia left them behind and entered the

darker by the second. Eveleen, trying to salvage some dignity, whispered, "I'm sorry, Hamilton. I

upon her. "It's what you

you've got me all wrong. I just

pale, her bandaged forehead standing out in the harsh light, evoking a fragile image. "Hamilton, are you really willing to throw away our childhood bond over Natalia? Is she worth it? She doesn't

he 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

a heart of stone, pried her hands loose and 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,

ready to get into the car. "Have you

locked the passenger door.

taken aback.

at her. "You getting in? Or

with indignation, reluctantly climbed

Natalia's mood, initially dampened, brightened at her friend's infectious enthusiasm. "Hey, by the way, Alden has been poking around about your high school crush for the past few days. It's

flickered