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.

distress. "Ms. Jenkins, I'm sorry, I just missed Hamilton so much. I didn't mean anything by it. Please don't misjudge him because of

words. Too tired to engage, she

"Natalia!"

had hoped that the evening's events might have softened their relationship, but her demeanor remained frigid. "You saw her. She hugged me and I pushed her off right

set clear boundaries with Eveleen spoke volumes. And if he had really wanted to avoid her, Natalia doubted anything could have stopped

so long, trying everything you can to hurt me. Isn't this what you wanted? Spare me

left them

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

what you wanted, isn't it?" he said after a

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

stretching 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 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 care about you

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 thread. "Hamilton, I'm not pretending. I do care about you. Please, don't be

a sliver of reassurance. But Hamilton, with 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

to get into the car.

the passenger

taken aback.

"You getting in? Or should I call someone to

reluctantly climbed

she nearly caught the next train back. Natalia's mood, initially dampened, brightened at her friend's infectious enthusiasm. "Hey, by the way, Alden has been poking

flickered