Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart

Chapter 77

Eveleen stood at the doorway, her arms laden with several shopping bags.

Upon seeing Natalia, she let out a chuckle. “Ms. Jenkins, I’ve brought some goodies for Hamilton. You don’t mind, do you?” Natalis glanced at her and snorted derisively before turning to walk away.

What could she possibly object to?

When she reached the study door, Natalia knocked, “Mr. Fowler, Ms. Schafer is here.”

Hamilton was perusing a report when he heard her, and as he looked up, an unusual emotion flickered through his eyes. After a moment, he said, “Let her into the study.”

Eveleen stood in the living room, her expression sour, because Natalia’s swollen lips were so conspicuous.

Even freshly showered, the redness hadn't fully subsided.

In fact, the recent bath only made the redness more pronounced. Anyone could see it was a

lover's mark.

Eveleen clenched her teeth in frustration. And when she entered the study and saw the scrape on Hamilton’s lips, her face grew even darker.

Hamilton glanced at her and chuckled, “What brings you here at this hour?” Eveleen glared at him, “If | didn’t come, would | ever see you?“

Hamilton laughed softly. “Throwing a tantrum, are we?”

He paused, then his brow furrowed in concern, “What happened to your face?”Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!

Natalia had been rather forceful today, so Eveleen’s face was still faintly flushed and swollen. A look of hurt flashed across Eveleen’s face at his question.

She glanced at Natalia, then back at Hamilton, “l must have upset Ms. Jenkins today, |

guess.”

Hamilton's expression turned stony in a second. His gaze shifted to Natalia, “Ms. Jenkins, was it you?” Natalia didn’t deny it. Having done the deed, she just had no intention of denying it, “Yes, |

did it.”

As she spoke, she met Hamilton’s gaze head-on.

She was done backing down. Staying by Hamilton’s side was a necessity. But what was

15:42

Eveleen? Why should she always vield to her? Eveleen might be Hamilton’s cherished memory, but that didn’t mean Natalia had to tolerate her relentless insults

There wasn’t a hint of evasion or guilt in Natalia’s eyes. As Hamilton noted her demeanor, his face grew colder. “Why?” he asked

Natalia let out a scoff, “Because she deserved it!

Hamilton's face was a full portrait of fury, and he slammed his pen onto the desk.

Natalia stiffened but showed no sign of backing down.

“This is your reason?” he asked.

Natalia forced a defiant smile, “Yes, that’s my reason.”

Hamilton’s gaze narrowed slightly, and Natalia knew he was angry. She had known that hitting Eveleen would anger Hamilton if he found out.

But she had done it anyway. And now, he was angry. So be it. Let him send her away if he wanted.

She faced Hamilton, “Is there anything else, Mr. Fowler?”

Hamilton crossed his arms and leaned back in his chair, his pressing gaze drilling into her.

“Apologize to Eveleen.” His voice was calm but as sharp as a blade, cutting into Natalia’s

heart.

It was always like this. His unwarranted favoritism.

“Why should | apologize?” she said, her own hurt surfacing, “Why don’t you ask Ms. Schafer what she said today?” Hamilton’s eyes narrowed further. He looked at Eveleen, who suddenly appeared so aggrieved.

“| didn’t say anything. | just asked Ms. Jenkins for some fashion advice on the clothes | bought you and she got upset. Maybe Ms. Jenkins thinks | shouldn’t be buying clothes for you.”

Eveleen’s tears came easily.

Natalia marveled at her performance as she watched. “Yes, Ms. Schafer, as long as you understand. Next time, avoid buying clothes for someone else’s boyfriend. It’s inappropriate!”

The words “boyfriend” hung heavy in the air and changed Eveleen’s expression dramatically. Even her tears stopped. She glanced at Natalia, then at Hamilton with shock.

To her surprise, Hamilton, who leaned back in his chair, didn’t deny a word.

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In a flash, Eveleen flung the bags at Hamilton and ran out crying.

Hamilton’s gaze returned to Natalia. After an eternity, he sneered, “Happy now, Ms. Jenkins?” Natalia met his gaze. “Didn't you say it was okay to say we were dating in public?”

Hamilton chuckled, but his gaze was totally icy. He stood and approached Natalia, his long fingers trailing along her chin as if she were a plaything.

“if you're my girlfriend as you claim, then act like it. Clean yourself up, get into bed, and wait. for me. We'll have some real fun when | get back.”

After this, he released her and walked out, leaving Natalia alone with the sound of the closing door and her trembling breaths. Did she win this round? Natalia thought she had won. Yet, she felt utterly defeated.

Her eyes stung, the corners tinged with red, but she didn’t let herself cry. No one would pity

her. They say the squeaky wheel gets the grease. But that only works if someone cares enough to offer it. Just like Eveleen. Returning to the living room, Natalia prepared a pot of iced water, hoping that would calm. her rattled nerves.

But Hamilton’s expressions as he said those words haunted her; he looked at her as if he was looking at a toy. He was calling her a girlfriend, yet still treating her like a plaything.

Natalia sipped her water, finding it unbearably bitter. She walked over to the liquor cabinet. and pulled out a bottle of spirits to pour herself a glass.

Every bottle was part of Hamilton's prized collection. Out of respect for his thing, she rarely touched them.

She treasured Hamilton’s every item because she didn’t want to waste them or upset him. But now, her usual caution was thrown to the wind.

Natalia carried her drink out to the balcony.

As the weather cooled, the typical hydrangeas often stopped blooming. But the ones on the balcony were still flourishing under Hamilton's tender care.

The chilly breeze carried the scent of flowers, yet it failed to dispel the heaviness in Natalia’s heart. She tilted her head back and downed the contents of her glass in one gulp.

Her phone was buzzing incessantly on the table. It was Scarlett calling.

Natalia answered. Before she could even say hello, Scarlett’s voice burst through, “Spill it, what's going on? Who are you taking to the reunion?”

Natolia gazed into the night, swallowing the bitterness welling up inside her, and managed to

say.

“Hamilton”

Scarlett was suddenly abuzz with excitement, What? What’s happened? Hamilton’s actually going with you to the reunion?” Natalia forced a smile, “Yeah”

“Wow, are you guys, like...

like you

you know?”

“No, Scarlett, Hamilton and I... it's never going to happen.”