Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart

Natalia’s face froze in an instant. The last person she expected to bump into here was Hamilton.

Hamilton never dined out for Italian. So, for her dates, she’d always pick an Italian bistro, assuming it was safe.

Yet, it seemed like she ran into him every time.

And there he was, with a woman Natalia didn’t recognize. From her chic attire and the glint of her jewelry, it was clear she came from a well–off background.

The woman clung to Hamilton’s arm and asked, “Hamilton, who’s this?”

Hamilton chuckled lightly. “Ms. Jenkins, aren’t you going to introduce us?”

Natalia’s lips tightened. She took a deep breath and turned to Ryan. “Ryan, this is my boss at the firm, Hamilton Fowler.”

After introducing Hamilton, she turned to him, “Mr. Fowler, this is Ryan Holzer, my college senior.”

Ryan stood up, offering Hamilton a warm handshake.

“Mr. Fowler, I’ve heard a lot about you.”

Hamilton glanced at Ryan’s extended hand, offered a smile, but instead of shaking it, his piercing gaze settled on Natalia.

“Just your boss, huh?”

Natalia’s face paled slightly. She glared at Hamilton, who just chuckled and finally shook Ryan’s hand. “I’m actually Natalia’s boyfriend.”

Natalia stiffened for a moment, then let out a self–deprecating laugh. Hamilton claiming to be her boyfriend under these circumstances wasn’t even surprising to her. In fact, she felt grateful he didn’t bluntly call himself her sugar daddy.

Both Ryan and the girl by Hamilton’s side were visibly taken aback, especially the girl, whose eyes widened at the mention of “boyfriend.”

“Boyfriend? Hamilton, since when did you have a girlfriend?”

Ryan merely gave a wry smile, looking at Natalia. Hamilton also kept his eyes on her.

“Shall we all dine together?” Hamilton asked as he glanced at Ryan. “Ryan, you wouldn’t mind, right?”

Ryan was pretty laid–back. He was just there to catch up with Natalia. As for the rest, he wasn’t in a rush. After all, he’d waited three years already, why rush this moment?

But unexpectedly, she apparently already had a boyfriend.

12:11

Chapter O

However, if it was Natalia’s boyfriend, Ryan was indeed interested in meeting him.

“Please, Mr. Fowler, have a seat,” Ryan said, still the very picture of calm and gentlemanly. demeanor.

Hamilton took a seat next to Natalia.

She tensed up a bit.

Hamilton was too close, his unique scent enveloping her as if it were a cloak around her neck. She didn’t know what he was planning, but she knew this would end awkwardly for everyone.

Taking a deep breath, Natalia stood up. “I’ve lost my appetite, Hamilton. Let’s head back.”

She turned to Ryan and said, “Ryan, I apologize, I have some matters to attend to. Let’s catch up later.”

Ryan, seeing right through Hamilton’s hostility, knew Natalia was doing this for his sake.

He just nodded at her.

“I’ll have Mr. Collin get in touch with you about the matter we discussed,” he said.

“Thank you, Ryan,” Natalia replied with a nod.

“And what about me, Bro?” Anita Fowler, Hamilton’s younger sister, piped up.

Hamilton tossed her a credit card. “Go eat whatever you want.”

With that, he left the restaurant, arm around Natalia’s waist.

In the car, Hamilton’s long fingers gripped the steering wheel, his handsome face expressionless.

Neither spoke until they stopped at a red light.

Suddenly, he reached out and grasped Natalia’s chin. “So eager to start dating your senior?”

Natalia’s lips pressed tight. “Ryan and I are just friends! If I wanted anything more, do you really think you’d still be in the picture?”

Hamilton’s eyes narrowed, then he scoffed. “So, I should thank him, is that it?”

Natalia didn’t respond. She was tired of arguing over such things with Hamilton.

Ryan was a part of her normal social life, present now and in the future. She wasn’t going to cut off her friends for him, not anymore.

Hamilton’s face darkened, but he said no more.

They arrived home in silence.

Natalia went straight to pack her belongings in the dressing room.

was almost bare.

Hamilton stood at the doorway, watching her.

“Found a place?”

“Yes, I found one.”

Hamilton’s expression soured. “That eager to move out?”

Natalia didn’t reply. She was indeed eager.

He stepped forward, grabbing her wrist, pulling her to her feet.

“So, are you having second thoughts?” Natalia looked at him squarely.

Hamilton didn’t want to admit it, but he didn’t want her to leave.

Even though he wanted to teach her a lesson, seeing her so determined to go still stung.

He’d been consumed with thoughts of her all day and night, how she could leave so easily?

Was there not a shred of reluctance?

After all, they’d shared this home for three years. Every corner was touched by her.

Yet now, confronted with her resolute eyes, he only managed a cold laugh. “You can move, but first, let’s finish what we started today.”

He spoke, then in the dressing room, began to tear at her clothes. Natalia felt a wave of humiliation, but she didn’t fight back.

Hamilton was rough, as if venting his frustrations, skipping even the most basic of pleasantries.

Natalia was in pain, but she bit her lip and endured.

When the heat of the moment took over, Natalie’s nails inevitably left reddish marks on the nape of his neck, just behind his ear.

Hamilton probably sensed that her heart wasn’t in it. By the end, even her enthusiasm had waned.

He wrapped things up quickly and leaned back, lighting a cigarette.

The curling smoke made it hard to read his expression.

Natalie tidied herself up, fighting the discomfort in her body, and continued to pack her things.

“If you’re not feeling well, you could stay another night,” he offered.

Swallowing the lump in her throat, she managed a weak “No need, I can rest just as well at my place.”

Finally, in front of Hamilton, she placed a box that has held prayer beads into her suitcase.

12:11

After securing it inside, she zipped up her luggage and stood up.

But perhaps because of Hamilton’s earlier roughness, her legs buckled.

Hamilton quickly caught her. NôvelD(ram)a.ôrg owns this content.

“Thank you.” she muttered, eyes downcast. She tried to stand on her own, but Hamilton. wouldn’t let go.

“Would staying the night kill you?”

“What’s the point?” Natalie wrenched her arm free. “Mr. Fowler, if you need me, you have my

number.”

Hamilton’s face darkened, his brows knitting together. After a long pause, he finally said, “Ms. Jenkins, you sure have a knack for making it feel like business.”