Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart

Chapter 15
Natalia forced a smile, her compliance just another act in the long-running play
directed by Hamilton. He'd never given her the courtesy of an out, always
expecting her to bend to his will without a moment's thought for her feelings.
Over the years, she'd learned the hard way that resistance was futile: she might
as well accept whatever task he threw her way, or endure whatever pain he saw
fit to deliver.
“Understood,” she said, heading for the door.
“Come back. Eat something first.” Hamilton's voice was firm, brooking no
argument as he settled into the armchair, flipping open a takeout box.
“I'm not hungry.”
“Ms. Jenkins?” The chill in his voice was palpable, his steely gaze locking onto
Natalia without a shred of warmth.
With a resigned sigh, Natalia turned and perched herself back on the couch.
Their meal passed in oppressive silence. Hamilton took his time, savoring each
bite with the kind of discipline that spoke of a man who prized self-control above
all else.
Natalia, on the other hand, poked at her food, her thoughts miles away. She tried
her best to ignore the ugly rumors she'd heard earlier in the day, but they still
gnawed at her, leaving an uncomfortable knot in her stomach.
Their quiet was shattered by the buzz of Hamilton’s phone. Hamilton’s voice
softened as he took the call, a rare display of gentleness that Natalia knew was
reserved for one person alone. “Trouble again? Alright, make sure you eat... Yes,
I've got to go.”
Natalia knew without asking who was on the other end. Aside from his so—called
first love, no one else could coax such tenderness from Hamilton.
“Did your old flame pop up again last night? Is that why you rushed off?” Natalia's
question was casual, but her tone held an edge.
Hamilton, busy fiddling with his state-of-the-art air purifier, glanced up at her.
“That's my business, Ms. Jenkins. Not yours.”
Two seconds of silence followed before Natalia responded, “I'm just concerned
about my job security, that’s all”
Hamilton, adding a new scent pod to the purifier, looked up again. “Are you on
the hunt for a new employer, Ms. Jenkins?”
A wry smile played on Natalia’s lips. “I can't afford to go hungry.”
Hamilton's expression darkened, his gaze heavy with unspoken threats. “Don’t
worry, your
Chapter 15
Income won't suffer. I'm not planning to replace you just yet.”
Natalia could hardly see that as a compliment. The bitterness and pain she'd
suppressed for so long were starting to numb her from the inside out. She forced
a laugh.
“Thank you, Mr. Fowler.”
Hamilton's face remained stony, and after a moment, Natalia made her exit.
Once she'd gone, Hamilton's facade cracked. He wiped down his mouth
meticulously before calling his secretary with a set of instructions.
Natalia used her lunch break to meet Scarlett, who discreetly provided her with a
stash of medications, including prenatal vitamins and folic acid, all disguised in
antacid packaging.
Returning to the office, the secretary handed Natalia a small package. “Mr.
Fowler asked me to give you this.”
Natalia frowned as she accepted it, the secretary departing with a smile.
Inside the package, she found stomach warmers, antacids, and a freshly brewed
digestive soup. Natalia’s emotions churned. Hamilton, disregarding any romantic
aspect, was indeed an excellent partner-handsome, fit, skilled in bed, wealthy,
powerful, and occasionally considerate.
If not for the baby, she mused, it might be impossible to walk away from him.
When Hamilton came back, she managed to thank him again. His reply was dry,
a reminder of their earlier office confrontation.
Hamilton gave her a look and said, “Ms. Jenkins, you are quite polite, not when
you were out of line with me in the office today.”
Silent, Natalia headed for her car, but Hamilton's voice stopped her. “Ride with
me. There's something I need to discuss on the way.”
Reluctantly, Natalia complied, the car pulling away from the curb.
As they drove, Natalia’s anxiety grew. The direction they were taking felt all too
familiar, stirring a sense of foreboding within her.
“Mr. Fowler, what are we going to do?”
Hamilton raised his eyebrows slightly. “To pick up someone and head to the
studio. Didn't you say you wanted to see the new ambassador?”
Natalia fell silent. She did want to see the new brand ambassador. But the
direction the car was traveling in made her more than a little uneasy inside.
When they finally stopped outside a well-known villa, Natalia’s heart pounded in
her chest.
Eveleen Schafer bounded out from the villa, her eyes full of adoration for
Hamilton.
“What's the rush? Can't you walk like a normal person?” Hamilton chided, though
the softness
In his tone betrayed his affection.
Eveleen pouted playfully. “I was excited to see you”
Hamilton let out a laugh, and even his eyebrows were colored with a bit of
tenderness. “You are still like a child.”
Eveleen’s lips curled up. “Isn't it good to be lively?”
After saying that, she looked towards Natalla, “Oh, I didn’t know you have
company.”
Nataba sat in the car, only to teel cold all over. Her belly now hurt so much that it
made her panic. She turned her head to look at Hamilton.
Hamilton leaned back in his seat and didn’t seem to notice her abnormality. Or
maybe, if he did,
he wouldn't even care.
Hamilton chuckled, his gaze turning to Natalia. “Ms. Jenkins, take the back seat,
please.”
Natalia’s smile was brittle as she moved her things and exited the car.
Eveleen’s voice floated back. “Hamilton, why not let her take a cab? I don’t want
anyone. interrupting us.”
Hamilton laughed gently. “There’s no cab service around here.”
“So we wait. There’s bound to be one eventually.”
Hamilton glanced at Natalia, who was struggling to maintain her composure.
“Someone will pick you up shortly. They'll take you straight to the studio for the
screen test.”
Natalia kept her smile in place, though it was a mask hiding a world of turmoil.
“Alright.”
The car door slammed shut with finality.
Visit Novelxo.org to read full content.
To :

Natalia's heart ached in waves. She
stood rooted to the spot, as if she
were drowning. A bitter taste
exploded in her chest, engulfing her
completely. Time lost meaning until

) : “ »
Tess's voice broke through, “Boss.
The content is on Novelxo.org!
Read the latest chapter there!
Natalia snapped back to reality and quickly climbed into the car.
Tess, seeing Natalla’s pallor, couldn't help but ask, “You okay?”
“I'm fine.” Natalia forced a smile.
As she spoke, she took out the prenatal vitamins that Scarlett had prepared for
her and swallowed them.
After taking the pills, Natalia leaned back and closed her eyes, trying to keep her
emotions from surging.
Tess continued to chat about Eveleen and Hamilton's situation in the car. She
had found out that Hamilton had come to pick up Eveleen today. The ex—
girlfriend, the first love, the one who
3/4
14:25
CHARADE AN
got away.
Eveleen had just returned from abroad last night, and Hamilton had been there to
escort his old tlame-too much of a coincidence,
Gossip always seemed to thrive on such tidbits, sparking excilement
Visit Novelxo.org to read full content.
Tess grew more excited as she

. ¢ Pome ne :
spoke. Natalia didn't join in, but just
listening scattered by thoughts. She
5 : ’ :
thought that if Hamilton's first love
had been anyone else, she might not
have felt this way. The content is on
Novelxo.org! Read the latest
chapter there!
But it was Eveleen.
Natalia gulped down the entire bottle of water, yet the bitterness in her mouth
persisted,
Meanwhile, in another car.
Visit Novelxo.org to read full content.
Eveleen was telling Hamilton about
her experiences abroad, Hamilton
leaned back, half-listening with a
disinterested air. He was patient in
) ~ _
Eveleen's presence. She spoke, and
s : Vis . .

he listened. He didn't interject, just
nodded when necessary,
Occasionally, he would offer a gentle
smile. The content is on
Novelxo.org! Read the latest
chapter there!
It wasn't until Eveleen paused that he finally looked up and spoke. “Eveleen, you
shouldn't have made my manager take a hike.”