Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart

Chapter 45
Hamilton’s hand rested on Natalia’s belly, motionless.
It wasn't the first time she’d broached the subject. At some point, it seemed as
though Natalia had set her mind on leaving him.
His voice was calm as he spoke, devoid of any emotional fluctuations. “What's
your reason, Natalia? Why do you want to end this? Have I wronged you? Or
broken any promises?”
Natalia couldn’t answer him. All through this relationship, Hamilton had always
kept his word. He never broke any of the clauses. The money was delivered on
time every month. Nor had he ever wronged her, because their relationship had
never been about love.
What did it matter if he was close with his first love? Or that he didn’t want her
child?
She had no right to blame him, let alone to reproach.
In his eyes, their relationship had always been nothing more than the simplest of
transactions between a benefactor and a companion. He had never breached
that contract by a hair’s breadth, but it was she who had.
From the very start, she had committed the taboo. She had let emotions creep
into a transaction of money and flesh. The pain seemed inevitable. It was the
punishment for not keeping to the agreement.
But how much punishment was enough? She couldn't bear it any longer.
“No.” Time seemed to stand still before Natalia finally replied, “You haven't
broken your promise, nor have you wronged me.”
Hamilton's warm lips touched the nape of her neck. “If that's the case, I don’t
want to hear such talk again. I'll take care of the child situation, and I'll make sure
that fan’s family pays for what they've done.”
Natalia took a deep breath. “It has nothing to do with that person.”
Hamilton didn't care. “Natalia, I'm a businessman. I abide by contracts or, if you
prefer, you can discuss this with my lawyer tomorrow.”
With that, Hamilton pulled her close. “Sleep. You've just had a miscarriage. Don’t
you care about your health?”
Natalia, frustrated and pale, felt a flush of anger color her cheeks. “Hamilton, why
on earth?”
noma
Hamilton's gaze was dark and intense. “Natalia, when you signed that contract,
you should have known there would come a day when you'd want to leave. Yet
you signed it, didn’t you? Since you did, don’t act as though you were coerced.”
Natalia knew she was at fault. When she signed that contract, all she wanted
was to be with Hamilton, and any terms seemed acceptable.
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Back then, she fantasized that he might fall in love with her. So, despite knowing
how unfavorable the contract was for her, she signed it.
Now, with two years left of a five—year term, she didn’t know how she could
endure.
Taking a deep breath, she tried to calm her emotions. “Hamilton, I just feel that
there's no need to continue this relationship.”
Hamilton's expression darkened slowly. “And why is there no need to continue?
Aren't you short on cash anymore? Or have you found a better offer?”
“I need money.” Natalia didn’t shy away. “l admit, I am in need of money. But rest
assured, Mr. Fowler, I haven't sought any so-called better offer.”
“Then what do you propose? Not afraid of starving?” Hamilton’s voice was tinged
with irony.
Natalia let out a bitter laugh. “No man can provide for me for a lifetime, not even
you, Mr. Fowler. In the end, I must rely on myself, mustn't I? And besides, don’t
you intend to reconcile with Eveleen? If you and Eveleen get back together,
there's even less reason for me to stay by your side.”
Hamilton's face was stoic. “Did I not say I have no immediate plans to change
companions?”
“Isn't it just a matter of time?”
“I will not during the term of our contract, Ms. Jenkins, you can be assured.”
Natalia frowned deeply. “Are you using me to spite her? There's really no need.
She seems to care a lot about you.”
“Natalia, my business with Eveleen is none of your concern. And it has nothing to
do with you.”
His gaze was deep and dark.
Natalia suddenly choked up.
Hamilton drew her into his arms. “Sleep, or I'll call my lawyer right now to discuss
the contract with you.”
Natalia closed her mouth. No one could change Hamilton's mind once it was
made up. She was angry at her lack of power to resist, and she wondered what
Hamilton really wanted by keeping her so close.
Was it just to spite Eveleen?
“I want to go stay with Scarlett after I get discharged,” Natalia said after a while.
“Isn't the house big enough for you?” Hamilton's tone was still less than pleasant.
“Scarlett is a gynecologist; she can take better care of me.”
“She has a job. Does she have the time to look after you? Or is she willing to give
up her job for you?”
Chapter 45
Natalia’s forehead creased, catching the threat in Hamilton's words. She
managed a weak smile. “Are you planning to take care of me personally, Mr.
Fowler?”
“I'll make sure you're taken care of, that’s all.”
Natalia had no more energy to argue or to drag Scarlett into her problems. “Fine.
I'll go home.”
“Hmm,” Hamilton acknowledged.
The hospital room finally fell silent, but neither of them felt like sleeping.
Natalia could hear Hamilton's heartbeat. Strong and steady. In the quiet room, it
seemed overly loud.
“How do you plan to deal with that fan’s family?” she asked after a long time.
“I'll deal with it as necessary. Ms. Jenkins, just sleep.”
In the end, Natalia said nothing more. She couldn't bring herself to forgive, nor
could she watch a father suffer unbearable consequences for his child.
So, she left it to Hamilton.
Natalia closed her eyes and fell asleep. Hamilton, however, couldn't sleep, just
watching her overly pale face with a complex gaze. After what felt like an eternity,
he too closed his eyes.
Early the next morning, Scarlett came by to give Natalia a check-up. Once she
confirmed everything was in order, she began the discharge process.
Casting a glance at Hamilton, she offered, “Mr. Fowler, if it's inconvenient for you,
I can help Natalia through her recovery.”
Hamilton's eyes lifted slightly. “I think we can manage without troubling anyone
else.”
Scarlett furrowed her brow and asked, “Are you sure you can take proper care of
her?”
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= ’
His gaze fell on Scarlett’'s name
“ ne
badge. “Dr. Scarlett, prescribing
medication without proper
authorization, failing to record
examination results in the system...
do you think you can keep your job
" .
after such breaches?” The content is
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chapter there!
Scarlett’s face turned pale. “Hamilton, you-"
Natalia quickly took hold of Scarlett’s arm.
Hamilton was known for his follow-through. A confrontation with him would only
end badly for Scarlett.
Hamilton glanced at Natalia. “Get changed. I'll go sort out the paperwork.”
After Hamilton left, Scarlett was still seething with anger. “What were you
thinking, tying yourself to that... man!”
Natalia was silent for a moment before admitting, “Scarlett, what I have with him
is just a
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Chapter 45
business deal.” She paused, then added, “Keeping the child was a breach of our
agreement. The miscarriage... it's not something’l can blame him for.”
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« : )
How can you not blame him? If he's
man enough to make a baby, he
should be man enough to take
Sp ”y
responsibility. You wouldn't have had
to hide your pregnancy, and maybe
,
then, you wouldn't have lost the
” :
baby!" The content is on
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chapter there!
The bitterness in Natalia’s heart was overwhelming.
“Between us, there's nothing but a contract. There's no use talking about
responsibility.”
“So you're just going to accept what happened? Why should he have all the
pleasure and leave you to suffer?”
Natalia looked up, forcing a smile. “He said he would compensate me.”
Scarlett’s brows knitted together.
What kind of compensation could ever make up for a woman losing her only
child?
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p . )
But she wasn't Natalia. She couldn't
So
solve Natalia's problems for her, nor
could she tell her to leave Hamilton.
In the end, all Scarlett could do was
curse Hamilton silently in her mind.
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When Hamilton returned after completing the paperwork, Natalia was ready to
go. She tried to get out of bed, but as soon as she stood up, her legs gave way.
Hamilton caught her in an instant. “If you can’t walk. Don't push yourself.”
Without another word, he scooped her into his arms.