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?” Awry 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

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 | 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.Content bel0ngs to Nôvel(D)r/a/ma.Org.

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, | 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? | 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.

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.”

Natalia snapped back to reality and quickly climbed into the car.

Tess, seeing Natalla’s pallor, couldn’t help but ask, “You okay?”

“lm 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

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

Tess grew more excited as she spoke. Natalia didn’t join in, but just listening scattered by thoughts. She thought that if Hamilton's first love had been anyone else, she might not have felt this way.

But it was Eveleen. Natalia gulped down the entire bottle of water, yet the bitterness in her mouth persisted, Meanwhile, in another car.

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 he listened. He didn’t interject, just nodded when necessary, Occasionally, he would offer a gentle smile.

It wasn’t until Eveleen paused that he finally looked up and spoke. “Eveleen, you shouldn’t have made my manager take a hike.”