Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart

Chapter 71

Natalia struggled instinctively, her body tensing against her own volition. The recent turmoil had left her somewhat resistant. But Hamilton gave her no chance to resist. He knew her body all too well. His fingers ignited a fire with their touch. She tried to dodge, but he only became more insistent.

His long legs took the opportunity to press firmly between hers.

The bright mirrors of the elevator reflected their intimacy.

Natalia opened her eyes to a hazy glimpse before closing them again.

Hamilton chuckled, shamelessly amused. “Ms. Jenkins, why so pliable?”

In the bedroom, Hamilton was always a rogue.

Each encounter was peppered with words that flushed Natalia’s cheeks.

But today, she felt only shame left. She didn’t want this.

Yet her body betrayed her, responding against her will.

Hamilton’s mood brightened with her response.

Natalia was naturally supple. She must have been a dancer. In bed, she accommodated him in every pose.

It was no surprise to him that two men had fought over her that day. A woman like her was indeed irresistible. But seeing another man’s marks on her neck unsettled him. His woman was branded by someone else.

Hamilton’s gaze darkened, “Ms. Jenkins, how exactly did you seduce Victor today?”

Hearing the name Victor snapped Natalia back to reality. It took her a moment to grasp the malice in his words. “Mr. Fowler believes | actually seduced him?”

Hamilton arched an eyebrow. He knew Natalia would never seduce Victor. But he was irked. He was looking for trouble because of his irritation.

“You didn’t seduce him?” Hamilton gripped her chin tightly, distorting her face with his force. Natalia managed a bitter smile, suddenly unwilling to endure his humiliation. Her lips curled coldly. “Then let’s say | did.” Hamilton’s eyes narrowed, his grip tightening. “Say that again.”

Instead, she suddenly embraced his neck and bit his chin softly. Not too hard, but enough to sting. And to tickle more than to hurt. “That's how | seduced.”Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

If he sought discomfort, she would oblige.

Hamilton's face turned to stone. He knew her words couldn't be true, but his anger was lit. “Natalia Hamilton barked, “You're truly fearless!”

Fuming, he dragged Natalia out of the elevator. Through the door, against the wall.

It was not a kiss, but a ravaging bite..

Natalia winced in pain, unable to push him away. “Now I’m not too dirty for Mr. Fowler?” Hamilton snorted lightly. “You are filthy!”

After saying that, he bit her shoulder hard. “To replace it with my own mark.”

She immediately regretted provoking him. “I didn’t seduce him.”

“It's too late!” Hamilton calmed only after releasing his anger. He motioned for Natalia to unbutton his shirt. “Help me, Ms. Jenkins.”

Hamilton shed his coat. He kicked the door shut and tore open her blouse. The fabric rustled as it fell.

Natalia unbuttoned his shirt one by one under his guidance, then his belt.

He whispered in her ear, “Ms. Jenkins, do you enjoy the view at night?”

Before she could grasp his meaning, she was carried to the window.

The city lights sparkled in the dark room, igniting a fiery passion.

Hamilton was insatiable, from the window to the bed, then to the bathroom.

By the time calm returned, she didn’t know how long had passed.

Exhausted, Natalia lay on the bed.

Hamilton returned, sitting beside her with ointment in hand. “Natalia, it’s time for some medicine.”

Blearily, she opened her eyes. He held an ointment.

“Sorry, | was rough.”

A flicker of discomfort crossed Natalia’s face before she regained her usual polite reserve.

“| can manage.”

Hamilton watched her, eyes narrowing, “Are you sure you can?”

Natalia glanced at the ointment. “Yes.”

But he didn’t pass it to her, instead pulling her closer. “What’s there to be shy about? Haven’t we seen it all before?”

Natalia’s face flushed with unease. Their relationship stood at an odd distance. She could share his bed-she still took his money. But she didn’t want this intimacy.

“| really can.” She reached for the ointment, but Hamilton held firm, his expression darkening. Eventually, Natalia gave in. After applying the medicine, Hamilton washed his hands. “Rest for a bit, there’s another pill to take later.”

Natalia frowned, “What pill?”

“Birth control.”

She paused, realizing Hamilton hadn’t taken precautions in his haste. Suddenly, she laughed coldly, “Sure.”

Her situation meant it hardly mattered whether she took the pill or not. She couldn’t get pregnant. But Hamilton likely wouldn’t take the chance.

The last unexpected pregnancy had crossed a line for him. How could he give her another chance?

The pill was brought soon after.

And Natalia took it with unsettling calm.

Hamilton seemed to sense her mood was off. His voice was cold, “Don’t make the same

mistake twice.”

Natalia laughed. How could she? Such a mistake would never happen again. There wasn’t even a chance for it.

“Yes, | know, Mr. Fowler. It won’t happen again.”

Hamilton thought she was just being emotional. He scoffed. “Does Ms. Jenkins want to get pregnant?”

Natalia did want it, desperately so. But it seemed she had run out of chances.

“| don’t want to think about it anymore,” she said, fighting the sour sting at the tip of her nose. Hamilton saw the reddening rims of her eyes and his brow furrowed deeper. “Then don’t get all worked up over this, Natalia. You of all people know the damage a

miscarriage can bring. If you get pregnant again, it’s your body that'll suffer, not mine. It'll just cost me some money at most,” he said with a chilling indifference. Hamilton had always been like this, cold and level-headed.

A dull pain throbbed in Natalia’s heart. She looked up at the man sitting on the edge of the bed. After a long pause, she asked, “Hamilton, do you just not like kids, or is it that you don’t like the kids | could have given you?” Alayer of frost seemed to cloak Hamilton’s face in an instant. But he didn’t avoid the

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question. His slender fingers idly played with the glass of water on the nightstand.

Finally, he spoke, “I don’t like kids.”

Natalia let out a small laugh.

So that was it. Somehow, she felt a bit relieved to hear his answer.

Hamilton stood up and glanced at her, “Let’s not talk about the child anymore. Leave it in the past.”

Natalia nodded with her eyes closed.

“Alright.”

She didn’t want to bring it up again either. It felt like ripping open a wound each time.

Hamilton nodded, “What would you like to eat?”

Natalia didn’t have an appetite for anything in particular. She just muttered, “Anything's fine.” Hamilton didn’t say much more and left the bedroom.

He ordered something easy to digest for her.

Natalia ate a little and then drifted off to sleep. She was still weak in her recovery, and Hamilton had worn her out. It didn’t take long for her to fall asleep.

After finishing his meal, Hamilton went to his study.

When he finished his work, he returned to the master bedroom.

He had been sleeping in the guest room throughout her recovery period. But tonight he didn’t want to.

Hamilton entered and saw Natalia’s face flushed in her sleep. The corners of his mouth. unwittingly curled up as he reached out to touch her cheek. But just as he did, his expression darkened.

“Natalia, wake up. You've got a fever again. I’m taking you to the hospital.”