Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart (Natalia and Hamilton) novel Chapter 117

The words stung Natalia more than she cared to admit. Even though she'd braced herself against the slings and arrows of Hamilton's scorn, his voice still sliced through her defenses.

She held back the dull ache in her heart and straightened her spine, ready to leave the room, but Hamilton was quicker, his hand reaching for the doorknob before her.

"I'll drive you home," he offered.

Natalia sidestepped him and said, "No need, I can grab a cab."

Hamilton snorted, "Ms. Jenkins, you should at least let me know where you live."

With her eyes cast downward, Natalia ignored Hamilton before her. She’d resolved not to love anymore, so why did it still hurt?

"Mr. Fowler, if you need me, I'll come. So, you don't need to know where I live."

Hamilton, however, picked up her suitcase as if to make a point.

The standoff was interrupted by the familiar ringtone from Hamilton's phone, adding a layer of awkwardness to the already tense atmosphere.

"Maybe you should take Ms. Schafer's call first, Mr. Fowler. After all, she's the apple of your eye," Natalia said with a hint of sarcasm, pushing past Hamilton and out the door.

Ignoring the call, Hamilton grabbed Natalia's suitcase and pressed the elevator button.

Natalia wanted to say something, anything, but couldn't bring herself to speak. Deep down, she knew that even if she didn’t let him come now, if he wanted to, he would, sooner or later.

The silence in the car was heavy, only the tension between them filling the space. Hamilton's face was a thundercloud, and his phone relentlessly buzzed in the background.

Eveleen seemed determined to reach him.

Natalia couldn't help but chuckle, "Why don't you pull over and take the call, Mr. Fowler?"

He glanced her way, his face twisted in annoyance. "Ms. Jenkins, you're becoming quite the busybody."

She chose silence after that, and the car fell quiet once more. It wasn't until they pulled into her apartment complex that Hamilton spoke again.

"Did Eveleen visit you yesterday?"

Natalia didn't deny it. If Hamilton was asking, it meant he already knew.

"Yes."

"What did she tell you?"

Natalia laughed, "She said you invested a hefty sum in the Schafer family to make it up to her."

Hamilton paused. "That investment was planned long before, not as compensation to her."

Natalia didn’t respond. It didn't matter anymore. Hamilton’s protection of Eveleen wasn’t just about the money. And Natalia didn’t want to dwell on it any longer. She just wanted to live her life.

"Thank you for the ride, Mr. Fowler."

Her voice was eerily calm as she reached for the door.

Hamilton caught her wrist, but before he could speak, his phone rang again.

With a dry laugh, Natalia pulled away, stepped out of the car, and didn't look back.

Hamilton stared after her, his expression darkening as the phone continued to ring, unanswered.

Finally, he drove away, leaving her standing there, alone.

Back at her apartment, though her body was sore from their previous sex, Natalia tidied up before taking a long, hot shower and preparing for bed.

Just as she was about to slip under the covers, there was a knock on her door. Brows furrowed, she couldn't imagine who would come at this hour.

Reluctantly, she got up and opened the door.

"Ms. Jenkins, I've brought you some food," said the voice of Linda, holding a takeout bag from Ocean Restaurant.

"Mr. Fowler said you didn't eat tonight and asked me to bring this over."

Natalia glanced at the bag and said, "It’s all yours. I'm not hungry."

Linda tried to say something, but Natalia cut him off with a smile. "I appreciate you coming out so late, but it won't be necessary in the future. I'll speak to Mr. Fowler about it."

With that, she closed the door, took out her phone, and texted Hamilton.

[Mr. Fowler, no need to send me anything anymore.]

Then, she went to sleep.

...

The next morning, her phone was devoid of any reply from Hamilton. Natalia breathed a sigh of relief but felt an inexplicable sense of loss. She knew it would take time to adjust, but eventually, she would.