Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart (Natalia and Hamilton) novel Chapter 121

Natalia's lips were pulled tight, a line of tension that betrayed her unease.

Hamilton had thrown a curveball, but it wasn't entirely unexpected. Still, her heart felt heavy, as if it were swamped in a fog of disappointment. The man before her, it seemed, was determined to leave her with no way out.

A bitter smile crept across her face. "I did say that, but you never agreed, Mr. Fowler."

Hamilton's eyebrow arched slightly. "Ms. Jenkins, when you wanted to uncover the truth, you agreed to walk away from the house. Now that you've got your truth, you want to keep the house, too? Isn't that a bit greedy?"

The smile on his face was mask-like, devoid of any warmth in his eyes.

"Hamilton." Natalia's voice was laced with a pain she could hardly contain as she faced him. "That house... it was bought with my child's life!"

His smile vanished in an instant. He looked at her with cold eyes, and after what felt like an eternity, he finally spoke. "Natalia, save me the sob story about kids. I don't care about that."

She laughed suddenly, a sound that was more a release of pent-up frustration than any real amusement.

"If that's the case, then I'm not beholden to you, Mr. Fowler. There are plenty of other fish in the sea, plenty of other wealthy people in this world. I'm sure if I put my heart into finding someone, I'll find a willing soul."

Hamilton's face darkened, his gaze growing icy as he fixed his eyes on her.

"Natalia, I dare you say that again!" he growled.

She met his chilling gaze and knew she had struck a nerve. She was aware of her vulnerability before him, aware that even the smallest trick he used on her would require her to fight with all her might.

But she had to survive.

"People need to live, Hamilton, and I... I just want to live well."

She didn't want to keep getting hurt by him. She didn't want to drown any longer in a hopeless romance.

That was all.

She didn't deny her feelings for Hamilton. But it was true; she no longer wanted to return to his side.

Hamilton reached out, his hand suddenly gripping her wrist. His face was a mask of frost, yet his fingers were gentle, caressing her skin tenderly.

"Who do you plan to find, Natalia?" he asked softly, like a lover's whisper.

But the grip on her wrist tightened abruptly as if to snap her bones.

Natalia concealed the pain, forcing a smile. "Anyone who can help is fine by me. After all, what we have is nothing more than a transaction. And if it's just a transaction, I can surely find someone else to strike a deal with!"

"Natalia!" His voice was a low rumble, almost unrecognizable with anger.

Yet, her expression remained unfazed, as still as a stagnant pond.

Finally, Hamilton sneered and grabbed her chin. "Do you really think someone will dare to make a deal with you?"

Natalia lowered her head. She knew the truth well—if Hamilton didn't let go, nobody would dare to cross him for her sake.

After all, she might have some beauty, but in the eyes of these men, she was just a plaything, a trinket.

Who would risk Hamilton’s wrath for a trinket? But what other choice did she have?

"There will be someone. If not in Silkwood City, then another city."

As Hamilton's hold on her wrist tightened, her expression remained impassive.

Eventually, he laughed coldly.

"So, you'd rather find just any man than come back to me? Is that it?"

She didn't deny it.

He nodded, his laughter hollow. "Fine, Natalia. You chose this path. Just don't come crying back to me!"

With that, he made a phone call. Moments later, his secretary entered the room.

"Get this processed."

The secretary, unaware of the tension, took the paperwork and left.

"Thank you, Mr. Fowler." Natalia turned to leave, but Hamilton's grip yanked her back.

Before she could react, his lips found the nape of her neck.

Her body stiffened, still aching from the previous night's torment. But Hamilton didn't go further; after a couple of kisses, he released her.