Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart (Natalia and Hamilton) novel Chapter 123

Natalia didn't answer Hamilton's question. All she wanted to do was wriggle out of his grip and take a cold shower to clear her head.

But Hamilton wasn't about to let her go.

"Let me go, Hamilton. You have to let me go!"

Natalia felt like a fish out of water, desperate for the soothing embrace of the sea. She was inexplicably drawn to the man before her, yet her mind was in turmoil, fighting the impulse.

"I need to take a shower, Hamilton; let me go."

Hamilton's brow furrowed deeply. It was then he realized that the red mark on her face wasn't the only thing off about her.

Her temperature and overall state were far from normal. The thought of what might be afflicting her turned his face as cold as a slab of ice. Suddenly, he gripped her wrist, trapping her in his arms.

"Natalia, where have you been? Who did you meet? What did you eat?"

Natalia could barely make out what Hamilton was saying, fighting against her own instincts.

She wanted him, this man.

But deep down, she didn't want to beg him for anything.

She bit down on her lip so hard the taste of iron spread in her mouth, but she didn't loosen her grip.

Hamilton held her even tighter. Seeing her lips were already bleeding, he pinched her chin, forcing her to release the bite.

His voice was chilling, his eyes blazing with an almost tangible fire. "Who did you meet? What did you eat? Answer me!"

Natalia's eyes reddened, her voice trembling with the agony of the drug coursing through her. But the pain Hamilton inflicted by squeezing her chin brought back a sliver of clarity.

She clutched at his shirt, knuckles white. "Gideon Chappelle, he wanted to see the villa."

Hamilton's eyes narrowed dangerously.

"Did he drug you? Did he touch you?"

"No! I told him... I belong to you, and he stopped."

Hamilton's expression didn't soften.

She whispered, "Can you let me go now? Hamilton, I really need that shower."

Hearing her plead, a wave of awkwardness washed over Hamilton. Even now, she was pushing him away.

Annoyed, he tightened his grip on her chin. "Let you go? Natalia, at a time like this, you should be begging me to hold you tighter, not to let go!"

Her eyes, red with unfulfilled desire, refused to utter the words "Hold me tighter."

Once again, she bit her lip, blood nearly dripping down her chin.

Hamilton felt a surge of anger watching the woman in his arms, her face flushed, and lips bloodied from restraint. A sense of helplessness crept up on him.

"Natalia, is it really that hard to yield to me? Would you rather suffer like this than come back to me?"

Natalia felt like she was dying.

Whether from dehydration or drowning, she wasn't sure. It was like being seventeen at the seaside again, surrounded by an endless ocean without a glimmer of hope.

Hamilton was right there, but she didn't want him to save her again.

She knew too well. He was both a vortex and an abyss. Once trapped, escape is nigh impossible.

Her damp lashes trembled as she lifted her gaze.

Her voice shook as she uttered, "Hamilton, let me go... I'm begging you."

Hamilton sneered and scooped her into his arms, heading for the bedroom.

"Natalia, the only way I'd let you go is over my dead body!"

That night, Natalia was tossed and turned countless times.

Gideon's drug, specifically imported to coerce compliance from the reluctant stars at his company, was exceptionally potent.

When its effects finally wore off, and dawn began to break, Natalia finally fell into a deep sleep.

Hamilton sat by the bed, his gaze heavy upon her.

It was a long time before he stood up and stepped outside for a smoke.

Whether it was the smallness of Natalia's rented room or something else, despite a night of passionate lovemaking, Hamilton felt an oppressive heaviness in his chest.

Leaning against the window, he took a deep drag of his cigarette and let out a wry laugh. He was surprised to find himself feeling a twinge of sympathy for the woman.

Hamilton, feeling sympathy? It was laughable. He wasn't supposed to experience such emotions.

Yet, watching Natalia last night, he felt it unmistakably.

He had thought he wouldn't care.

When she wanted to leave, he let her go. So when he wanted her back, he was prepared to use any means necessary.

He never hesitated to employ those means with Natalia. But now, he hesitated, feeling an unfamiliar reluctance.