Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart (Natalia and Hamilton) novel Chapter 124

Natalia handed the contract to Linda and pushed the door open, stepping into the president's office.

Hamilton was wiping his hands with a moist towelette. Seeing her enter, he tossed it into the trash bin and gestured her over.

"Come here."

Natalia stepped forward, and Hamilton took hold of her waist.

"Why didn't you take half of the day off?"

He knew all too well how strenuous the previous night had been and had half-expected Natalia to be bedridden for the day.

Awkwardness crept onto Natalia's cheeks. "I'm fine. There was still work to finish at the office."

Hamilton pinched her waist gently. "Are you sure you're alright?"

Truth to be told, Natalia's waist was still feeling sore. Since moving out, Hamilton had actually been doing it more often than before. But Natalia didn't let it show.

After a moment, Hamilton rubbed her waist and said, "Come back to the apartment tonight."

Natalia's lips tightened, and she didn't respond. She had no desire to return.

Hamilton caught the hesitation in her eyes and chuckled softly. "Didn't you promise to cook for me?"

Natalia was silent for a moment but then quietly acquiesced, "Okay."

Hamilton didn't press further and let her leave.

After work, Natalia went to the grocery store, picking up ingredients for dinner.

By the time she finished cooking in the apartment, it was past eight, and Hamilton was still nowhere to be seen.

Natalia waited at the dining table but must have dozed off, tired from the restless night.

Hamilton entered and found her slumped over the table, her eyes fluttering open in confusion like a startled fawn.

Something in him softened at the sight.

He smiled. "Tired? Why don't you go lie down for a while?"

Natalia snapped back to reality and stood up, murmuring an apology.

The warmth on Hamilton's face vanished as quickly as it had appeared.

"What do you think you're doing, Ms. Jenkins? Playing innocent won't work with me anymore."

As he spoke, he started unbuttoning his shirt.

Natalia then noticed the stains on it - bloodstains. She froze for a moment, but before she could speak, Hamilton had discarded his shirt in the trash and headed into the bathroom without a word.