"Sorry." Hamilton's face was a tad stiff as he uttered the word.
Natalia let out a chuckle. "Drop the apologies, Hamilton. If Eveleen means so much to you, then just make sure you two are happy together, okay? As long as you don't bother me, I'll be more than grateful."
Hamilton's face contorted at her words.
Was she really so keen to cut him off?
And since when had he ever said he wanted to be with Eveleen?
Natalia could tell Hamilton was riled up, but she didn't care. She spun on her heel and headed for the apartment building.
Hamilton reached out, grabbing her wrist. Natalia's eyebrows knitted together, and then she noticed the blood dripping from his hand.
Her lips tightened, but she didn't pull away.
"What do you want?"
Hamilton's lips twitched, struggling to speak. "Natalia, can you give me a chance to make it up to you? I swear, nothing like that will ever happen again. You call me anytime, and I'll be there, okay?"
Natalia's laugh was dry, "Do you want to compensate me, Mr. Fowler?"
Hamilton nodded frantically.
Natalia eyed him and said, "So, I want Eveleen behind bars. After all, she's hurt me more than once. Can you do that, Mr. Fowler?"
Hamilton's brow furrowed instantly. His grip on her wrist tightened unconsciously.
After a long silence, he managed to say, "Natalia, our issues have nothing to do with Eveleen."
Natalia laughed, breaking free from his hold. "If you really want to make amends, just sign the agreement cheerfully tomorrow. That's all I'm asking for right now."
With that, Natalia slipped from his grasp and disappeared into the building.
Hamilton stood there, watching her resolute figure disappear, and a cold laugh escaped him.
He had no idea when she had become so hard to appease.
Back home, Natalia found Scarlett still out on the balcony. Seeing her come in, Scarlett waved urgently.
"The dog's still there."
Natalia was uninterested. She washed up, poured herself some porridge, and started eating.
Scarlett watched her and asked, "Natalia, are you okay?"
Natalia nodded. "I'm fine. What could be wrong?"
Scarlett sat across from her. "What did you say to Hamilton?"
Natalia's grip on the spoon paused as she said, "I'm going to sign a termination agreement tomorrow, and that'll be the end of it."
Scarlett frowned. "Shouldn't you ask for some kind of compensation? You almost lost your life because of him, and to just let it go seems too easy on him."
Right now, Natalia didn't care for compensation. As long as Hamilton was willing to let go, she was willing to walk away with nothing.
Natalia's expression was somber.
Seeing this, Scarlett didn't press the issue and simply tapped Natalia's hand.
"The hospital just got a new director, only 30, handsome, and have a good family background. How about I introduce you?"
Natalia smiled. "Forget it. I'm just focused on making my own money right now."
She didn't want to be choked by financial dependency on anyone anymore, not Patrick, not Hamilton, not ever again.
Seeing Natalia's resolve, Scarlett let it be.
"Will you be okay going by yourself tomorrow? I could take a day off and come with you."
"I’ll be fine," Natalia shook her head, "It's just signing a paper, and I've already got an appointment with a lawyer."
That's what she said, but Scarlett knew Natalia might not feel as nonchalant as she claimed. After all, it was about someone she had loved for years.
She still remembered how Natalia's eyes sparkled in high school when she talked about someone she liked.
Scarlett didn't say much else, just hugged Natalia and said, "It'll get better."
Natalia responded with a smile. Yeah, it would get better. The process was painful, but fortunately, she could see the hope for a new life.
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