Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart (Natalia and Hamilton) novel Chapter 143

Natalia, without another word, turned on her heel and strode out the door.

Caspian watched the scene unfold, his brow creasing in concern. He glanced at Hamilton's phone, then stood up and gave his shoulder a gentle pat.

"Look, if you can't shake her off, you need to clear the decks before you try to win her back. As long as you've got another woman on the hook, ready to play footsie with you at a moment's notice, she's not going to have a change of heart."

Hamilton looked down and drew a cigarette from his pack. "Don't stir the pot. It's bad enough as it is."

Caspian couldn't help but smirk. "Ms. Jenkins is back on the market, which means anyone can set their cap for her now. If not me, someone else will, right?"

With that, Caspian didn't linger. He gathered his things and headed out. He could tell Hamilton hadn't let go yet, but if he was really trying to hold on, he should be showing it, not just mouthing platitudes.

Caspian didn't feel like giving him a nudge, though. This was Hamilton's own mess to clean up, and if it ended in tears, well, he'd have to dry his own eyes.

Deep down, Caspian had a soft spot for Natalia, charmed, perhaps, by her looks.

Hamilton never answered that call, letting it go to voicemail. Not long after the disconnect, the phone buzzed to life again. Eyeing the incoming call, Hamilton pinched the bridge of his nose before answering.

"Eveleen, what's up?"

Her voice came through teary and distressed. "Hamilton, I've got this awful pain in my forehead."

Listening to her, Hamilton's mind inexplicably drifted to Natalia, to the dream where she cried out in pain, tears streaming down her face. But from the moment she woke, she never once complained of pain in front of him.

Hamilton massaged his forehead, trying to muster patience. "Have you taken any painkillers?"

Eveleen's voice wavered even more. "Yes, but they're not working."

Hamilton was silent.

After what felt like an eternity, he finally said, "Eveleen, in times like these, a doctor will do you more good than I can."

There was a pause on the other end. "Hamilton, are you saying you won't help me?"

Hamilton picked up the cup Natalia had just used, his long fingers tracing the damp rim.

"I've already arranged for you to see a doctor. Don't worry, there won't be any scars on that pretty forehead of yours."

"But I want you to be with me!"

Hamilton chuckled wryly. "Eveleen, you should have your own life, your own loves, not just orbit around me."

Eveleen's breath hitched. "Hamilton, are you telling me to go out and date?"

Hamilton didn't deny it. He never intended to meddle in Eveleen's love life. To him, such matters should be free and unforced. If Eveleen could break up with him once, it meant her feelings weren't that deep. And he certainly wasn't one to cling.

"If there's someone suitable, sure, give it a shot."

Eveleen choked up. "Don't you care for me anymore?"

Hamilton's laugh was hollow, his gaze devoid of mirth. "Eveleen, we've been over for a long time, and you know that better than anyone."

With that, he ended the call. His expression was impassive, but anyone who knew him well could tell he was anything but pleased.

Hamilton had never anticipated that his split with Natalia would be like this. While Natalia seemed to walk away with ease, it was he who couldn't let go. Taking a sip of water from the cup, he stood up and left.

Life goes on, with or without someone.

The moment Hamilton got into his car, his phone rang. It was Alden.

"Bro, I've been thinking, if you want to make Ms. Jenkins happy—"

"No need," Hamilton cut him off before he could finish. "I've ended things with her."

Alden was taken aback. "What are you talking about?"

Hamilton lit a cigarette, took a drag, then leaned back in his seat, blowing out a plume of smoke. "I said, we’re over."

Alden was at a loss for words. After a moment, he ventured, "Are you okay?"

Hamilton's laugh was cold. "Of course, I'm just fine."

Alden knew him too well. After a brief silence, he asked, "Bro, did you actually fall for Ms. Jenkins?"

Hamilton fell silent. In the end, he hung up without a word.

Fall for her?

Impossible.

He would never fall for anyone.

...