Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart

Chapter 109

Elliott felt a twinge of embarrassment. He had just finished asking Natalia out when Hamilton showed up. It was a bit like being caught with his hand in the cookie jar.

But he had been interested in Natalia for a while, and Hamilton must have seen it coming. He never made a move until now, knowing that Hamilton’s engagement was looming. That was when Elliott found the courage to speak up.

But judging by Hamilton’s demeanor now, it seemed that even with the engagement, he wasn’t going to let go of Natalia easily. Elliott felt a tinge of regret but managed a resigned chuckle.

He was no match for Hamilton.

“Hamilton’s here? | guess I'll be taking off then.”

With that, he got to his feet.

Hamilton’s gaze swept over him and settled on Natalia. “Mr. Lehner is leaving, Ms. Jenkins. Aren’t you going to say anything?” Natalia’s lips were tightly drawn, and after a moment, she turned to Elliott and said, “Goodbye, Mr. Lehner.”

Elliott nodded, looked at Hamilton, and said, “Catch you later, Hamilton.”

Hamilton said nothing, and Elliott left somewhat sheepishly.

Natalia looked up to meet his gaze. “My run-in with Mr. Lehner was purely coincidental.”

Hamilton chuckled dryly. “Quite a fucking coincidence!”

Natalia forced a laugh, lifting her gaze, her eyes devoid of any superfluous emotion. “Yeah, it's quite a coincidence. Just like bumping into you here, right?”

Hamilton’s eyes darkened as he stared at the woman before him.

Natalia’s defensiveness was too obvious to ignore. It wasn’t just today. Ever since their argument over the miscarriage, she had been acting this way. And today, it was especially noticeable.

“Natalia, don’t sulk over such a trivial matter!”

Natalia let out a bitter laugh. A trivial matter? Maybe to him, everything was just a triviality.

Her eyes fell. “No, Mr. Fowler, you're overthinking it. | just wanted some peace and quiet.”

Hamilton scoffed, his fingers casually stroking her face. “Peace and quiet with Elliott? What's next, a roll in the hay to cap it off?” There was a cold mockery in his eyes as he spoke.

Natalia found it laughable. He could parade around with Eveleen in public as a couple without a

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care, while she wasn’t even allowed the freedom to make friends.

She looked up at the man before her. “Hamilton, have you ever trusted me?”

Hamilton’s response was evasive.

Did it really matter if he trusted her? Anyone would have misread the scene earlier. Natalia was attractive, and Elliott was a catch. Especially since they were seen laughing together.

The memory of Natalia’s laughter with Elliott ignited a fire in Hamilton’s chest. When was the last time she had laughed like that with him?

Nonetheless, he didn’t want to argue with her over something so petty. Their relationship had been strained enough these past few days.

His long fingers traced her cheek briefly before he withdrew his hand.

“Let's go home.” He turned and strode towards the car.

Natalia stayed put. I’ve got plans with Scarlett for shopping.”

Hamilton glanced back at her. “Need me to carry you?”

Without waiting for an answer, he scooped Natalia up. She instinctively struggled.

But Hamilton tightened his grip. “Natalia, if you don’t want to get hurt, stop moving!”

Natalia froze, then ceased her struggle. She knew she couldn't outfight this man, and struggling would only cause her more pain.

After getting in the car, she called Scarlett and explained. Knowing her situation, Scarlett could only say, “Pity. | was about to share something with you. Never mind, I'll WhatsApp you later.”

Natalia grunted in response, and the cabin fell silent. Hamilton’s glower was still apparent.

Natalia turned her gaze out the window. The festive streets were somewhat congested. Couples hand in hand lined the sidewalks.

Hamilton’s phone suddenly rang with Eveleen’s personalized ringtone. He frowned slightly before answering. “Hamilton, where are you? Everyone's waiting.”

Hamilton bluntly responded, “Not coming.”

He ended the call.

Natalia’s lips twitched. “Sorry for ruining your date.”

Hamilton scoffed at her. “It’s mutual. Didn't | interrupt your date, too?”

Natalia shot him a glance and fell silent.

Once past the traffic jam, Hamilton floored it. Soon, the car pulled up to the apartment block.

Natalia reached for the door. Hamilton, however, suddenly locked the car,

He loosened his tie. “No rush to get out.”

Then, he pulled Natalia onto his lap.

They hadn't been intimate since that day. Hamilton had been in a foul mood, haunted by Natalia’s stubborn tears.

He had thought he was indifferent. Yet, time and again, he found himself affected by this woman. Now, he felt like he was holding back a raging inferno.

He kissed her fiercely, his hand slipping under her blouse.

Natalia resisted. “Not now!”

Hamilton just laughed softly. “Didn’t you say you’d hand yourself to me whenever | want you? Why the pretense now?” Natalia stiffened, then, with a bitter laugh, wrapped her arms around his neck.

The car rocked for nearly an hour before coming to a stop.

Exhausted, Natalia could barely lift her arms as Hamilton carried her upstairs. Her phone was buzzing nonstop like a bee ona summer’s day.

Hamilton, clearly annoyed, picked it up and glanced at it. Several texts from Scarlett. He let out a scoff. “Your friend sure has a lot of free time on her hands.”

Natalia pursed her lips, silent, as Scarlett’s call came through.

“Damn, Natalia, did | hear right? Is that scumbag Hamilton getting engaged?”

Hamilton was right there, every word Scarlett said as clear as day.

Natalia shot him a glance and muttered to Scarlett, “I’m not sure.*.

“How can you not know? Ask him! If that jerk is really getting hitched, doesn’t that make you the mistress?” Scarlett was getting worked up, and Natalia feared she might say something even more offensive, so she cut her off. “Scarlett, it's not a good time to talk. I'll call you back later.”

With that, she hung up.

After a moment of silence, she turned to Hamilton and said, “Sorry, Scarlett didn’t mean anything by it.” 10-42

But Hamilton just looked at her, and after what seemed like an eternity, he let out a cold chuckle.

“Do you have nothing else to say?”

Natalia’s gaze fell, and after a brief pause, she managed a laugh, looking up at the man before

her.

“What would you like me to say? Congratulations on your engagement?”

She was smiling, but her eyes were starting to sting.

Hamilton’s gaze suddenly grew heavy. He had never intended to explain his engagement to Natalia, because he hadn’t planned on getting engaged at all. And even if he were, he didn’t see why he should have to tell Natalia. A lover, after all, shouldn’t interfere with his life.

But her indifferent facade was making him feel incredibly frustrated. Did this woman really not care at all? “Are you honestly congratulating me?” he asked.

Natalia let out a laugh. “Of course, Mr. Fowler. Rest assured, | won’t presume to meddle in your personal affairs. Whether you get engaged or who you get engaged to is none of my business.”

Hamilton gripped her chin, his face growing darker. “You don’t care at all?” Natalia gave a bitter smile. “Am | supposed to care, Hamilton? Do | have the right?” Hamilton’s brows furrowed deeply, but he said nothing for a long time.

Natalia laughed, almost in self—derision. “Hamilton, if you’re engaged, will you let me go?”