Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart

Chapter 83 Natalia paused for a beat before speaking up. “I just wanted to make sure if you are going to show up at my class reunion” On the other end, Hamilton's enthusiasm seemed to deflate a bit. I'll be heading back tonight. Please cook up a hearty meal and wait at home.” “Alright” Hamilton asked again, “Anything else?” “No, that’s all.” “Okay.” After saying that, he hung up the call.

Natalia put away her phone and checked the kitchen.

The fridge was bare.

Hamilton was finicky about his foodi always had to be the freshest.

Lately, Natalia hadn't been feeling well, and he had insisted on ordering takeout from restaurants.

She tidied up a bit and then headed out to the market. After all, she needed a favor from him this time.

She wasn’t sure if Giselle would stir up trouble at the reunion again, but if Hamilton were there, she wouldn't be able to act so brazenly.

By the tNatalia returned from the market, dusk had fallen.

Upon arriving home, she went straight into the kitchen. By the tthe meal was ready, it was nearly eight o'clock.

After setting the table, Natalia dialed Hamilton's number, but he didn’t answer. She hesitated for a moment before trying to call him again. At that moment, however, she heard the door open.

Natalia turned around and locked eyes with Hamilton's oceanic gaze.

Hamilton, dressed in a black trench coat, looked somewhat weary as he stood in the doorway. He loosened his tie and began shedding his coat as he walked inside.

Reaching the dining table, he immediately wrapped an arm around Natalia’s waist and drew her into his embrace, “Ms. Jenkins, helpwith my tie, will you?” Natalia quickly caught on to what he wanted, “Can we have dinner first?” Hamilton gripped her chin and pressed her down against the dining table, “Not now. You cfirst.” With that, he yanked open her blouse while guiding her hands to his tie.

15:45 “The food's going to get cold! Natalia reminded him yet again.

But Hamilton was even more invigorated; his hand was trailing down that, within moments, slipped beneath the hem of her nightgown.

“It’s fine, we can reheat it, he said, chuckling, “Don’t you want this, Ms. Jenkins?” He withdrew his hand from her gown and held it before her eyes to show the moisture Natalia’s face flushed crimson, “Hamilton, if you're going to do it, just do it!” Hamilton particularly adored her flustered look. He nuzzled her earlobe as he carried her toward the bedroom.

When everything was over, an hour had passed.

Hamilton, donning a robe, lit a cigarette. Natalia was so tired she could barely lift her arms.

“Rest for a while; I'll go reheat the dinner,” Hamilton said as he ruffled her hair.

“Okay,” she replied weakly.

However, before Hamilton could leave the bedroom, his phone began to ring.

Natalia’s eyelids fluttered.

He took the phone and stepped out of the room, and she could faintly hear him say, “Eveleen.” Natalia let out a bitter laugh and closed her eyes.

She wasn’t sure about how long it had taken, and the bedroom door was pushed open again.

The man went into the walk-in closet and cout dressed in fresh clothes.

“Going out?” Natalia opened her eyes to ask.

Hamilton hummed in affirmation, “They've set up a gathering and | can’t always say no.” Natalia simply responded, “Okay.” “I've warmed up the food for you. Have something to eat before you sleep.” Natalia nodded but didn’t move. After a long silence, she asked again, “Will you be coming back tonight?” “Not tonight.” “What about the reunion tomorrow?” “Ms. Jenkins, don’t worry. | promised you, and I'll keep my word. Sendthe address, and I'll head straight to the venue tomorrow.” After saying that, Hamilton turned and left.

Natalia lay in bed for a long tbefore she dressed and got up.

15:45 The food Hamilton had reheated was on the dining table. She sat down with utmost calmness and began to eat.

It was all prepared with her hard work. He didn’t eat it, so she would. But as she ate, she tasted a hint of saltiness on her lips.

Natalia put down her fork and covered her eyes. She didn’t make a sound, only her shoulders were trembling slightly.

It took while before she regained her composure. She dumped the remaining food into the trash and took it downstairs to share with the stray cats and dogs.

After her shower, she sent the address to Hamilton and lay down to sleep.

The next afternoon, Scarlett stormed in. As soon as she entered, she cursed, “That jerk! He makes my blood boil!” Natalia frowned slightly, “What happened?” “It's that witch Giselle. She implied in the alumni group that you were someone’s mistress. Made my head explode.” Natalia’s eyes narrowed slightly. She had always muted the alumni group, not expecting Giselle to cause trouble there.

She checked her phone and sure enough, the group was full of foul language and insults.

“Stop looking,” Scarlett tried to snatch the phone away.

Those words were too ugly; she was angry just reading them, let alone Natalia.

But Natalia held onto the phone tightly. Her face was a terrible shade of pale. Still, she persisted in screenshotting all of Giselle’s messages.

After taking screenshots, she dialed 911. But the outcwas disappointing.

Giselle’s words were suggestive and couldn't be used as direct evidence of defamation.

After hanging up, Scarlett looked at her, “How did it go?” Natalia shook her head.

Scarlett was fuming. She dragged her into the walk-in closet and asked, “What are you planning to wear?” “I'm telling you that you have to dress to the nines tonight, then strut in there with Hamilton. and slap her face hard with your presence.” She added.

At the mention of Hamilton, Natalia’s eyelashes quivered slightly.

Still, she responded, “The black one.” Scarlett nodded. She pushed her to do a facial mask and makeup, and finally, slipped into the dress.

15:45 Scarlett was stunned once Natalia got dressed, “I gotta admit that I'm a bit jealous of Hamilton's good fortune now.” Natalia’s black evening gown made her fair skin seem even more delicate and pale. The dress, a selection by Hamilton, had a tasteful cut-out at the waist that accentuated her slender figure flawlessly.

Her long legs disappeared beneath the hem of her gown, but the high slit at the side offered a teasing glimpse that set the imagination alight.

And that face of hers it was both radiant and pristine.

Honestly, who could look at her without being utterly enchanted? Hamilton, that scoundrel, didn’t even know what a treasure he had.

“By the way, where’s Hamilton?” Scarlett asked.

Natalia paused, “He's going straight to the venue.” Scarlett nodded, not giving it a second thought.

A guy like Hamilton? As long as he showed up, what more could you expect? Twas ticking, so they headed out to the catering together.

Throughout the drive, Natalia kept glancing at her phone, but it remained silent. She got word. from Hamilton at all, and it was somehow unsettling.

Pulling into the parking lot, Scarlett parked and ushered Natalia towards the entrance.

Natalia hesitated at the door, “Go ahead, I'll wait here for Hamilton.” Scarlett smiled and nodded, “Okay, I'll head in then.” With that, Scarlett disappeared into the gate.

Natalia stood there, watching the parade of cars and feeling increasingly uneasy.

The reunion was set for six o'clock. It was now two minutes to.

was never one to be late, and Natalia had a: Hamilton feeling he wasn’t going to show up tonight. Yet, there she was, standing outside the hotel, drawing curious glances from passersby.

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, her phone pinged.

Her grip on the phone tightened before she looked down, her expression a mask of calm as she tapped the screen.

Hamilton's message was brief and to the point.

[Sorry, something cup, can’t make it. Enjoy the reunion, Ms. Jenkins.] 4/4