Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart

Chapter 150 Natalia trudged into her home, the day's weight heavy on her shoulders. Without a word, she made a beeline for the sanctuary of the bathroom.

A shower later, her spirits had lifted ever so slightly.

Scarlett eyed her curiously. "What's got you looking so glum?" Natalia bit her lip, her voice barely above a whisper. "Got bitten by a rabid dog." "Hamilton's been hounding you again?" Scarlett asked with a frown.

Natalia shook her head. "Ran into him, and he wouldn't leavealone." Scarlett's gaze flickered with concern. "Natalia, do you think... maybe Hamilton's really fallen for you? That's why he can't let go? I mean, what doesn't that guy have? What woman wouldn't fall at his feet? Why's he so obsessed with you?" Natalia laughed dryly after a pause. "Guess he's just a masochist. Takesfor granted when I'm around, but can't stand the thought of losing me." Scarlett's lips quirked in spite of herself. It did seem that way, after all.

Men are such creatures of contradiction! For the next few days, Natalia saw no sign of Hamilton. She didn't inquire or show any interest in his whereabouts.

With the new Marketing Manager yet to take the reins, Natalia found herself immersed in her work routine.

Perhaps it was the year-end frenzy, but work was relentless. Ronin tried to catch up over dinner a few times, but Natalia was swamped.

She was clocking out at ten each night.

One evening, just as Natalia was leaving work at a more decent hour, her phone rang. It was Alden.

"Ms. Jenkins, I need to discuss something with you." Natalia frowned. "What is it, Alden? Just shoot." Alden hesitated. "Can we talk face to face? Let's grab sdinner. It's been a while since we had a proper chat." Natalia could sense Alden's intention to mediate between her and Hamilton. His attempts were always half- hearted, yet he was the one who seemed most invested in their affair. Now that she was free from Hamilton, Alden surely hoped to patch things up between them. But sthings had to be addressed, so Natalia agreed. She met Alden at a diner near her office. Arriving after her shift, she found Alden already waiting.

"Ms. Jenkins, over here," Alden called out, waving her over.

Natalia settled across from him, noticing he had ordered all her favorites.

"My brother toldyou have a sweet tooth," Alden said as he met her eyes.

Natalia stayed silent.

They ate in silence, and Alden never broached the subject he had mentioned earlier.

Finally, Natalia initiated. "Alden, you said you had something to discuss?" Instead of answering, Alden furrowed his brows. "Ms. Jenkins, have you really broken it off with my brother?" Natalia held her cup and smiled sadly. "Yes, it's over. I'm sorry, Alden, but I'm no longer fit to be your sister-in- law." Alden's discomfort was palpable. "Why are you apologizing?" Clearly, it was his brother who was in the wrong.

Natalia was a gem, yet Hamilton chased after Eveleen. Alden couldn't fathom it. If it were anyone other than Natalia, they would have walked away long ago.

"Ms. Jenkins, I know you're hurting, but don't worry about Eveleen. My brother won't marry her. He's been ignoring her lately. She's been showing up at the office daily, but he hardly gives her the tof day." Natalia chuckled. "Alden, you don't need to tellthis. Whether your brother sees her or not, it's none of my business anymore." "But how can it not be your business? Don't you want revenge?" Natalia's eyes fell. She did want to get back at Eveleen, but not at the cost of entangling herself with Hamilton again. If she sought revenge, it would be on her own terms.

Alden pressed on, "So, Ms. Jenkins, wouldn't you consider reconciling with my brother? I bet that would drive Eveleen mad." Natalia shook her head gently. "No, Alden, there's no going back forand your brother." As she spoke, a shadow loomed beside her. Looking up, Natalia saw Hamilton standing there, his suit impeccable, his expression unreadable.

"Brother!" Alden's eyes lit up. "What brings you here?" Natalia glanced at Alden, then down at her hands.

Alden was a terrible actor. Even she could see right through the ruse. This dinner was a trap.

Hamilton spoke casually, "Just passing by and saw Alden. Thought I'd say hello. Ms. Jenkins, do you mind?" His gaze lingered on Natalia, who had been avoiding him for days. He had missed her terribly, and the distance she put between them only made his heart grow fonder.

She barely attended the morning meetings at the office at all, sending her assistant every time. Plus, the files she used to personally send to the top floor were now all handled by Linda. Hamilton was rather angry about it, but he knew very well that the more he pushed her, the more she would avoid her.

Nonetheless, Natalia's body still turned stiff.

Sitting with Hamilton made her feel uncomfortable all over. Plus, he was way too close to her, and she was almost shrouded in his presence.

"Alden, I've matters to attend to. Got to go," Natalia said, standing up.

Alden panicked. It had taken so much to bring them together, and he gestured frantically at Hamilton to do something.

Hamilton gripped her wrist firmly.

"Can't even joinfor a meal anymore?" Natalia didn't deny it.

She really didn't want to.

"I'm full. Please enjoy your evening, Mr. Fowler." Hamilton let out a chuckle, his grip on her wrist not loosening in the slightest.

"In a hurry for a date with Ronin?" Natalia didn't want to get into it with him.

"Yes, so can you let go ofnow?" Hamilton looked at her, a mocking smile playing in his eyes.

"Are you sure?" Natalia's lips were pressed tightly together.

She didn't know why Hamilton would ask such a thing.

But still, she responded.

"Positive."

Instead of releasing her, Hamilton pulled out his phone and held it up for e her to see.

"But Ronin is currently preoccupied, unless, Ms. Jenkins you're rushing off to be the other woman"?" Natalia's gaze fell upon Hamilton's phone screen.

In the photo, Ronin was dining with a woman.

Natalia recognized that woman; i I was Caspian's niece, Thalia.

The pair seemed quite at ease together.

Natalia shifted her gaze away without much of a reaction.

But in front of Hamilton, her pride was at stake.

She mustered the last bit of defiance she had left. "Whether not I'm the other woman, what's it to you?" With that, she wrenched her wrist away and turned to leave.

Alden was heartbroken in the background.

It had taken him so much effort to arrange this meeting with Natalia.

Now, she probably would never trust him again.

"Bro, if you keep this up, I won't be helping you anymore! You better go check on Ms. Jenkins." Hamilton's gaze turned stern.

He didn't chase after her; instead, he made a phone call.

Shortly after Natalia left the restaurant, her phone buzzed with a call from Linda.

"Ms. Jenkins, you're needed on a business trip."