Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart

Natalia was at a loss for words when asked about her relationship with Hamilton.

The truth was, there was no “treating her well” to speak of–it was purely transactional.

“It’s okay, I guess.” she replied with a forced smile, recalling the past three years of what could be termed as pleasant business dealings. Content protected by Nôv/el(D)rama.Org.

But Ryan saw through her facade, noting the hint of sadness in her eyes. He wanted to ask more, to delve deeper, but he hesitated, aware of the intrusion it would be.

After a long silence, he finally spoke up, “Natalia, I’ve always liked you.”

It took a lot of guts for Ryan to confess his feelings. He had been searching for Natalia for three years and had waited just as long for a chance with her. He was overjoyed when she suddenly reached out to him, but to his dismay, she was involved with someone else.

He knew it wasn’t the right moment to express his feelings, yet he couldn’t help but make his affections known. Even if she couldn’t reciprocate, he wanted her to know she had an option in him, a fallback if things with the other man turned sour.

Natalia, taken aback, could only manage a bitter chuckle. “Ryan, I’m not the good girl you think I am. You deserve someone better.”

With her complicated past and current entanglements with Hamilton, Natalia didn’t see herself as a catch. Ryan, with his good looks, abilities, and family background, should be with someone untainted by scandal, not someone like her, with a tarnished reputation.

Ryan just smiled softly. “Natalia, I’m not trying to mess up your relationship. I just want you to know that if you ever find yourself unhappy, I can be an option for you. No pressure.”

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His voice was gentle, and his manner never rushed. Ryan had always been a man of decorum, a true gentleman, unlike the superficial charm of Hamilton.

Natalia was at a loss for words, but Ryan didn’t press the matter further and instead shifted the conversation to lighter topics. Natalia was rather thankful he spared her any discomfort.

The car moved quietly through the night, classical music playing softly in the background. Ryan only dropped Natalia off at the entrance to her apartment complex before leaving.

As Natalia walked in, she saw Hamilton waiting for her, a cigarette between his fingers. He didn’t move when he saw her; he just raised an eyebrow and chuckled.

“Ms. Jenkins, seems like you’re forgetting who you are,” Hamilton remarked.

Taking a deep breath, Natalia tried to explain, “I had dinner with Collin tonight. I’ve signed a contract with the Foreign Affairs Department. I’ll be doing some consulting work for them.”

Hamilton just watched her, saying nothing more.

Natalia, feeling the conversation was over, turned and headed for her apartment. Hamilton

10.40

stubbed out his cigarette and followed her inside, carrying a box of condoms from his car. Both knew what was going to happen next.

Once inside, Hamilton went straight to business, using her for his own gratification before showering, dressing, and leaving in silence.

Natalia was left alone, feeling more hollow than ever. She knew this was the nature of their arrangement and that she should accept it. She had to.

After a while, she took a shower and tried to sleep. She had hoped the real estate agent was right, that her house would sell quickly. But the next morning, the agent called with bad news.

“Ms. Jenkins, did you upset someone? Lots of people are interested in the house, but as soon as your name comes up, they lose interest. What’s going on? Is there a problem with the house?”

Natalia knew Hamilton was likely behind this. She called him, trying to confront the issue.

“Yes?” Hamilton sounded busy, probably outside.

“Holding grudges, Hamilton? What’s the point?” Natalia clutched her phone tightly.

Hamilton just laughed and hung up.

Frustrated but powerless, Natalia instructed the agent to keep looking for a buyer.

Just when she had lost all hope, the agent called her with a potential viewing.

“Ms. Jenkins, someone wants to see the house. Please, make sure you’re there on time.”

Her spirits lifted, Natalia agreed and rushed to the property.

But upon arriving, her heart sank. Gideon Chappelle stood at the door, a sinister smile on his face.

Forcing calm into her voice, Natalia greeted him, “Mr. Chappelle, what a surprise to see you here.”

Gideon’s eyes greedily roamed over her. “I’m here to see the house, Ms. Jenkins. Surprised?”

He had almost had his way with her once before, only for Hamilton to intervene. Since then, he had been craving another opportunity but had been wary of Hamilton’s influence.

Now, he had heard that Natalia and Hamilton had a falling out, and he was eager to see who

would save her this time.

“Gideon, you know the relationship I have with Hamilton!” Natalia stood rigid, feigning

composure.

Gideon just snorted with laughter. “Natalia, do you really think I don’t know you’ve had a fallout with Hamilton?”

“Who told you we had a falling out? It was just a lovers‘ tiff. You should know better than to take it seriously. Or should I just call him right now, clear the air with you?”

12:40

With that, she boldly dialed Hamilton’s number right in front of Gideon.

Before the call even connected, Gideon surged forward, his anger boiling over as he smashed Natalia’s phone to the floor.

His teeth gritted with fury; he grasped Natalia by the throat.

He truly feared Hamilton. That man was ruthless and never showed mercy in his dealings. But after waiting for so long, Gideon would not let his prize slip away.

A vicious glint crossed his eyes. He pried open Natalia’s mouth and forced a pill inside.

Natalia tried to retch it out, but he made her swallow it against her will.

“Ms. Jenkins, let’s see what comes first – the kick of my pill or your savior Hamilton arriving. Once you’re under the influence, it won’t be me forcing you anymore!”

Natalia’s face turned ghostly pale. She knew too well Hamilton wouldn’t come to her rescue.

“Gideon, aren’t you scared Hamilton will have your head for this?”

Gideon chuckled darkly. “Ms. Jenkins, it was you who shamelessly climbed into my bed!”

Her lips trembled with fear.

“Even if I did, do you think Hamilton would let go of someone who cuckolded him? Gideon, you should know better than anyone how Hamilton deals with his enemies. And besides, hasn’t Victor been spreading rumors about me seducing him? Guess why Hamilton went after Victor’s business not too long ago?”

Gideon’s expression changed instantly, his face contorted with rage.

He had heard about the sudden strike Hamilton had made on Victor’s company and had been puzzled by the animosity between the former allies.

Now, the pieces fell into place, and a grim realization dawned on him.

Blazing with anger, he glared at Natalia. He did desire her, but to cross Hamilton for a woman like her was not worth the risk.

Yet, to give up without a fight was against his nature.

He slapped Natalia hard across the face. “Natalia, you just wait. I don’t believe Hamilton can protect you forever!”

With that, Gideon stormed out, seething with fury.

Natalia slumped to the floor, drained.

The drug was taking effect; her body was heating up, and her legs felt weak.

The real estate agent rushed over to find Natalia sitting on the ground, a clear handprint on her face.

“Ms. Jenkins, what happened? Where’s the client who was viewing the house?”

12:40

With tears in her eyes and shaking hands, she pleaded, “Can you call me a cab?”

“Of course, just a moment.”

Soon after, the taxi arrived.

Natalia, mustering all her strength, climbed into the car.

Stumbling into her apartment, she noticed a shadowy figure in the dimly lit hallway.

Her vision was blurry, but instinct told her it was Hamilton.

She wanted to rush into his arms, the drug–induced agony almost robbing her of her sanity. But she held back.

She didn’t want anyone to touch her in this state, Hamilton included.

His voice was laced with irritation. “Why didn’t you answer your phone?”

Natalia didn’t reply. Instead, she staggered into her apartment, fumbling with the door.

Hamilton caught her wrist from behind.

Natalia’s body jerked.

“Let me go!” she cried out in sudden panic, then hugged herself and stepped back.

“Don’t touch me, please, just don’t.”

It was then that Hamilton realized something was terribly wrong. His face darkened immediately. His long fingers lifted her chin, and he saw the slap mark on her face.

His voice was colder than frost. “Who did this to you?”