Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart

Chapter 63

Hamilton’s mood had been stormy, a tempest brooding behind his steely gaze since the moment Victor had brought up Natalia. A nagging irritation crept up his spine, an unwelcome guest that refused to leave.

He had convinced himself that Victor’s comments were water off a duck’s back. After all, he had no real intentions of getting serious with Natalia. When their contract expired, she would simply move on to the next man, a mere transaction of affection for financial gain. Hamilton had never planned to let it get personal.

So, when others had shown interest in Natalia, it had rolled off him without leaving a trace. All that mattered was that she understood her place and didn’t step out of line during their arrangement.

But Victor's blatant, repeated displays of lust had begun to grate on him like an itch he couldn't scratch. Glancing at his phone, he punched in a number.

“What's up?”

Hamilton’s eyes narrowed ever so slightly. “Find something for Victor to keep busy with.”

Alden was shocked. “What?”

He could hardly believe his ears. Victor might as well have been family to Hamilton; the two had grown up together, and their bond was supposed to be solid.

Why would Hamilton suddenly find trouble with Victor?

“Didn’t you understand me? | said, find him something to do!” Hamilton’s voice had grown. colder, more distant. Alden paused, weighing his words. “Why, though? Did something happen?”

“Nothing.” Hamilton suppressed his annoyance with the flat reply.

“But why go after Victor out of the blue? If he traces it back to us, It’s going to be awkward. moving forward.”

Hamilton lit a cigarette, the flame from his lighter casting a flickering shadow across his chiseled face, etching the contours of his discontent.

“Can't do it? If you can’t, I'll find someone who can.” Alden felt a chill. He could sense his brother’s vexation, the undercurrent of unease. After a pause, he asked cautiously, “How far do you want me to go?”

This was a different game than dealing with Gideon: this time, the stakes were personal. Hamilton took a drag of his cigarette, his eyes slits of determination.

4/4 13:09

“Make sure he loses Interest in meddling in other people’s business.” With that, he hung up.

Natalla, who had slept too much during the day, found herself wide awake in bed. She was about to sift through her fan group for Eveleen when a message pinged on her phone. It was a voice recording from Victor.

“Just waiting to see when you are willing to pass her my way.” Victor’s voice came through first.

Natalia’s fingers clenched around her phone. She had a hunch that Victor was referring to her. The blood drained from her lips at the thought.

What would Hamilton’s response be? After a long pause, Hamilton's voice finally filled the recording. “Mr. Henkel, if you wanna have a go, find Ms. Jenkins yourself. Like I’ve said before, if she’s up for it, | won’t stand in your way.”

Natalia’s grip on the phone tightened until her knuckles turned white. The offhand cruelty in Hamilton’s voice hurt like a dull knife twisting in her chest.

Victor had said similar things before, but hearing them firsthand was a different kind of pain. Hamilton really didn’t care—not one bit. Otherwise, how could he say such a thing?

As long as she was up for it, he wouldn't stand in Victor’s way.

Then, why did he keep warning her not to get close to any other men?

A bitter laugh escaped Natalia’s lips as she tried to muster a calm response to Victor’s incoming call. “Ms. Jenkins, you heard him. That’s straight from Hamilton’s mouth.”

Natalia’s heart felt heavy, but she forced herself to remain composed.

“What's the point of sending me this, Mr. Henkel? If you’re so capable, tell Hamilton to cut me loose!”

Victor laughed lightly. “Hamilton’s a man, after all. Why would he let go of a woman so easily accessible? But you, Ms. Jenkins, what's the point of sticking around him?”

Natalia scoffed coldly. “Whether there’s a point or not is my business, not yours, Mr. Henkel.” “But it is my business, Ms. Jenkins. I’m waiting for my turn with you!”

Natalia’s voice was laced with venom. “Victor, go chase after someone else! The mere sight of you disgusts me. Taking those photos of me, sending them to Hamilton, and now this recording... Your scheming is despicable!”

2/4 13:09

Victor remained unfazed. “So what if | am? ‘Despicable‘ is a man’s middle name. How about this? Sleep with me just once, and | won't tell Hamilton. I'll leave you alone after that. Deal?”

“Get lost!”

Natalia’s anger boiled over, and she hung up, her breaths coming in ragged sips. She contemplated calling Hamilton, demanding to know why he warned her against other men while speaking so callously to Victor.

If he didn’t care, why get angry over her casual conversations with others? If he did care, why would he speak to Victor that way? But in the end, she couldn’t bring herself to dial. She no longer had the courage.

With Hamilton, the friction she encountered was relentless, so much so that it sapped her very courage to question it. She dreaded hearing anything more unbearable. The last thing she wanted was to demean herself further.

Scarlett swung by the hospital after her shift ended. As she entered, she caught sight of Natalia’s pallid complexion.

Startled, Scarlett rushed over and pressed her hand to Natalia’s forehead. “What's wrong? Feeling sick again? Why do you look so ghastly?”

Natalia fought back the sting in her eyes and shook her head. “It’s nothing, just a nightmare.”

Relief washed over Scarlett. “Oh, | thought it was something serious. It’s just a nightmare? Come on, you’re a grown-up, still getting upset over dreams?”

A faint smile crept across Natalia’s face.

Scarlett glanced around. “Where’s Hamilton? He’s not here?” Natalia shook her head. “No, he’s not.”

“Wasn't he here this afternoon?*

Natalia averted her eyes. “He had to go.”

Scarlett nodded, unaware of Natalia’s discomfort. She started to recount how awful Hamilton looked when he came by at noon, how he even tossed the lunch he brought straight into the trash can.

Natalia didn’t want to talk about Hamilton. Scarlett spoke, Natalia only listened, offering no response.

After a while, Scarlett asked, “Think you'll manage to sleep on your own? Want me to stay with you?”

Natalia chuckled lightly. “No need, I’m not that delicate. You better head home.”

Scarlett didn’t insist. Everyone has their way, she reasoned. She nodded, gave Natalia a few more instructions, and then left. 3/4

13:09Original from NôvelDrama.Org.

Natalia lay in bed, eventually drifting into a fitful sleep after some time.

In the middle of the night, she suddenly felt as if someone was pressing down on her.

She woke up with a start, about to cry out, but her lips were instantly silenced by the other person's kiss.