Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart

Natalia shrieked, her voice cut short as a hand clamped over her mouth.

A heartbeat later, a chillingly familiar voice reached her ears.

“Why are you yelling?”

Her limbs turned to jelly almost instantly.

With a racing heart, she touched her chest before wheeling around to glare at Hamilton.

“Hamilton, are you out of your mind? What are you lurking out here for instead of being in the room?”

Hamilton gave a derisive snort and pinched her waist hard.

“Think I don’t want to be inside? How could I get in? Bust the door down?”

Natalia paused, realizing she’d forgotten to give him a key.

“Sorry, slipped my mind.”

With a glance, Hamilton pulled her into the room.

As the lights flicked on, his eyes landed on the iced latte in her hand, his expression darkening.

Natalia, preoccupied, bent down to slip off her shoes, not bothering to set aside the drink.

Hamilton stooped, snatched the latte from her grasp, and tossed it straight into the trash.

“What the hell?” Natalia blinked in surprise.

His gaze turned icy. “Got over your cold? Out on a late–night rendezvous with someone?”

Natalia bit her lip, aware he must have seen Ryan.

1

“Ryan was just dropping off some notes. I’ve got a meeting tomorrow morning.”

Hamilton yanked her wrist, pulling her close.

“Ryan, Ryan, you say it like it’s so sweet, huh?”

She looked up at him.

“Hamilton, he’s just a friend, nothing more.”

Hamilton’s eyes narrowed, and he sneered, “You’d better be right, Natalia. It’s your job to set boundaries with other men. Don’t make me remind you over and over.”

Natalia was already in a foul mood. Since meeting with Patrick, her spirits had plummeted. The recent scare had her distracted. Now, she couldn’t muster the energy to argue over such trifles. “Hamilton, only my relationship with you could be considered less than pure.”

That seemed to please him somewhat, his expression finally softening,

Wst key now out so late?”

Natalia’s are fell went to see my mom.”

Movavitan panised. “How is she doing?”

The thought of Tatiana left Natalia with little hope, fearing future disappointments.

Y’s the same”

Seeing her downcast, Hamilton didn’t press further. “It’ll get better.”

He gave her waist a squeeze and kissed her,

Fresh from the cold, her lips were cool but felt incredibly soothing.

Hamilton deepened the kiss, cradling her towards the bathroom.

Under the hot shower, their bodies entwined, the heat of their breath mingled.

It had been days, and the urgency was palpable,

His hands and mouth worked in unison.

Natalia wasn’t in the mood, but he was making it difficult for her to resist.

“Aroused now?” He chuckled softly, pressing her against the wall.

The embrace was a fleeting indulgence,

By the time they finished, it was past ten.

Carrying the exhausted Natalia back to the bedroom, Hamilton laid her down, only for her to prop herself up again.

He frowned. “What’s up? Still got energy? Shall we continue?”

Natalia’s voice was hoarse. “I’ve got a meeting tomorrow morning. Need to prepare some materials.

His face darkened.

“That side job of yours, it’s that crucial?”

She laughed softly, gazing at Hamilton. “Would you stop Eveleen from chasing her dreams?”

Hamilton’s face grew colder.

Natalia sighed, no longer speaking, just quietly sitting at the desk, working on her materials.

He wouldn’t stop Eveleen, of course; he would support her fully.

He had even secured her the Ivy Gemstone endorsement as soon as she had returned to the

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12.99

In his eyes, Natalia couldn’t compare to Eveleen.

Perhaps, as she had said, to this man, she wasn’t even worthy of dreams.

Hamilton’s expression remained sour, Natalia’s words leaving a bitter taste.

He hadn’t considered her likes or dislikes. In his view, as his woman, she should stay by his side obediently.

Now, it seemed as if he were the one mistreating her.

The room was eerily quiet, and Natalia quickly immersed herself in her work.

Hamilton didn’t sleep, nor did he leave. He sat on the bed, smoking, watching her.

Such a fragile woman, yet so stubborn.

And absurdly, he found himself unable to be harsh with her lately.

Even tonight, seeing her laughing with Ryan, he had just felt a personal anger.

Taking a drag, he slowly exhaled. He grabbed a blanket, tossing it over Natalia.

“Wrap up. You’ll only suffer if you get sick again.”

She paused in her motions.

“Thanks,” she murmured, eyes downcast.

After a moment, she looked up at him. “Hamilton, can you do me a favor?”

He raised an eyebrow. “You should know the drill. If you want a favor, you’ve got to ask the right

way.”

Natalia knew what he wanted.

She was silent for a moment, then rose and kissed him lightly on the lips.

Hamilton instantly grabbed her waist, deepening the kiss.

When it ended, he asked, “What do you need?”

“I need you to find me two bodyguards.”

Hamilton’s brow furrowed deeply. “Why? You into some trouble lately?”

Natalia moved away, sitting back at the desk. “It’s for my mom. Saw someone sketchy when I visited her today.”

Natalia wasn’t sure if someone was really following her.

If those two instances weren’t just figments of her imagination, then the only people she could think of were Lucinda and Patrick.

Truth be told, she didn’t really care. It’s not like they would ever actually do anything to her. It was Tatiana that she was really worried about.

12:09

Hamilton furrowed his brow but didn’t press further. He wasn’t at all interested in Natalia’s

mother.

“Alright, I’ll have them reach out to you tomorrow.”

Natalia nodded. “Thanks.”

Hamilton gave her a look but said nothing more, heading out to make a call.

The following day.

Hamilton insisted on driving Natalia to the venue himself.

Ryan watched as Hamilton wrapped an arm around Natalia’s waist, planted a kiss on her, and only then let her go. A sour taste filled his mouth.

But men often understand men better.

Hamilton’s feelings for Natalia were definitely not as simple as a mere transaction.

The guy had probably fallen for her hard; he just didn’t know it yet.

Ryan exhaled softly and turned to Natalia. “Get ready. The meeting starts in thirty minutes.”

She nodded and headed towards the translators‘ booth.

Ryan stood still for a few seconds before he, too, made his way into the venue.

Leaning against his car, Hamilton lit a cigarette, his expression as cold as ice.

Natalia had said her relationship with him was anything but innocent.

But the way Ryan looked at Natalia, that was definitely far from innocent either.