Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart

“Relax, Mr. Fowler, I never regret my actions,” Natalia declared with unwavering resolve.

Hamilton felt an oppressive heaviness in his chest. But he said nothing more. He just watched Natalia, waiting until her IV drip was finished before they both left the hospital together.

After eating something and getting a nutrient boost, Natalia felt some of her strength return.

When Hamilton moved to embrace her, she pushed him away.

“I can walk on my own,”

Hamilton let out a derisive snort and didn’t press further.

Exiting the emergency room, Hamilton said, “Let’s head home. I’m not comfortable with you being out and about in your condition. If anything else happens, I don’t want to be your fallback. Plus, the housekeeper made your favorite dish.”

Natalia could sense his attempt to keep her close, but under the circumstances, his gesture felt like a joke.

She lowered her gaze and replied, “No. Please thank the housekeeper for me.”

With that, she hailed a taxi from the curb.

Hamilton felt like he had gone out of his way for her, yet she wouldn’t give him the time of day. He wasn’t about to keep chasing after her. Fuming, he left.

It was only when he got into his car that he noticed the gift bag on the dashboard.

He had sincerely picked out a present for her after work, and the thought of giving it to her had filled him with anticipation. Now, he felt like a fool.

With a cold laugh, he tossed the bag into the glove compartment. She was just a woman, after

all. He didn’t need her.

Hamilton started the car and drove away.

Natalia stood on the sidewalk, her emotions indistinct.

Perhaps there was a sense of relief. After all, she no longer had to entangle herself with Hamilton and Eveleen.

Suddenly, Scarlett called.

“Natalia, how did it go?” she asked, her voice laced with caution.

During the check–up, the medication Natalia had taken was discovered. If Hamilton found out Scarlett had provided the drugs, she feared for her life. Although she had the nerve to berate Hamilton to his face, it didn’t mean she wasn’t afraid of him.

Natalia’s eyes were clouded with complexity. “It’s settled, I suppose.”

1123

Scarlett’s eyes lit up. “He agreed?”

Natalia hummed in affirmation.

Scarlett’s excitement was palpable. She had initially thought Natalia’s approach was too drastic, but now, as long as they could get away, it was worth it.

“Shall we celebrate tonight?”

Natalia chuckled wryly, “No celebration needed, but I do want to stay at your place for a while.”

With plans to split from Hamilton, she wouldn’t be returning to the apartment. And after the kidnapping, she didn’t want to live alone anymore.

Scarlett quickly agreed. “No problem, you can stay as long as you want–even a lifetime!”

After ending the call with Scarlett, Natalia saw a car pull up in front of her. Frowning, she saw the door swing open, and Ryan stepped out.

“What brings you here?” asked Natalia.

Before she could get an answer, the backseat window rolled down, and Ronin Joyner’s smiling face appeared. “Ms. Jenkins, long time no see.”

Natalia returned the smile, “Mr. Joyner, indeed it’s been a while. What brings you to Silkwood City?”

Ronin raised an eyebrow and said, “I’m here for some business, and when I heard Ryan wanted to check on you, I tagged along. Hope you don’t mind?”

Natalia laughed light–heartedly, “Of course not.”

If she managed to resign from Ivy Gemstone, she might work for Ron Group in the future.

If that happened, Ronin would be her boss. She wasn’t about to offend him now.

Ryan eyed Natalia with concern. “Why do you look so pale? And you’ve lost weight.”

Natalia replied, “I’ve been sleeping poorly. It’ll pass.” She paused, then added, “Thank you for that day, Ryan.”

It was only later that she learned Ryan and Dawson had chased after her relentlessly, heedless of their own safety, in an attempt to rescue her.

Ryan chuckled, “No need to thank me. I only regret not being a better driver to stop that car. Then you wouldn’t have suffered so much.”

Natalia fell silent.

Ronin couldn’t help but interject. “Are we just going to chat on the sidewalk? Ms. Jenkins, how about joining us for dinner? We can also discuss our business.”

Ronin had come primarily for Natalia.

She hadn’t been responding to him, but recently, there had been a change in her tone. He was

11:23

eager to seize this opportunity.

Ryan nodded in agreement. “Yeah, let’s have a meal. I’ve got some things to discuss with you, too.”

Natalia checked the time. She wasn’t very hungry, and after three days with barely any food, her stomach could only handle liquids.

But she agreed to join them because there were things she needed to discuss with both men.

Natalia got into the car, and the three of them chose a well–known local bistro.

As they entered, they bumped into Victor leaving with a woman who bore a resemblance to Natalia. Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

Victor was taken aback.

Ever since he had seen Natalia rescued from the sea, his heart had ached inexplicably. He had always treated her like a plaything, yet he found himself genuinely concerned for her. This time, Victor didn’t greet Natalia with his usual mockery. Instead, he asked with uncharacteristic calm, “Ms. Jenkins, are you alright?”

Natalia’s expression was cool, her eyes filled with disdain. “I’m fine, Mr. Henkel. Thanks for your concern.”

Without another word, she followed Ryan and Ronin into a private dining room.

1

Victor’s gaze lingered on the closed door of the private dining room as a slight frown creased his forehead.

The woman standing next to him was growing visibly upset. “Why do you keep staring at that chick, huh?”

Victor shot her a glance, his voice dripping with indifference, “My business isn’t your concern,

is it?”

Feeling slighted but too intimidated to speak up, she knew all too well that Victor’s mood swings were as unpredictable as the weather in March. One moment he could be all smiles, and the next, he’d turn

as cold as a winter storm.

And right now, his mood was as foul as it gets. Natalia’s standoffishness had gotten under his skin something fierce.

Glancing at the woman beside him, Victor felt that she seemed even more tedious than before. “Get lost,” he snapped. “I’ll have my secretary wire you some cash. Just don’t show your face around me anymore.”

With that, he strode out without a backward glance.

Once in his car, Victor couldn’t stop ruminating. Finally, he decided to give Hamilton a call.

11:23.

Back at his apartment, Hamilton found the housekeeper had already prepared dinner. Seeing him return alone, she couldn’t help but ask “Mr. Fowler, where’s Ms. Jenkins tonight?”

The light in Hamilton’s eyes dimmed as he answered. “She’s staying at the hospital tonight.”

The housekeeper paused, a hint of concern in her voice. “Should I whip up something for Ms. Jenkins to take to her? She can’t just skip meals. Mr. Fowler, you really should talk to her. It’s not good to be at odds all the time.”

Hamilton’s brows knitted together tightly. “No need. Mind your own business and go rest.”

Not daring to press the matter further, the housekeeper retreated with a nod.

Hamilton retreated to the solitude of his bedroom. It was unchanged, still permeated with Natalia’s scent. After a hot shower, he stood in front of the mirror, the steamy reflection reminding him of Natalia. She always dried her hair here, her skin flushed from the heat.

A wave of irritation swept over him, and in a sudden outburst of anger, he punched the mirror, shattering it.

The loud crash brought the housekeeper running. She gasped at the sight of his hand, bloodied by shards of glass, but he seemed unfazed.

“Mr. Fowler, you-

“I said it’s none of your concern. Go.”

She left, and Hamilton leaned back in the walk–in closet, slowly smoking a cigarette as he gazed at Natalia’s left–behind clothes. That’s when his phone rang.

Victor was direct. “Hamilton, what’s the deal with you and Natalia now?”

Hamilton took a drag of his cigarette, his gaze darkening. “Why? Are you still got a thing for her?”

Victor paused before replying, “I’m thinking of pursuing her. Seriously this time.”

Hamilton’s eyes narrowed sharply. After a brief laugh, he retorted icily, “Victor, Natalia’s my woman. I’d drop that fantasy if I were you.”

With that, he hung up and dialed Natalia.

Natalia had barely sat down with Ryan and Ronin when Hamilton’s call came through. She glanced at the screen and promptly hung up.

Frowning at the disconnected call, Hamilton redialed, his expression grim. Natalia didn’t hesitate to cut the call again. She really didn’t want to get into it with Hamilton, especially not in front of others.

But Hamilton was relentless, as if he wouldn’t rest until she picked up.

Ronin chuckled from the sidelines. “Seems Mr. Fowler can’t quite let go of you, Ms. Jenkins.”

Taking a deep breath, Natalia blocked Hamilton’s number without a second thought.

Hamilton sneered at the disconnected call and dialed again, only to be met with a busy signal this time.