Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart

Chapter 29

Natalia couldn't deny the fact that she had tattled. Just the night before, she had complained to Hamilton multiple times about Eveleen’s lack of cooperation, which led her to seek Gideon’s intervention.

She hadn’t expected Hamilton to actually confront Eveleen about it, especially since Eveleen was his first love-the one he had never spoken harshly to. Perhaps he had done it for the sake of the project’s progress, but it still sent ripples through Natalia’s heart.

Tiny sparrows of emotion fluttered uncontrollably within her, no matter how much she tried to suppress them. In a way, she pitied herself. Any small acts of kindness Hamilton showed her, she clung to secretly and cherished for a long time.

Natalia didn’t elaborate to Aurora. She pushed these thoughts aside and started organizing the shoot, coordinating with the photographer and the crew. By the time she had finished, Eveleen’s makeup was done.

Eveleen stood before Natalia with a light chuckle. “Hamilton’s throwing a welcome bash for me. You should come and have some fun.”

Natalia declined straight away. “Better not. I'd rather not spoil everyone’s mood by showing up.” With that, she walked away. Eveleen’s laughter was particularly gleeful. “What's the matter? Afraid to see Hamilton being too nice to me?”

The thought made Natalia’s heart sink. Indeed, she didn’t want to witness Hamilton's affectionate behavior towards Eveleen. The kindness Hamilton showed her, Natalia, came after much effort and was always in little doses, whereas Eveleen seemed to hold a special place in his heart effortlessly.

In comparison, she was pitiful, really. Natalia looked at Eveleen. “Ms. Schafer, we’re about to start shooting.” Eveleen glanced back at her with a smirk and turned to leave.

The shoot did not go smoothly. The concept had been tailored for Lyra, and Eveleen’s style was vastly different. The photographer was perpetually dissatisfied, forcing Natalia to make on-the-fly adjustments. It wasn’t until the end of the day that they wrapped up something resembling a decent shoot, leaving everyone exhausted.

Eveleen clapped her hands at the set. “Everyone’s worked hard today. Dinner’s on me at Sundrew Private Cuisine.” There was a collective gasp from the crew, all traces of earlier grievances and complaints vanishing instantly.

Tess sneered from the side. “Playing the good guy now, huh? As if she wasn’t the one holding us up earlier.” Natalia offered a light smile. “Do you want to go? If you do, just go.”Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

Sundrew Private Cuisine was exclusive, members-only. It wasn’t a place for the average Joe: most would never step foot inside in their lifetime. Even someone like Eveleen wouldn't typically have access, but of course, she had Hamilton backing her up—that was the buzz among the crowd.

Tess shook her head. “I'd rather help my mom clean up at home with that time.” Natalia smiled and dropped the subject.

As colleagues gathered around Eveleen with excitement, inquiring whether Mr. Fowler would be attending. Eveleen’s face flushed slightly as she promised to ask Hamilton, assuring them that Hamilton always listened to her.

Eveleen approached Natalia. “Ms. Jenkins, join us?”

Natalia smiled faintly. “No thanks, I've got plans and someone else to meet.” Eveleen’s mood soured. “Are you still angry with me?”

Natalia chuckled. “Of course not. How could | be mad at someone as lovely as you?” “Then come have dinner. Otherwise, people might think we're at odds.”

Natalia had to admit she admired Eveleen’s efforts, bending and stretching just to spite her. She knew if she didn’t go, she’d likely be labeled as Eveleen’s adversary.

With a strained smile, she nodded. “Alright, I'll come.” Eveleen beamed. “Ms. Jenkins, you’re so kind.”

Tess shivered at the exchange. Once Eveleen was out of earshot, she whispered to Natalia, “Mr. Fowler must be blind to fancy someone like her!”

Natalia just smiled. It was indeed a mystery. Hamilton had his pick of women-pure, seductive. vibrant, generous. He had no shortage of options, yet he chose Eveleen, someone with none of these qualities but a pretty face. But what could she do? Feeling is a mysterious thing.

“To each of his own, | guess,” Natalia said. Tess shook her head with disapproval.

Arriving at Sundrew Private Cuisine, Eveleen confidently dropped Hamilton’s name at the entrance, eliciting envy from the crowd. Natalia trailed behind, pretending not to notice Hamilton made his appearance, giving Eveleen dignity and making her the center of attention. Natalia sat quietly in the corner, eating her meal and observing Eveleen flutter around like a lively butterfly, with Hamilton’s gaze fixed on her, full of tenderness and occasional laughter. Natalia’s mind drifted back to her childhood. Despite being dragged from place to place with

Tatiana, she was cherished. Tatiana had lost her memories, but her innate talent for song and dance remained. Natalia grew up learning to dance alongside Tatiana, living like a little princess even in the countryside.

Then came Hamilton, whose solemn mood and silent brooding became Natalia’s least favorite. atmosphere. He was strikingly handsome, the kind of guy who should wear a smile like his best accessory. So, she made it her personal mission to coax laughter out of him every chance she got.

She remembered one time she invited Hamilton over to her place and prepared an array of his favorite treats. Back in the day, Hamilton would've been all smiles and banter over such a feast.

But that day, he didn’t even crack a grin. Struck by inspiration, Natalia declared, “How about | show you a dance | just learned? You're my first audience, so feel special!”

She slipped into a dress her mom had sewn for her and performed the new dance she had been practicing. The image of that day was etched in her memory.

Little Hamilton, much like he was today, watched her tenderly, his laughter breaking through at her antics.

Finally, he smiled, and Natalia thought his smile was truly breathtaking.

But now, he still smiles, just not for her.

Natalia’s gaze drifted away, suddenly finding the food before her taste as bitter as

disappointment. She figured maybe Hamilton just preferred someone like that-vibrant and adorable, like sunshine personified.

Eveleen wasn’t without her charms. Beyond her beauty, she was confident and bold, and even her fits of caprice were endearing. People like her were bound to be liked by many. Like Hamilton.

In contrast, Natalia felt dull and uninteresting; her pretty face was all she had to offer.

Suddenly, Natalia couldn’t stand another minute there. The place was suffocating. She stood up, heading for the exit. She hadn’t made it far when she heard someone call out.

“Ms. Jenkins, where are you off to?”