Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart

Chapter 66

Hamilton gazed at her as if she were a simpleton. “Didn't | just hand it to you?”

He reached out and touched Natalia’s forehead. “Ms. Jenkins, is your brain fried?”

Natalia let out a chuckle. “I just didn’t expect you to give me a present, that’s all.”

Hamilton withdrew his hand, nonchalantly retorting, “It’s hardly a present, just a little something to make up for things.”

Natalia didn’t pry into what he was making up for. She just bowed her head and opened the box. It was only when she saw what was inside that she paused.

A pair of earrings lay nestled in the box, their diamonds sparkling brilliantly. Instantly, she remembered the earrings that had been up for auction. She had glimpsed them on the big screen for just a moment, and these bore a striking resemblance.

So, this was his idea of compensation.

Natalia examined the earrings in her hand. They were indeed very similar to the auctioned pair. But no matter how similar, one was authentic, the other a replica—just like her and Eveleen.

In Hamilton’s eyes, she must be the replica.

With a soft laugh, she closed the box.

“Don't like them?” Hamilton inquired.

Natalia shook her head. “Not at all.”

Hamilton gave her a look but said nothing more.

Upon returning home, Natalia tucked the box into a drawer and headed straight for the bathroom. Hamilton leaned against the bathroom door, watching her. “Hungry for anything?”

Natalia paused. They had both skipped breakfast, and there seemed to be no sign of the nanny. “Where’s the nanny?” Hamilton's response was casual. “I let her go.”

Natalia’s brows furrowed sharply.Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

Hamilton’s expression was lazy. “Since you didn’t seem keen on keeping her, | figured I'd oblige.” Natalia felt a lump in her throat. She took a deep breath and met Hamilton’s gaze.

“| never said | didn’t want her. Bring her back. | actually liked her.”

14:30

But Hamilton merely said, “Hmm, you didn’t say, but your actions spoke vol

Natalia opened her mouth to object.

Hamilton didn’t wait for her to speak, ending the topic and asking again. “What do you want to eat?* Natalia knew arguing was futile once Hamilton had made up his mind.

“Whatever,” she muttered, trying to close the bathroom door

But Hamilton stopped it halfway. “Let's take care of that arm first.”

After saying so, he turned and left, returning shortly with a roll of kitchen cling film. He bent down and carefully wrapped her arm in it.

Natalia’s gaze fell. “Is this because | didn’t let the nanny come to the hospital wo me?”

Hamilton didn’t even glance up as he said, “As a nanny, she should know her job is to take care of you. If she failed in that, then there’s no need for her to stick around. You understand. MS. Jenkins, | don’t keep freeloaders.”

He only looked up, his eyes meeting hers, after he finished speaking. “Is there a problem, Ms. Jenkins?”

Natalia couldn't argue but felt somewhat guilty. The nanny had offered to accompany her, but she had declined. She hadn't expected it to cost the woman her job.

Without another word, Natalia turned and entered the bathroom.

After a shower, she felt a bit better. There was food already laid out in the dining room, with Hamilton reading the newspaper on the sofa.

As she moved, Hamilton looked up, furrowing his brow slightly. “Dry your hair.”

Natalia nodded, and once she had finished drying her hair, Hamilton was already seated at the dining table. “lll have meals delivered every day for a while.”

“Okay.”

It really didn’t matter to Natalia if the meals were delivered or not. Though she was still a bit weak, she was capable of cooking. But since Hamilton said so, she didn’t bother to argue.

Near the end of their meal, Natalia’s phone suddenly rang. It was Lionel

Hamilton’s expression darkened at the sight.

Natalia hesitated on whether to answer.

With effortless grace, Hamilton wiped his mouth with a napkin, then casually tossed it onto the table. “Aren't you going to take the call?” His face was clouded with anger.

14:30

Natalia took a deep breath and answered.

There was nothing going on between her and Lionel. Not answering seemed like an admission of guilt. As she began to speak, Hamilton took the phone from her hand and switched it to speakerphone.

Natalia’s expression soured. Hamilton looked at her. “What’s wrong. Ms. Jenkins? Got something to hide?”

“| have nothing to hide.” She didn’t mind speaking to Lionel in front of Hamilton, but she didn’t like the idea of her private conversation being aired.

But now that the call was connected, she didn’t want to embarrass herself in front of Lionel either. Suppressing her irritation, she greeted, “Hi, Lionel.”

“Natalia, feeling better?” Lionel’s voice was warm and inviting.

“Much better, I’ve been discharged. Anything urgent, Lionel?”

His voice lightened up, sounding exceptionally gentle. “I might need to schedule some case analysis meetings soon. Are you available? I’d like you to be up to speed on a lot of the details beforehand.”

Natalia understood the importance of the meetings. Had Hamilton not been present, she would have agreed immediately. But with Hamilton there, agreement would only invite unnecessary trouble.

“Can | join via video call?”

“That works, too. Join by video if it’s inconvenient to come in person.”

“Alright.” Natalia was about to hang up when Hamilton grabbed her wrist. “What about your contract? Have you discussed it with Mr. Fowler?” Lionel added.

Natalia’s fingers tensed. Hamilton’s grip was like a vise, painfully tight. She inhaled sharply, enduring the pain as she said, “Not yet.”

Lionel paused for a moment, then said, “You should have a heart-to-heart with Mr. Fowler. He’s not the type to be unreasonable, plus the Ivy Group isn’t exactly hurting for talent. I’m sure he can manage without you.”

Natalia’s lips were pressed tightly together, and after a long moment, she finally answered, “Okay, | understand.” It was only after hanging up the phone that Natalia allowed herself to breathe a sigh of relief. However, Hamilton still hadn’t released his grip on her wrist.

Chapter 6b

In one swift motion, he pulled Natalia down onto his lap, his strong hand encircling her waist.

“What did you want to discuss?” he inquired.

Natalia’s body tensed up. “The termination agreement. Would you be willing to discuss that?” Hamilton rested his chin on her shoulder, his chuckle sending a warm breath cascading over her ear. “Sure, if you want to discuss, we can discuss. After all, I’m not the type to be unreasonable.”

The sensation of his breath on her ear made Natalia incredibly uncomfortable.

Even though their relationship remained unchanged, after everything that had happened, she couldn't face him with the same ease as before.

She tried to shift away, but Hamilton pulled her back once more. “How would you like to discuss this?” Natalia’s fingers dug into each other, trying her best to ignore the strange feeling emanating from her neck. “| hope you will agree to a clean break.”

Hamilton let out a soft laugh. “Lionel might not know me, but don’t you, Ms. Jenkins? Do you really think I’d agree to such a loss?”

Natalia had anticipated this outcome. She hadn't expected Hamilton to agree to a peaceful termination of their contract. All she wanted now was to negotiate some terms that would be

in her favor.

Taking a deep breath, Natalia spoke up, “I can continue working, but | don’t want any more contact with Eveleen on the job. Also,” she paused, gathering her thoughts, “I would like you to stop interfering with my side projects and my right to make friends.”