Echoes of a Forsaken Heart novel Chapter 1

"Have you heard? Someone on our floor is expecting a baby!"

"How did you know?"

"I just saw a pregnancy test stick in the bathroom!"

"No way, who would be so bold to take a test at the company?"

Natalia Jenkins had just walked into the office when she caught the buzz of gossip. She paused in her tracks, glancing toward the two interns who had been chatting in low voices.

Their faces turned pale upon seeing her, and they quickly bowed their heads to their tasks.

Natalia gathered her thoughts and proceeded to her office.

Meanwhile, in the company's chat group, someone threw the bombshell again.

"Someone on the 26th floor's got guts, who can it be?"

"Why don't we place bets and guess who it is?"

"Sure thing, let's get the betting pool started!"

Natalia's temples throbbed as she read the messages. She had been careless. She should have flushed the stick or wrapped it in paper before discarding it.

If Hamilton Fowler found out, she could hardly imagine the consequences.

Her assistant knocked and entered, "Ms. Jenkins, Mr. Fowler would like to see you in his office."

Natalia's fingers tensed slightly.

"Ms. Jenkins?"

She responded, "Okay, I'll be right there."

After Natalia left, the office buzzed again. One of the interns piped up.

"Do you think it could be Ms. Jenkins? I saw her leaving the bathroom right before finding the test stick."

"It can't be Ms. Jenkins! Have you ever seen her dating? She doesn't even have a partner, how could it be her?"

"Ms. Jenkins is so pretty and yet she's single?"

The chatter grew louder until the assistant couldn't bear it anymore. "Quiet down! You're supposed to be working now, not gossiping!"

Standing outside the CEO's office, Natalia took a deep breath.

Before she could knock, the door swung open from inside.

Hamilton's executive assistant stepped out.

"Ms. Jenkins, the CEO is waiting for you."

Natalia offered a tight-lipped smile, "Alright, thank you."

The office was filled with the scent of alcohol.

A subtle aroma lingered in the air.

Hamilton had been drinking at a business lunch.

He was now reclining on the couch, his legs casually bent, wearing a black shirt that gave him a rakish yet debonair look.

Even with his eyes closed, his features were striking.

Natalia sighed inwardly.

No wonder women were always flocking around Hamilton. He had it all – not just power and influence, but also good looks and a strong physique. What woman could resist such a man?

But Natalia knew all too well the coldness of this man. He was emotionally detached. None of the women who passed through his life ever touched his heart.

She was no exception.

"Come here," the man commanded, his voice devoid of emotion.

Natalia snapped out of her reverie and approached him.

"Do you need something, Mr. Fowler?"

Hamilton's lips curved into a slight smirk as he pulled her onto his lap, his hand slipping under the hem of her business attire.

Natalia tensed, all too familiar with Hamilton's desires, especially when he was drunk. Even during the day, he would want her. And his buzz would fade afterwards.

It was a peculiar way for Hamilton to sober up.

"I have a meeting soon," Natalia protested, trying to restrain his wandering hand.

But Hamilton was already nibbling at her neck, "Then hurry up, won't you?"

He punctuated his words with a firmer suck on her neck.

"Don’t leave a mark."

Hamilton chuckled softly, his breath tinged with alcohol. "Just cooperate, and I won't."

Natalia pinched herself discreetly to ignore the reactions he stirred in her body.

"I'm not feeling well today. Can I just use my hand?"

Hamilton's gaze narrowed, the drunken haze replaced by desire, "Not feeling well? Is it that time? I thought it wasn't due yet."

With that, he reached to verify her discomfort. After checking, his expression darkened.

"You’re unwilling?"

Natalia mentioned her upcoming negotiation with Victor Henkel, which would require energy.

Hamilton, appearing languid with his chin resting on her shoulder, skillfully unclasped her bra from beneath her blouse.

"Hard work, Ms. Jenkins," he said, the word 'hard' carrying a double entendre, as he refused to release her, intensifying his actions instead.

Natalia was silent for a moment, realizing there was no escape today, "Then be gentle."

"Would it make you feel better?"

Hamilton was a picture of refinement externally, but he was anything but in the bedroom – a real scoundrel, talking dirtily and leaving her aching inside every time.

Natalia had a special reason to be apprehensive today.

"Alright, I'll be gentle. But if you're the one asking for more later, don't blame me."

Her cheeks flushed, which Hamilton found irresistible. He licked her earlobe before gently sucking on it.

The sensation made Natalia shiver, and Hamilton's laughter echoed in her ear.

"So sensitive?"

He held her chin and captured her lips, the taste of alcohol spreading between them. Natalia resisted slightly.

Hamilton tightened his grip, causing her to whimper in pain.

"Hamilton, be gentle."

Instead, he tightened his grip once more as a punitive gesture.

"Natalia, be good."

Her name from his lips melted her resistance, and Hamilton, satisfied, carried her to the resting area.

An hour later, they finished.

Natalia felt spent from his attentions, her body slick with sweat as she rested against Hamilton's chest.

His hand lay possessively on her waist.

"Why weren't you into it today, Natalia?"

Natalia took a moment to gather her strength, her legs sore as she picked up her clothes from the floor.

"Hamilton, have you ever thought about settling down? About marriage and having kids?"

Hamilton's eyes frosted over instantly.

"No, why?"

His blunt response sent a chill through Natalia.

Natalia knew that marriage and children weren't in the cards with him, but something inside her, perhaps a sliver of hope or sheer curiosity, nudged her to test the waters.

"Nothing, just something that popped into my head," she said, shrugging off the lingering thought as she slipped on her jacket and headed to the bathroom.

Inside, she gently caressed her abdomen, a mix of emotions swirling within her that she couldn't quite articulate. The only clear sensation was a subtle, spreading ache.

"Aren't you supposed to be in a meeting, Ms. Jenkins? Daydreaming on company time?"

Hamilton stood at the bathroom doorway, having changed into a crisp shirt, meticulously fastening each button with a casual ease.

Snapping back to the present, Natalia withdrew her hand from her stomach and glanced at him. His expression was unreadable, which allowed her to breathe a sigh of relief.

"Victor is a tough nut to crack. Looks like I'll be working overtime tonight."

Hamilton hummed noncommittally in response.

After composing herself and splashing her face with cold water to calm the flushed skin, Natalia made her way out of the bathroom.

Just as she reached the door, Hamilton called out to her, his voice carrying a hint of curiosity that was hard to place.

"I heard there's someone pregnant on your floor. It isn't you, is it?"