Echoes of a Forsaken Heart novel Chapter 142

"Sorry." Hamilton's face was a tad stiff as he uttered the word.

Natalia let out a chuckle. "Drop the apologies, Hamilton. If Eveleen means so much to you, then just make sure you two are happy together, okay? As long as you don't bother me, I'll be more than grateful."

Hamilton's face contorted at her words.

Was she really so keen to cut him off?

And since when had he ever said he wanted to be with Eveleen?

Natalia could tell Hamilton was riled up, but she didn't care. She spun on her heel and headed for the apartment building.

Hamilton reached out, grabbing her wrist. Natalia's eyebrows knitted together, and then she noticed the blood dripping from his hand.

Her lips tightened, but she didn't pull away.

"What do you want?"

Hamilton's lips twitched, struggling to speak. "Natalia, can you give me a chance to make it up to you? I swear, nothing like that will ever happen again. You call me anytime, and I'll be there, okay?"

Natalia's laugh was dry, "Do you want to compensate me, Mr. Fowler?"

Hamilton nodded frantically.

Natalia eyed him and said, "So, I want Eveleen behind bars. After all, she's hurt me more than once. Can you do that, Mr. Fowler?"

Hamilton's brow furrowed instantly. His grip on her wrist tightened unconsciously.

After a long silence, he managed to say, "Natalia, our issues have nothing to do with Eveleen."

Natalia laughed, breaking free from his hold. "If you really want to make amends, just sign the agreement cheerfully tomorrow. That's all I'm asking for right now."

With that, Natalia slipped from his grasp and disappeared into the building.

Hamilton stood there, watching her resolute figure disappear, and a cold laugh escaped him.

He had no idea when she had become so hard to appease.

Back home, Natalia found Scarlett still out on the balcony. Seeing her come in, Scarlett waved urgently.

"The dog's still there."

Natalia was uninterested. She washed up, poured herself some porridge, and started eating.

Scarlett watched her and asked, "Natalia, are you okay?"

Natalia nodded. "I'm fine. What could be wrong?"

Scarlett sat across from her. "What did you say to Hamilton?"

Natalia's grip on the spoon paused as she said, "I'm going to sign a termination agreement tomorrow, and that'll be the end of it."

Scarlett frowned. "Shouldn't you ask for some kind of compensation? You almost lost your life because of him, and to just let it go seems too easy on him."

Right now, Natalia didn't care for compensation. As long as Hamilton was willing to let go, she was willing to walk away with nothing.

Natalia's expression was somber.

Seeing this, Scarlett didn't press the issue and simply tapped Natalia's hand.

"The hospital just got a new director, only 30, handsome, and have a good family background. How about I introduce you?"

Natalia smiled. "Forget it. I'm just focused on making my own money right now."

She didn't want to be choked by financial dependency on anyone anymore, not Patrick, not Hamilton, not ever again.

Seeing Natalia's resolve, Scarlett let it be.

"Will you be okay going by yourself tomorrow? I could take a day off and come with you."

"I’ll be fine," Natalia shook her head, "It's just signing a paper, and I've already got an appointment with a lawyer."

That's what she said, but Scarlett knew Natalia might not feel as nonchalant as she claimed. After all, it was about someone she had loved for years.

She still remembered how Natalia's eyes sparkled in high school when she talked about someone she liked.

Scarlett didn't say much else, just hugged Natalia and said, "It'll get better."

Natalia responded with a smile. Yeah, it would get better. The process was painful, but fortunately, she could see the hope for a new life.

Scarlett went to sleep after freshening up.

Natalia lay in bed, restless. She got up for a glass of water and saw Hamilton's car still parked below from the kitchen balcony.

With a glance, Natalia turned away, but her grip on the glass turned her knuckles white.

After a while, she sniffled, drank the water, and returned to bed.

...

The next day.

Natalia took a cab straight to the café.

Caspian was already there when she arrived. The exceptionally handsome man sat in the café, the morning sunshine spilling over him, compelling a second glance.

Natalia approached with a smile and said, "Thanks for making the time, Mr. Spiegel."

Caspian frowned at her. "You seem in good spirits, but you've lost weight since I last saw you. Have you really been fasting?"

Natalia felt oddly defensive. "It'll be over after today."

Caspian's face held a hint of reproach. "Remember, no matter what happens, your health comes first."

Natalia nodded, smiling.

Hamilton walked in, his face stormy. Seeing Caspian, his expression darkened further.

"Mr. Spiegel, you have time on your hands now, huh? Isn't your expertise needed elsewhere?"

Caspian's chuckle was smooth, "No need to worry about my expertise, Mr. Fowler. I'll ensure this agreement is airtight, without any room for dispute."

Hamilton's retort was stifled, and his complexion grew even more sour. His gaze shifted to Natalia. "Ms. Jenkins sure commands a lot of respect, to have a man of Mr. Spiegel's stature at her beck and call."

Natalia could sense the mockery in Hamilton's tone, but she offered no explanation, merely glancing at Caspian.

"Mr. Spiegel, would you get the termination agreement you drafted? I'm pressed for time."

Hamilton's expression soured further. "Is there such a rush?"

"Yes." Natalia nodded in agreement.

Caspian shot Hamilton a cheeky grin and pulled out the pre-prepared termination agreement.

"Take a look, and if everything is in order, we can sign off on it."

Natalia glanced at the document, and trusting Caspian implicitly, she briskly scrawled her signature.

Hamilton, on the other hand, scrutinized the terms as if he were deciphering ancient runes, stubbornly withholding his signature.

Natalia wanted to urge him on, but she knew Hamilton all too well. Pressing him now would only backfire.

Caspian wasn't fazed. He casually struck up a conversation with Natalia.

"I've been meaning to invite you out for a meal, and I've yet to make good on that promise. When are you free?"

"I should be the one inviting you, Mr. Spiegel," Natalia replied. "Just call me whenever you're available."

"How about today? No time like the present."

Hamilton's hand froze in place, and he looked up sharply at Caspian. "Mr. Spiegel, may I remind you that you're an engaged man?"

Caspian chuckled, "Hamilton, you of all people should know what's going on between Bianca Spiegel and me."

Hamilton's face darkened instantly.

Bianca was Delia's adopted daughter. Effectively, Caspian's sister. The so-called engagement was nothing more than a familial arrangement, and both were well aware that it was merely for show.

Otherwise, Caspian wouldn't still be a bachelor at his age.

Natalia pursed her lips, sensing that Caspian was being deliberate, but she held her tongue.

Hamilton's expression grew even grimmer. He scribbled his name on the agreement.

Natalia grabbed her copy of the document, ready to leave. "Mr. Spiegel, shall we?"

Hamilton suddenly grasped her wrist. "I've found a doctor, quite skilled in treating cramps. I'll take you to see them in a bit."

Natalia paused. Before she could respond, Hamilton's phone burst into a familiar ringtone.

Natalia couldn't help but let out a derisive snort. "Mr. Fowler, perhaps you should tend to your sweetheart first. I won't be needing your concern anymore."