Echoes of a Forsaken Heart novel Chapter 167

Eveleen's heart skipped a beat, a sudden jolt that seemed to echo the hollow drop of disappointment within her.

What on earth did Hamilton mean by that?

Was the necklace—her last card—not enough to sway him?

Had Natalia become so indispensable in his life?

"Hamilton, are you really going to wash your hands off me?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper.

Hamilton lounged on the couch, his eyes resting on Eveleen's tear-streaked face, his mind involuntarily drifting to the image of Natalia sprawled on a rocky shore. A leaden weight settled in his chest, unspoken and heavy.

"Actions have consequences, Eveleen. It's as simple as that."

"Hamilton! Have you forgotten..." she pleaded, her face ashen.

"You mean what happened when we were young? Eveleen, do you really think that I can really tolerate you forever because of our childhood?"

Eveleen turned pale.

The tension in the room was palpable.

The onlookers exchanged confused glances, unable to fathom what could have led Hamilton to treat Eveleen with such cold indifference.

Victor, aware of some of the undercurrents, chuckled lightly. "Hamilton, ease up, will you? Look at Evi, pale as a sheet."

"Don't worry, Eveleen. Hamilton's just pulling your leg. He wouldn't let you suffer like that."

Victor's words seemed to relax the room slightly.

But before anyone could further the conversation, Hamilton's scoff cut through the tentative calm.

"Mr. Henkel, if you want to help, go ahead. Leave me out of it."

Eveleen's fury flared at his response. Hamilton was serious about abandoning her.

"Hamilton, you're serious about this?"

Victor's brow furrowed in concern.

"Because of Natalia?"

He knew the story that others didn't. The day Natalia nearly died was linked to Eveleen, though Victor had also felt a twinge of anger. But to him, Natalia, while tragic, wasn't as vital as Eveleen. And if that was true for him, it surely had to be for Hamilton.

Hamilton remained silent, his expression unreadable.

Victor's face grew stern. "Are you really falling for her? Hamilton, are you in love with her?"

Because only true feelings could explain why Hamilton was willing to push Eveleen aside for Natalia's sake.

Hamilton snorted. Love or not, what did it matter?

His actions were driven by one fact—Natalia was his woman, and he was intent on winning her back. That was all.

Casting a wary glance at Victor, Hamilton retorted, "Are you out of your mind?"

He then turned to Eveleen, his stance softening just slightly.

"I won't restrict you from seeing a doctor anymore, but don't expect me to find one for you. And as for everything else, I'm done intervening. Eveleen, no one can indulge you forever, not even me."

With those final words, Hamilton stood and left the room, plunging it once again into an eerie silence.

Eveleen, pale as death, seethed with rage.

Victor frowned, casting a worried glance at her. "He's serious this time."

Eveleen glared at him. "Shut up!"

Victor shrugged, his own concern deepening.

As Hamilton exited the Crest Club, he ran into Elliott, who had arrived late.

"Leaving already?" Elliott asked, surprised.

Hamilton ignored him.

Elliott caught his arm. "Natalia's father made a scene at the hospital today. It's a good thing I was there."

Hamilton's brow furrowed deeply. "Did you handle it?"

Elliott nodded. "But don't worry, I only helped her because of you."

Hamilton shot him a look. "Mind your own business."

Elliott was taken aback. How had he become the meddler?

But Hamilton was already walking away, leaving Elliott to head into Crest Club alone.

Hamilton drove straight to Lotus Estates after leaving the club, just in time to catch Dr. Scarlett returning from work and spotting him smoking at the building's entrance.

Rolling her eyes, she spat disdainfully in his direction before heading upstairs.

Hamilton saw her gesture and called out, "Dr. Scarlett."

She stopped and turned, her expression one of irritation. "What do you want, Mr. Fowler?"

"Get Natalia for me," he said, his gaze falling.

Scarlett's temper flared. Did he really think Natalia was at his beck and call?

"Why don't you call her yourself?"

Hamilton's patience was wearing thin. Natalia might reject him, but that didn't mean others could.