Echoes of a Forsaken Heart novel Chapter 172

"Hamilton, what on earth are you doing? Why did you let them in?" Eveleen's eyes shimmered with barely concealed panic.

Lucinda was beside herself with worry.

"Yeah, Mr. Fowler, why did you let them in? Eveleen's still recovering, the doctor said she can't be stressed right now."

But Hamilton just leaned against the doorframe, his gaze icy as he watched the mother and daughter.

"Eveleen, same old story, you mess up, you face the music. If an attempt to check out early clears your slate, does that mean you can do whatever you want from now on, thinking suicide will let you off the hook?"

Eveleen stared at Hamilton, her eyes brimming with incredulity following her shock.

She never imagined, even after her desperate act, that Hamilton would still demand a price be paid.

A surge of resentment swelled within her.

It was all Natalia's fault.

Without Natalia, Hamilton would never treat her this way!

Tears started falling freely as she looked at him, a glint of spite in her eyes. "Hamilton, are you really going to do this to me?"

"Do you even care about my life anymore?"

"Is this your promise to protect me forever?"

"Or is it that for Natalia's sake, you'd rather watch me fade away!"

Hamilton remained silent, his cool demeanor unshaken by her sobs.

After what seemed like an eternity, he let out a cold laugh.

His voice carried a chill as he finally spoke. "Eveleen, it didn't have to be this way."

Eveleen choked up, her expression swiftly morphing into one of pitiable fear.

"I was just so scared, you've been so good to Natalia, I feared, I feared that one day you'd only care for Natalia and not for me. Hamilton, you mean too much to me, I'm terrified of losing you."

Hamilton responded flatly, "What's done is done, excuses don't cut it."

With that, he turned and walked away, leaving Eveleen's cries echoing from the hospital room.

Alden came rushing in, his concern palpable.

Hamilton, pocketing one hand, headed for the smoking lounge.

Alden hurried after him.

"How's it going?"

He took a drag before asking.

Alden frowned, "Orpheus changed his statement. He's taking the fall for the kidnapping, but Mr. Spiegel's in the loop now. He told me to tell you, don't regret it."

Hamilton's eyes narrowed, but he remained silent.

Alden couldn't help himself. "Hamilton, are you seriously done with Ms. Jenkins?"

Hamilton chuckled bitterly, "Would it matter? She's got a new beau."

"Just because she's dating doesn't mean it's over. People break up all the time, even marriages."

Hamilton took another drag, his deep-set eyes betraying a flicker of pain, his heart constricting with discomfort.

She knew very well why he asked those questions.

Yet she answered without hesitation.

He thought, expecting such a heartless woman to look back? Dream on.

Alden, brow furrowed, pressed on. "This time with Eveleen, if you hadn't stepped in, what could she have done? I doubt she'd actually go through with it. Hamilton, you can't let go of Eveleen, can you? No wonder Ms. Jenkins left you. I wouldn't stand for it either."

Alden's words stung, almost like he was saying Hamilton deserved it.

Hamilton's gaze sharpened.

His face darkened significantly.

"If you've got nothing sensible to say, zip it!"

But Alden continued, "And I think Ms. Jenkins' new guy is a good catch. Good family, handsome, bright future, and I heard he's been after Ms. Jenkins for at least four years. Now he's finally got her; he'll cherish her even more. Maybe after the New Year, they'll tie the knot."

The more Hamilton heard, the more his expression soured.

Each word from Alden pricked at his heart like a needle.