Echoes of a Forsaken Heart novel Chapter 22

Chapter 22 

Back when social engagements didn’t tie him up, Hamilton often enjoyed the luxury of meals prepared at home by Natalia. 

He was a food snob, finicky about every detail from the ingredients to the plating. Unless he had to, he seldom dined out. 

In the early days of their relationship, Natalia went to great lengths to satisfy his 

s gourmet inclinations. She once basked in the glow of his casual “not bad” for days on end. It seemed she had given him all of her efforts, youthful days, and heart–fluttering moments. 

The memory of cooking his favorite meal with a heart full of happiness now felt so distant. 

“What’s wrong?” Scarlett asked. 

Natalia hung up the phone, her face a shade paler than usual. “I have to go back.” 

Money was tight for her. She had to admit she still needed to rely on Hamilton for financial support. 

Her mother’s medical bills were a bottomless pit. And now, with a child on the way, a child she hadn’t initially planned for, she needed a solid financial foundation more than ever. 

After parting ways with Scarlett, Natalia made her way to the local farmer’s market. 

Hamilton insisted on the freshest ingredients; leftovers never lasted overnight in their fridge. 

By the time Natalia returned from the market, the evening had settled in. She spent two full hours in the kitchen conjuring up a meal of four dishes and a soup. Hamilton’s dining preferences were nothing short of ritualistic and Natalia could not afford to be careless in the 

kitchen. 

After two hours amid the greasy fumes, she felt nauseated and had to take antiemetic medication before calling Hamilton. But his phone went unanswered. 

She glanced at the clock on the wall. It was eight o’clock. 

He shouldn’t be in a meeting or working late at this hour. Did he not hear the phone, or was he ignoring it? 

After a moment’s hesitation, she dialed again. This time, he rejected her call straight up. 

Staring at the disconnected call, a wave of frustration washed over her. She exhaled softly and sent him a message. 

[Dinner’s ready. When are you coming back?] 

A brief pause later, her phone buzzed. 

[Not coming home for dinner.] 

Natalia stared at the message before replying with a simple: [Okay.] 

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14:34 

After sending it, she found herself fixated on Hamilton’s text. It was a peculiar feeling, a blend of hurt and disappointment and an unmistakable ache. 

When a man’s heart isn’t with you, he’ll never appreciate your sacrifices. 

Suddenly, nausea overwhelmed her, and she rushed to the bathroom. 

After throwing up, she braced herself on the sink, staring at her disheveled, pale reflection in the mirror for a long while before regaining her composure. Her nose tingled, but she refused to 

cry. 

Hamilton had already claimed too many of her tears. This had happened before; it was happening now, and it might well happen again. 

She had already given him everything, and she didn’t want to give him her tears, too. 

After washing her face, her mood had steadied. She sat down at the dining table and began to eat alone. Her cooking was actually quite good. Over the years, she had mastered many dishes just for Hamilton. Tonight’s spread was all his favorites. 

Natalia ate heartily. After finishing, she purged again. She then bagged up the unfinished meal and carried it downstairs. The neighborhood’s stray cats and dogs gathered around as she approached. 

Natalia set down small bowls and portioned out the food, dividing it among the eager animals. After feeding them, she didn’t leave. She squatted in the garden, watching the animals eat, unaware of the tears sliding down her cheeks. 

She wasn’t even sure why she was crying. 

It was unnecessary, wasn’t it? 

However, emotions during pregnancy are often uncontrollable. 

After some time, a pair of leather shoes stopped in front of her. 

Natalia didn’t look up. She didn’t want Hamilton to see her in such a mess. 

He stood silent before her, simply watching her feed the cats and dogs. 

Once the animals had scattered, he finally spoke. “Get up.” 

His voice was low, and his tone was less than pleasant. 

Had he returned with anger from an encounter with Eveleen? Natalia wondered. 

Natalia, now calm, looked up at Hamilton. “You’re back?” 

Hamilton squinted down at her. “Have you been crying?” 

Natalia offered a wry smile. “No, just a bug flew into my eye.” 

Hamilton seemed indifferent; his question was probably just a formality. 

Accepting her explanation of the bug, he nodded. “Are you done here? If so, let’s go in.” 

Chapter 22 

“I’d like to stay out here a bit longer.” 

He glanced at her. “Throwing a fit?” 

She chuckled softly. “Not at all, Mr. Fowler. Rest assured, I do have that much self–awareness.” “Good. Just don’t start with those dramatic antics.” 

Natalia fell silent. 

Hamilton lingered for a moment before asking again, “You’re really not going in?”