Echoes of a Forsaken Heart novel Chapter 7

Lounging on the couch with an air of casual ease, Hamilton seemed to be in a pretty good mood.

Beside him sat the woman from the café the day before, her skirt so short it barely reached her thighs.

Natalia glanced at the woman’s legs, pressed against Hamilton’s, before looking away. It seemed she had chosen an inopportune moment to arrive.

The woman’s face darkened at the sight of Natalia, but she held her tongue in Hamilton’s presence.

Hamilton raised an eyebrow at Natalia and asked, "Ms. Jenkins, what brings you here?"

Natalia glanced at the woman again and answered, "Just a small matter."

Hamilton leaned back and said, "If it's about resigning, Ms. Jenkins, you can just go to HR."

Natalia paused, "It's not about resigning."

Hamilton chuckled, "Then what is it? I thought the only reason you'd come to me is to resign."

Ignoring the sarcasm in his voice, Natalia eyed the woman by Hamilton’s side. "I would like to have a word with you alone, Mr. Fowler."

Hamilton was silent, as if weighing the need for a private conversation.

Natalia was anxious; she knew Hamilton’s temper well. He wouldn't let things slide easily, not after she had embarrassed him at the Crest Club and insisted on resigning.

As expected, he laughed softly, "Do we really need to talk alone, Ms. Jenkins?"

Natalia’s lips tightened; she took a deep breath and said, "Mr. Fowler, I've decided not to resign."

His expression didn't change as he asked, "And?"

"I'd like to discuss my future salary with you."

Hamilton crossed his arms, eventually addressing the woman beside him, "Ms. Miller, sorry, let's discuss our business another time."

Ms. Miller, shooting Natalia a glare of anger, mustered a smile for Hamilton. "Sure, Mr. Fowler. You handle Ms. Jenkins's issue first."

After a resentful look at Natalia, Ms. Miller huffed out.

Once she was gone, Hamilton turned his attention to Natalia.

"How would you like to talk?"

Natalia remained silent, unsure of how to begin. Hamilton seemed patient; he waited for her to speak.

"Mr. Fowler, I need to borrow some money," Natalia finally said, avoiding the topic of her resignation and asking for a loan instead.

Hamilton didn’t hide the mockery in his laugh.

"Do you think this is a charity, Ms. Jenkins? Or do you think we’re close enough for me to lend you money?"

Natalia's face flushed with embarrassment, as she had anticipated. Still, she persisted, "I will pay you back."

"Ms. Jenkins, don't come to me without thinking it through. Now get out!" His tone was icy.

Natalia stood her ground. After a moment, she capitulated, speaking softly, "I'm not resigning."

Hamilton's features softened slightly, "I didn't catch that."

Meeting his gaze, Natalia reaffirmed, "I'm not resigning. I didn’t think it through before, Mr. Fowler. Please forgive me."

Hamilton's smile widened, the chill in his eyes melting away. "Come here."

Natalia knew what was coming next, but she had no choice. Hesitantly, she walked over to him. Hamilton yanked her towards him with force. The world spun, and suddenly Natalia was pinned beneath him.

"Are you sure?"

She averted her gaze and nodded.

"Look at me and answer," Hamilton ordered, turning her face towards him.

Swallowing her bitterness, Natalia forced a smile and said, "Yes, I'm staying."

"And what changed your mind?" He wouldn’t let her off easily.

Silence, then she spoke with forced ease, "I need money, and besides you, Mr. Fowler, no one else can satisfy me and pay me at the same time."

Hamilton's laugh was tinged with approval as his hand slipped under her blouse.

"You certainly are straightforward, Ms. Jenkins. So tell me, how much do you want?"

Natalia tried to sound calm, "One million for tonight."

Hamilton paused while unbuttoning her blouse, a cold smile on his lips. "You think you're worth that?"

Natalia stretched her smile wider, feigning nonchalance.

"Don't you think so, Mr. Fowler? If you don’t, then I might just have to find another benefactor."

"Natalia!"

He suddenly gripped her chin tightly.

Natalia fell silent.

Hamilton rarely lost his temper. He typically kept his emotions hidden, never letting anyone see them. But now, the anger in his eyes made Natalia afraid.

"It was a joke," she said quickly, meeting his gaze. "Do you think I'm worth it, Mr. Fowler?"

His gaze grew colder. "Since you've set the price, you better make sure you're worth it."

He stood up and said, "Get home early after work."

Natalia forced a smile. "Okay."

After work, she went straight home. The so-called home was an apartment Hamilton had given her when they first got together. Every corner was decorated with the happiness she felt back then.

This place, she had always called it home.

Their home.

Entering, Natalia found Hamilton already seated on the couch.

"Take a shower!" he commanded without looking up.

Natalia stiffened as she replied with a simple "Okay."

After her shower, she found Hamilton on the phone. When he saw her, he reached out a hand. Without a thought, Natalia took it, and Hamilton pulled her straight onto his lap.

"Ms. Jenkins, help me out of my shirt," he whispered, his breath warm against her earlobe.

Natalia froze; he was still on the phone.

"Hurry up."

His impatience was evident when she didn't immediately move. Swallowing hard, she began to fumble with the buttons on his shirt.

Hamilton was in excellent shape. As each button came undone, revealing his chiseled chest and abs, Natalia felt the same unnaturalness she had felt for the past three years of seeing him.

"Yeah, set it up," Hamilton said nonchalantly into the phone, responding to something the person on the other end had said.

After his response, he suddenly bent his head and bit gently into the tender flesh of her neck, grinding softly.

"Ah!"

A surprised moan escaped Natalia.

The person on the other end paused abruptly.

Natalia tensed up, and Hamilton bit down again.

"Mr. Fowler!" She exclaimed in shock, and finally, Hamilton seemed satisfied and hung up the phone.

Natalia caught a glimpse of the call screen.

Victor Henkel.

She thought to herself, Hamilton never let himself be slighted. Anyone who made him uncomfortable paid the price twofold.

With the call ended, Hamilton kissed her fiercely, as if trying to consume her whole.

"Natalia, be a good girl and continue," he murmured between breaths.

Her hands scrambled to his belt while she pleaded, "Hamilton, please, a little gentler."

Hamilton chuckled softly, "Do you think I can be gentle right now?"

His wildness was on full display as they moved from the couch to the bedroom and then from the bedroom to the bathroom.

Finally, resting in bed after it was all over, Natalia instinctively touched her belly. Thankfully, there was no discomfort.

Hamilton kissed her gently on the lips.

"What would you like for dinner?"

Natalia didn't answer; she had no appetite and just wanted to sleep. When she awoke later, she could faintly hear Hamilton's voice outside. It took her a moment to realize it was dark outside. Glancing at the clock, it was past ten in the evening.

She dressed and walked out to see Hamilton ending another phone call.

"Eat something," he said, nodding toward the table.

That's when Natalia noticed the food box on the table. Inside was a bowl of soup and a few side dishes, all still warm.

Starved after a day without food, she found her appetite inexplicably returning. She picked up the bowl and started to sip slowly.

Hamilton glanced at her and then retreated to his study.

Natalia ate distractedly, her mind a tangled mess. The child she was supposed to get rid of, the job she was supposed to quit—none of it had happened.

Now, it seemed, she had to take things one step at a time.

The bowl of soup was empty before she knew it. She didn't feel full until after she finished eating, but then a wave of nausea hit her. She put down the bowl and rushed to the bathroom, her hand covering her mouth.

Almost instantly, the soup she had just consumed came back up.

After she was done and her stomach felt a bit better, she rinsed her mouth and washed her face.

When she turned around, she found Hamilton standing behind her with an indecipherable expression.