Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart

Natalia stepped out of her apartment, snowflakes gently tumbling from the sky like delicate white feathers. But her mind was clouded with the memory of Hamilton’s darkening expression when she had let those words slip from her lips. Property belongs to Nôvel(D)r/ama.Org.

She knew they would upset him. Yet, she had spoken them all the same.

If their relationship was destined to fizzle out, she didn’t want to cling to a shred of false hope.

Taking a deep breath to fight back the bitterness rising in her throat, Natalia cast a final glance at the glowing windows of the apartment, mustered a wry smile, and walked away.

Inside the apartment, Hamilton remained perched on the sofa, his face as cold as if frosted

over.

Time dragged on before he let out a scornful laugh.

Being with him was just a matter of convenience for her, wasn’t it? She must’ve been counting down the days until their agreement ended.

Normally, he might have admired Natalia’s pragmatism and clarity. But now, her sensibility irked him to no end.

Was being with him such a miserable ordeal?

Yet, he didn’t hold her back.

Just as Natalia had said, he wasn’t exactly pining for her. Women were hardly scarce in his life. The concessions he had made for Natalia had already pushed his boundaries too far.

He admitted his possessiveness might be a tad excessive, but he had remained indifferent when Eveleen had stirred up a breakup, so why cling to Natalia?

Hamilton chuckled dryly, carelessly lighting up a cigarette. He truly disliked this feeling of losing control.

After all, she was just a lover–no need to get worked up. She could do as she pleased.

As long as she stayed clean, body and soul, and didn’t mess around with other men, he couldn’t care less.

Once the cigarette was finished, he changed clothes and left the apartment.

The place felt empty without her, and the desire to linger vanished.

The next day at the office, Natalia ran into Alden Fowler, who seemed to have been waiting for her.

“Ms. Jenkins, did you hear my brother nearly killed Gideon last night?” Alden approached her urgently.

Natalia’s brow furrowed in confusion. “What are you talking about?”

Alden’s face was grim. “Last night, my brother almost took Gideon’s life. He went straight for Gideon’s crotch. You didn’t know?”

Natalia’s mouth opened slightly, speechless.

Had Hamilton come back bloodied last night because of Gideon?

Her heart, which had been calm, suddenly churned with turmoil.

Alden frowned at her. “Ms. Jenkins, did my brother go after Gideon because of you?”

Natalia lowered her gaze, and after a moment, she murmured, “Perhaps.”

Alden sighed softly. “Was it also because of you last time?”

He paused, then added, “My brother confronted Gideon once before. You didn’t know?”

Natalia’s lips pressed tightly together. She, indeed, didn’t know.

Hamilton had come back furious last time, but she had no idea that he had already laid hands on Gideon.

After a brief silence, Natalia managed to ask, “Will there be trouble over this?”

Gideon might not be the most reputable guy, but the Browns wielded considerable clout in Silkwood City.

Alden glanced at her. “Ms. Jenkins, are you worried about my brother?”

Her response was tinged with bitterness. “I just don’t want to cause any trouble.”

Alden was silent for a moment before asking, “Ms. Jenkins, what’s going on between you and my brother lately? I heard you moved out? Is it because of that kid? Or Eveleen?”

Natalia didn’t answer. “Things between us have nothing to do with this.”

Alden frowned, then reassured her, “Don’t worry. The Browns aren’t going to wage war over a guy like Gideon.”

Natalia nodded in gratitude. “Thank you.”

Alden seemed to want to press her about her relationship with his brother, but Natalia had already turned and left.

Back in her office, Natalia thought for a moment before sending Hamilton a message that read, [Thank you, Mr. Fowler, for handling the Gideon situation.]

After sending it, she kept an eye on her phone, but Hamilton never replied. They had parted on bad terms the night before, and Natalia knew he was likely still angry. Yet, aside from expressing her gratitude, anything else felt inappropriate.

The calendar had turned to its final page, and the end–of–year summary meeting was that afternoon.

12:06

Natalia saw Hamilton there, but they didn’t exchange a single glance.

After the meeting, she went to the top floor, where Linda handed over the last two contracts needing Hamilton’s signature. “Ms. Jenkins, Mr. Fowler has signed these. I’ll forward them to you.”

Natalia paused for a moment before responding, “Okay.”

She took a deep breath and left the top floor.

Before heading home, Scarlett called to meet her at the airport. Natalia hesitated but decided to inform Hamilton, [Going on a trip with Scarlett, back in three days.]

Scarlett had booked a late–night flight. When Natalia arrived at the airport, there were still two hours until departure. She had planned to wait for Scarlett and grab a bite together, but then Scarlett called.

“Natalia, I can’t make it. I was almost at the airport when my supervisor called. I have to cover a shift during my vacation. I’m sorry, Natalia. When you get back, I’ll make it up to you for your birthday,”

Scarlett said apologetically.

Natalia blinked, then remembered her birthday was approaching. But her birthdays were never much of a celebration. Typically, Scarlett would send a message or, if not too busy, they’d share a meal.

Other than that, there were no festivities.

“Alright, then I’ll go on my own,” Natalia resolved with a note of independence in her voice.

River State held a unique place in Natalia’s heart, a place she yearned to revisit. She wanted to

see it once more.

By the time her plane touched down, it was past eleven at night.

Natalia wheeled her suitcase through the airport’s sliding doors.

The chill in River State was sharper than she remembered. The damp, icy air caught her off guard, making her feel unexpectedly out of place.

No matter how warmly she thought she was dressed, the cold seemed to pierce through her layers.

Shivering slightly, Natalia wrapped her scarf tighter and hailed a cab.

The driver was a cheerful fellow.

“Are you here to enjoy the sights of River State, miss?”

Natalia paused before answering, “I lived here for a while when I was a kid.”

The driver looked at her with surprise, “So, you’re back for the holidays?”

Natalia’s gaze drifted to the passing scenery, and she remained silent.

12:06

The festive atmosphere of New Year’s in River State was palpable, but she never cared much for the holidays, be it New Year’s or Christmas, It seemed like every cheerful, lit–up house had nothing to do with her.

Ever since the car accident that took Tatiana, she had stopped celebrating,

Graham Jenkins likely never cared much for the holidays, and Harmitton would always return to the Fowler family for festive gatherings,

As for the Schater family, there was no place for her there.

Natalia watched the world blur past the car window, a hint of bitterness on her lips, but she believed things would eventually get better,

By the time she reached her hotel, the midnight chimes were echoing through the streets. Her phone was flooded with festive messages, but she didn’t reply to each one, Instead, she simply tweeted, Happy New Year

Hamilton had barely stepped through the door after having dinner with his familly when his friends called him out again,

Eveleen intercepted him immediately, “Hamilton, where’s my New Year’s present?”

Distracted, Hamilton replied absentmindedly, “The jewelry set you mentioned last time–u have it delivered to your place tomorrow.”

Satisfied, Eveleen smiled. “You’re so good to me.*

Hamilton softened a bit as he looked at her. “You’re such an adult, still fussing over presents.”

Eveleen huffed, “1 got you something, too, you know.”

She handed him a small box, not something expensive, but the thought was what counted.

He couldn’t help but smile as he ruffled her hair, but for some reason, Natalia popped into his

mind.

She said she was going on a trip but didn’t specify where.

That woman was getting bolder by the day.

Victor called everyone over for a card game.

Hamilton joined reluctantly as if trying to distract himself, but it only added to his restlessness. Eventually, he tossed his cards on the table in frustration.

Victor looked on, half–amused. “What’s got into you lately, Hamilton?”

Hamilton lit a cigarette and ignored him.

Victor chuckled, then turned to Eveleen. “What’s up with Hamilton?”

Eveleen glanced at Hamilton, feigning ignorance. “How should I know?”

Of course, she knew. Hamilton was having a spat with Natalia, a rift she had intentionally

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widened. She reveled in the thought of them fighting; the more severe, the better. Initially, she was pleased when Natalia moved out, but hearing about Hamilton’s reaction concerning Natalia’s boss reignited her fury.

That wretched woman just wouldn’t vanish!

The mood in the room grew heavy when Alden suddenly spoke up. “Hey, isn’t that Ms. Jenkins in River State?”

Hamilton’s brows furrowed slightly, and he grabbed his phone. The last message from Natalia was about her trip. He opened Twitter and immediately saw Natalia’s post tagged in River State.

After a moment of silence, he stood up.

“I need to make a call.”