Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart

Chapter 27

“I'm not.” Natalia said, her gaze unwavering, her eyes reddened from the strain. “I never thought: about sleeping with anyone else.”

“Then why the hell did you even show up?” Natalia took a deep breath, trying to compose herself and not look as disheveled as she felt.

“Mr. Fowler. Ms. Schafer has been uncooperative with my work, and her agent has been unreachable. | had no choice but to ask Gideon for help.”

Hamilton's grip was tight on her chin. “Really? Just for work? Or is he the next sugar daddy you've picked out?”NôvelD(ram)a.ôrg owns this content.

Despite the pain, Natalia didn’t let it show. She laughed mockingly at Hamilton. “I have a long list of potential sugar daddies, and trust me, | wouldn't pick someone like him unless | were blind.”

Fire blazed in Hamilton’s eyes. He grabbed her wrist with such force it seemed he might break it. Then, he dragged her out of the restaurant and shoved her into the car.

The car sped off like an arrow released from its bow.

Hamilton didn’t speak again, and neither did Natalia. She didn’t even ask if Hamilton had done anything to Gideon. What could he have done? Gideon was Eveleen’s boss. Hamilton wouldn't risk trouble with

Gideon for her.

The car screeched to a halt in front of the building.

Hamilton got out, pulling at his tie as he strode toward the entrance, leaving her with a curt, “Go home.”

With trembling fingers, Natalia buttoned up her blouse and stepped out of the car.

Once home, Hamilton went straight into the bathroom. Shortly after, he came out and advanced toward Natalia.

Instinctively, she stepped back. But Hamilton didn’t give her room to escape. He yanked at the collar of her blouse. The freshly buttoned blouse gave way once again, buttons scattering everywhere. There was no gentleness in his actions, almost a brutality as he stripped her of all her clothes.

Natalia realized then just how furious he was. Afraid for the child she carried, finally, she yielded. “I never intended to look for another benefactor. Our contract lasts for two years more.” | wouldn’t think of anything else until then,” she whispered.

But Hamilton’s touch remained uncompromising. After ripping off her clothes, he picked her up and threw her into the bathtub. “Wherever he touched you, scrub it clean! Come out only when

Chapter 27 you're done!”

Natalia nearly choked on the water, biting her lip as she glared at Hamilton. “Why can you flirt and cuddle with Eveleen, but! can’t even have dinner with someone else without it being an

issue!”

Hamilton, his shirt now dampened but not diminishing his imposing figure, methodically rolled up his sleeves, his gaze on Natalia icy cold.

“Why? Because | spend hundreds of thousands on you every month! Clean yourself, or shall | do it for you?” Defiantly, Natalia glared back at him. “I didn’t let him touch me.”

Hamilton sneered. “What's ‘didn’t touch‘? A mere touch doesn’t count? Does it have to go as far as a kiss or a night together? You sure have some liberal ideas!”

Tears betrayed her, falling despite her resolve.

Hamilton watched the tears fall, utterly unmoved. “Just cry it out,” he said coldly. “Don’t think tears will make me go easy on you.” “Yes, Mr. Fowler, when have you ever been soft on me?” Natalia turned her head away, refusing to look at him.

“Glad you know.” Hamilton left the bathroom, closing the door behind him.

The moment the door clicked shut, Natalia’s tears fell uncontrollably. Silent sobs racked her body. She didn’t want to cry. Tears were useless.

In front of a man who didn’t love you, they were superfluous. But she couldn't help it. Hamilton stepped out onto the balcony and lit a cigarette. After a deep drag, he made a call. “Bro, what's up?” Alden’s voice came through.

“Send those photos of Gideon with the starlets to his brother-in-law.”

Alden paused, understanding the implication.

Gideon had risen from the ashes, thanks largely to his wife’s family. His wife, a member of the Brown family, came from a family that had skirted the edges of the law to build their empire. Gideon's brother-in-law was the current head of the Brown family. Gideon's wife had been pampered from birth, a darling of her brothers. Though the Browns were initially reluctant about her marriage to Gideon, they supported him for her sake. Gideon had been well-behaved at first, but as his business grew, so did his true nature. He played the field, careful never to cause too much of a stir, usually with minor starlets who, after he slept with them, would keep silent for a payoff. But if those photos reached Gideon’s brother—in—law, it would spell trouble.

Alden hesitated. “Did he cross you? Or did he make a move on Eveleen?”

As Alden considered, it seemed more likely. Eveleen worked under Gideon, and aside from her, there was no one else who could provoke such a response from Hamilton.

2/4 Chapter 27 As for Natalia...

Even Alden was uncertain of Hamilton’s true feelings for her. To all appearances, Hamilton seemed to care, and yet he was so harsh with her. But to say he didn’t care? He was certainly invested.

Hamilton didn’t elaborate, simply stating. “Just a lesson.”

With that, he hung up. Taking a last drag, Hamilton glanced at the closed bathroom door before making another call. “Send up some food, something easy to digest.”

After giving his instructions, he put out his cigarette and headed back to the bathroom.

Opening the door, he eyed the woman inside. “Are you clean yet?”

Natalia didn’t answer.

Hamilton eyed her, a faint trace of impatience in his voice. “If you’re done, come back.”

Natalia swiped at her tears, her face a wet canvas of emotions. She had always known crying was pointless. Yet, now it seemed like shedding those tears had lifted a weight off her chest. At least, the tightness in her heart had eased.

The evening’s tumultuous turn of events was, in retrospect, somewhat predictable. Knowing Hamilton’s temper, it would’ve been more surprising if he hadn’t been angry. From the moment she had messaged Hamilton, Natalia had braced herself for his reaction.

Even though he was coming to her rescue, she knew it wouldn’t be without its rough edges. But she hadn't anticipated just how much fury that had ignited within him.

When he had yanked at her clothes, for a fleeting second, she thought he might tear her apart too.

Dressed now, Natalia emerged just as the food Hamilton ordered was delivered.

Hamilton glanced at her. “Eat.”

Natalia remained motionless.

“Natalia, don’t make me lose my temper again!” Hamilton’s face darkened with a warning. Still, Natalia didn’t budge.

He let out a scoff. “What? Afraid I’ve poisoned your meal?”

“Quite possibly.”

Hamilton chuckled, a sound that hovered ambiguously between mockery and something else. “I may be angry, but when it comes to dealing with you, | prefer other methods.”

With a wary look, Natalia sat down and began to eat. The fare Hamilton had chosen was surprisingly to her liking. Her stomach, raw and inflamed from the ordeal of induced vomiting. finally found a moment of solace after the meal.

Chapter 27 Hamilton watched her eat, his gaze never wavering until she was done. Then, he spoke up again.

“Feeling aggrieved?”