Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart

Chapter 94

Chapter 94 Natalia’s lips were taut as she tried to maintain her composure, “Mr. Fowler, | think you’re reading too much into this.” Hamilton didn’t reply.

His face betrayed no emotion. But after three years at his side, Natalia could tell with just a glance that his mood was anything but good.

Throughout the latter half of the evening. Hamilton kept Natalia close, his arm never leaving her waist. His noble status meant that they couldn’t escape the socialites and businessmen who came to fawn over and toast to him. Yet, Hamilton seemed disinterested. He chuckled lightly at the sight of yet another glass of champagne offered to him.

“Ms. Jenkins, take this one for me,” he said.

Natalia’s brows furrowed sharply. She didn’t want to drink, especially since she was on her period. “Mr. Fowler, I'd rather not,” she said.Còntens bel0ngs to Nô(v)elDr/a/ma.Org

Hamilton just looked at her, silent.

With a resigned smile, Natalia gave in. She braced herself and took the glass. One glass turned into two, and two turned into three.

Just as Natalia was about to accept what felt like the umpteenth refill, Hamilton suddenly took the glass from her. He downed the drink in one gulp and, with Natalia in tow, made his way to say goodbye to Caspian.

“We have to take off,” he declared. He led Natalia out of the banquet hall.

She didn’t understand what was going on with him, but she obediently followed without a word. Hamilton was silent the whole way to the car, his arm tightly wrapped around her waist.

Once the car stopped in the hotel’s parking garage and the driver stepped out, Hamilton suddenly pinned Natalia beneath him.

His kiss was rapacious, devoid of any tenderness, as it fiercely descended upon her. Natalia felt like prey in his clutches, being ruthlessly bitten and tugged at. The sound of her dress tearing was stark in the confines of the car.

Natalia’s head spun, but she managed to hold onto a sliver of sanity. “Hamilton, this isn’t a good time for me.”

But Hamilton showed no sign of stopping. His fervent kisses spread from her lips down to her ankles. It was as if the man was determined to brand every inch of her.

After what seemed like an eternity, he finally released Natalia. Then, he leaned against the car 4/4

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window and lit a cigarette.

Deep down, he knew it wasn’t Natalia’s fault what had happened tonight. But the mere thought of Ronin chasing after her filled him with an inexplicable irritation.

“| won't force you to drink again,” he said eventually.

Natalia rested her hand on her forehead, trying to steady her emotions. “Okay.”

Hamilton finished his cigarette and stepped out of the car. Before long, he returned with a tube of ointment in his hand. “Come here, let me apply some ointment. | bit you a bit too hard earlier.”

“Give it to me,” she said, reaching out, but Hamilton didn’t let go. Eventually, Natalia gave up.

He sat in the back seat, carefully applying the ointment to her. He had really only bitten her on the collarbone; the rest were just kiss marks. But Natalia’s skin was delicate, and even the faintest marks looked severe.

Hamilton applied the ointment to every spot that showed signs of his passion. Once he was done, his phone rang. The ringtone alone told her who it was. Natalia’s eyelids fluttered.

Hamilton glanced at her before stepping out of the car, not forgetting to remind her, “Stay a bit longer. Your clothes will be delivered shortly.”

“Okay,” Natalia responded without looking at him.

It wasn’t long before a bodyguard arrived with a change of clothes. Hamilton hung up the phone, took the clothes, and handed them to Natalia.

She dressed expressionlessly. “Are you leaving?” she asked.

Hamilton gave her a look. “Leaving for where?”

The corner of Natalia’s lips twitched slightly. “I thought you were going to see Ms. Schafer.” Hamilton scoffed. “Looks like I’ve disappointed you.”

Natalia stood up in silence.

Without a word, Hamilton scooped her up in his arms.

“| can walk!” Natalia protested.

He remained silent, carrying her back to their room.

When they returned, Natalia immediately retreated to the bathroom. After emerging, the room service Hamilton ordered had arrived.

Natalia had no appetite as she eyed the food that was brought in.

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Hamilton arched an eyebrow. “Not hungry?”

She shook her head. “No appetite.”

He nodded and made another call.

Soon, the hotel delivered a bowl of chicken soup and a couple of apple turnovers.

“Don't eat too much sugar at night,” he cautioned.

Natalia paused before murmuring. “Thank you.”

After the meal, Natalia laid down and quickly fell asleep, her slumber deepened by the alcohol. The next morning, she felt Hamilton’s lips press gently against hers.

“Stay at the hotel and wait for me to come back,” he murmured.

Natalia knew Hamilton didn’t plan on letting her attend the signing ceremony.

She opened her eyes to meet his gaze. “I'd like to go out for a bit.”

Hamilton's brow furrowed. “Where to?”

Natalia actually wanted to check out the sanatorium Scarlett had mentioned, which was conveniently located in Boria City. “Just for a walk.”

Hamilton’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Ms. Jenkins, it’s better if you don’t wander off. I’ll take you horseback riding when | return this afternoon.”

After he left, Natalia let out a breath and went out anyway, heading straight for the sanatorium. The sanatorium was top-notch in both environment and medical facilities. After gathering the information she needed, Natalia hurried back but ran into Caspian at the entrance of the sanatorium.

Caspian looked mildly surprised to see her. “Ms. Jenkins, what brings you here?”

Natalia paused before answering, “I’m checking out the facilities for a friend.”

Caspian nodded. “Have you checked out everything, then? | can show you around if you'd like.” Natalia didn’t quite catch his implication.

Caspian smiled, “Our Spiegel family owns this sanatorium.”

Natalia had an epiphany. “I see. But no, thank you. I’ve got all the information | need.”

Caspian nodded. “Shall | drive you back to the hotel?”

Natalia quickly shook her head in refusal. “No need, Mr. Spiegel. Goodbye, I'll be heading back.” 3/4

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With that, she walked away without looking back.

Caspian watched her retreating figure, a smile tugging at his lips. He couldn’t resist pulling out his phone to send a text to Hamilton.

Hamilton was in the middle of a meeting with the folks from Ron Group. He noticed his phone light up but did not pay it much heed.

After a moment, however, something seemed to cross his mind, and he checked his phone.

He had thought it might be a message from Natalla. But to his surprise, it was a message from Caspian popping up on the screen.

[Your colleague is quite the cutie.]

Hamilton stared at those words for a long time, a complex emotion flickering in his eyes. After a while, he texted Caspian back.

[Where did you see her?]

[At the sanatorium entrance.]

Hamilton glanced at the message, his expression slowly turning grim.

Natalia had returned to the hotel, and it wasn’t long before Hamilton came back as well. He glanced at Natalia’s clothes. “You've been out?”

Natalia nodded. “Yeah, just took a little stroll.”

Hamilton pinched her cheek gently. “Ran into Caspian?”

Natalia didn’t deny it. “Yes, | happened to meet him.”

Hamilton nodded. “What were you doing at the sanatorium?”