Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart

Chapter 45 Hamilton's hand rested on Natalia’s belly, motionless.

It wasn’t the first tshe'd broached the subject. At spoint, it seemed as though Natalia had set her mind on leaving him.

His voice was calm as he spoke, devoid of any emotional fluctuations. “What's your reason, Natalia? Why do you want to end this? Have | wronged you? Or broken any promises?” Natalia couldn't answer him. All through this relationship, Hamilton had always kept his word. He never broke any of the clauses. The money was delivered on tevery month. Nor had he ever wronged her, because their relationship had never been about love.

What did it matter if he was close with his first love? Or that he didn’t want her child? She had no right to blhim, let alone to reproach.

In his eyes, their relationship had always been nothing more than the simplest of transactions between a benefactor and a companion. He had never breached that contract by a hair's breadth, but it was she who had.

From the very start, she had committed the taboo. She had let emotions creep into a transaction of money and flesh. The pain seemed inevitable. It was the punishment for not keeping to the agreement.

But how much punishment was enough? She couldn’t bear it any longer.

“No.” Tseemed to stand still before Natalia finally replied, “You haven't broken your promise, nor have you wronged me.” Hamilton's warm lips touched the nape of her neck. “If that’s the case, | don’t want to hear such talk again. I'll take care of the child situation, and I'll make sure that fan’s family pays for what they've done.” Natalia took a deep breath. “It has nothing to do with that person.” Hamilton didn’t care. “Natalia, I'm a businessman. | abide by contracts or, if you prefer, you can discuss this with my lawyer tomorrow.” With that, Hamilton pulled her close. “Sleep. You've just had a miscarriage. Don’t you care about your health?” Natalia, frustrated and pale, felt a flush of anger color her cheeks. “Hamilton, why on earth?” noma Hamilton's gaze was dark and intense. “Natalia, when you signed that contract, you should have known there would ca day when you'd want to leave. Yet you signed it, didn’t you? Since you did, don’t act as though you were coerced.” Natalia knew she was at fault. When she signed that contract, all she wanted was to be with Hamilton, and any terms seemed acceptable.

1/4 122 Chapter 45 Back then, she fantasized that he might fall in love with her. So, despite knowing how unfavorable the contract was for her, she signed it.

Now, with two years left of a five-year term, she didn’t know how she could endure.

Taking a deep breath, she tried to calm her emotions. “Hamilton, | just feel that there's no need to continue this relationship.” Hamilton's expression darkened slowly. “And why is there no need to continue? Aren't you short on cash anymore? Or have you found a better offer?” “I need money.” Natalia didn’t shy away. “I admit, | am in need of money. But rest assured, Mr. Fowler, | haven't sought any so-called better offer.” “Then what do you propose? Not afraid of starving?” Hamilton's voice was tinged with irony.

Natalia let out a bitter laugh. “No man can provide forfor a lifetime, not even you, Mr. Fowler. In the end, | must rely on myself, mustn't I? And besides, don’t you intend to reconcile with Eveleen? If you and Eveleen get back together, there's even less reason forto stay by your side.” Hamilton's face was stoic. “Did | not say | have no immediate plans to change companions?” “Isn't it just a matter of time?” “I will not during the term of our contract, Ms. Jenkins, you can be assured.” Natalia frowned deeply. “Are you usingto spite her? There's really no need. She seems to care a lot about you.” “Natalia, my business with Eveleen is none of your concern. And it has nothing to do with you.” His gaze was deep and dark.

Natalia suddenly choked up.

Hamilton drew her into his arms. “Sleep, or I'll call my lawyer right now to discuss the contract with you.” Natalia closed her mouth. No one could change Hamilton's mind once it was made up. She was angry at her lack of power to resist, and she wondered what Hamilton really wanted by keeping her so close.

Was it just to spite Eveleen? “I want to go stay with Scarlett after | get discharged,” Natalia said after a while.

“Isn't the house big enough for you?” Hamilton's tone was still less than pleasant.

“Scarlett is a gynecologist; she can take better care of me.” “She has a job. Does she have the tto look after you? Or is she willing to give up her job for you?” Chapter 45 Natalia’s forehead creased, catching the threat in Hamilton's words. She managed a weak smile. “Are you planning to take care ofpersonally, Mr. Fowler?” “I'll make sure you're taken care of, that’s all.” Natalia had no more energy to argue or to drag Scarlett into her problems. “Fine. I'll go home.” “Hmm,” Hamilton acknowledged.

The hospital room finally fell silent, but neither of them felt like sleeping.

Natalia could hear Hamilton's heartbeat. Strong and steady. In the quiet room, it seemed overly loud.

“How do you plan to deal with that fan's family?” she asked after a long time.

“I'll deal with it as necessary. Ms. Jenkins, just sleep.” In the end, Natalia said nothing more. She couldn’t bring herself to forgive, nor could she watch a father suffer unbearable consequences for his child.

So, she left it to Hamilton.

Natalia closed her eyes and fell asleep. Hamilton, however, couldn't sleep, just watching her overly pale face with a complex gaze. After what felt like an eternity, he too closed his eyes.

Early the next morning, Scarlett cby to give Natalia a check-up. Once she confirmed everything was in order, she began the discharge process.

Casting a glance at Hamilton, she offered, “Mr. Fowler, if it’s inconvenient for you, | can help Natalia through her recovery.” Hamilton's eyes lifted slightly. “I think we can manage without troubling anyone else.” Scarlett furrowed her brow and asked, “Are you sure you can take proper care of her?” His gaze fell on Scarlett’s nbadge. “Dr. Scarlett, prescribing medication without proper authorization, failing to record examination results in the system... do you think you can keep your job after such breaches?” Scarlett’s face turned pale. “Hamilton, you-" Natalia quickly took hold of Scarlett’s arm.

Hamilton was known for his follow-through. A confrontation with him would only end badly for Scarlett.

Hamilton glanced at Natalia. “Get changed. I'll go sort out the paperwork.” After Hamilton left, Scarlett was still seething with anger. “What were you thinking, tying yourself to that... man!” Natalia was silent for a moment before admitting, “Scarlett, what | have with him is just a 3/4 12-21 Chapter 45 business deal.” She paused, then added, “Keeping the child was a breach of our agreement. The miscarriage...

it’s not something’l can blhim for.” “How can you not blhim? If he’s man enough to make a baby, he should be man enough to take responsibility. You wouldn't have had to hide your pregnancy, and maybe then, you wouldn't have lost the baby!” The bitterness in Natalia’s heart was overwhelming.

“Between us, there's nothing but a contract. There's no use talking about responsibility.” “So you're just going to accept what happened? Why should he have all the pleasure and leave you to suffer?” Natalia looked up, forcing a smile. “He said he would compensate me.” Scarlett’s brows knitted together.

What kind of compensation could ever make up for a woman losing her only child? But she wasn’t Natalia. She couldn't solve Natalia’s problems for her, nor could she tell her to leave Hamilton. In the end, all Scarlett could do was curse Hamilton silently in her mind.

When Hamilton returned after completing the paperwork, Natalia was ready to go. She tried to get out of bed, but as soon as she stood up, her legs gave way.

Hamilton caught her in an instant. “If you can’t walk. Don’t push yourself.” Without another word, he scooped her into his arms.