Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart

Chapter 16

Chapter 16 Eveleen’s voice caught in her throat.

“| didn’t kick her out. | just asked her to move over a bit.” she said, her voice tinged with a hint of hurt as she looked towards Hamilton.

“Hamilton, you wouldn’t get mad at me over a silly little market manager, would you?” As she finished her plea, her eyes began to brim with tears.

Over the years abroad, she’d waited for a sign from Hamilton, a call, a message—anything. But to her dismay, four long years passed without a single word from him. Multiple times she’d considered flying back to confront him, but her pride held her back. After all, it was she who had initiated their breakup.

Hamilton had always treated her differently. He’d smile at her with such tenderness, call her by the nickname “Evi” and rush to her side whenever she needed him. He’d even fallen out with his brother for her sake. Yet, for all his special treatment, there were lines he wouldn't cross. He never touched her intimately, never talked about marriage, and he hadn't even met her parents. She had hoped, by leaving, to light a fire under him-to make him feel the urgency of committing to her. She knew all too well the lengths she'd gone to be by his side and she couldn't rest until their union was secured. But instead of fighting for her, he’d simply let her go.

She had left the country in a huff, swearing she wouldn't return unless Hamilton came begging. She thought it wouldn’t be long before he caved. Yet here she was, four years later, and it had taken rumors of Hamilton and Natalia to finally drive her back home.

Eveleen despised Natalia. Ever since she knew of her existence, she couldn’t stand her. Natalia was prettier, had a better aura, and was even more academically accomplished. It seemed she was superior in every way, except for her family background.

If there could only be one place beside Hamilton, it would have to be hers!

Tears welled up in Eveleen’s eyes as she beheld Hamilton, who leaned back in his chair, a lazy expression on his face. His gaze softened when he noticed the diamond bracelet on her wrist-a trinket he’d found on the beach when he was nineteen. That night, too distracted by his own thoughts and the dim light, he hadn't paid much attention to the girl who had clung to him in the sea. It wasn’t until the next day that he found the bracelet in the sand, engraved with

the name “Evi.” His eyes softened, and he playfully ruffled Eveleen’s hair.

“Even if it was just a regular employee sitting next to me today, you shouldn’t have made her move. She’s an employee at my company, not your maid or assistant. How could you be so unreasonable?” he chided gently.

Eveleen, her pride wounded, protested. “I just wanted to be with you! If she’s in your space, of

course I'd want her to leave!”

But Hamilton just smiled, a devastatingly handsome visage that betrayed little of his true feelings.

“Evi, you chose to leave that year. So now that you came back, don’t blame me for having someone else by my side.”

Regret was all Eveleen felt now, regret for leaving so abruptly. If she hadn’t left, how could Natalia have taken her place? But she couldn’t believe Hamilton truly had special feelings for Natalia. His heart was like a fortress; not just anyone could waltz in. If she couldn’t make it inside, Natalia stood even less of a chance.

“Can't you be a bit nicer to me, please?” Eveleen implored.

Hamilton's lips curled into a half-smile, though his eyes remained devoid of mirth. “I’ve given you all the kindness | can. What more do you want?”

Eveleen’s plea hung in the air, “Hamilton, let’s make up.”

Hamilton didn’t answer but chuckled as if he’d heard a particularly funny joke. Eveleen pouted, “I was just kidding.”

Hamilton hummed indifferently. “Don’t make jokes like that. They’re not funny.” Eveleen’s words were abruptly choked off.

The car sped towards the studio lot. Natalia glanced at Hamilton’s car as she got out. Eveleen, fully armed with her charm, got out of the car and latched onto Hamilton's arm.

Natalia shifted her gaze away, heading towards the studio but was stopped at the entrance.

“Ms. Jenkins.” Eveleen clung to Hamilton, her expression hidden behind her full armor of poise, but her delight was palpable. “Sorry about booting you from the car earlier,” she said, her apology laced with the intent to remind everyone of Natalia’s earlier dismissal.

The studio buzzed with whispers as everyone heard Eveleen’s words, their gazes locked on Natalia.

Natalia had been a cornerstone of the company, standing by Hamilton’s side since its inception. He had always favored her, and even after a public resignation stunt, she hadn’t left, had she?

Only Eveleen would dare to challenge Natalia so openly, asserting her position as the boss’s lady by making an example of her— especially since no boss’s lady would tolerate another woman outshining her so close to her man.

The crowd observed with mixed emotions as Natalia remained seemingly oblivious to their stares. Her eyes drifted to the intertwined arms of Hamilton and Eveleen, then settled on Hamilton’s face. He appeared unmoved by the rivalry brewing before him over his attention.

Chapter 16 Natalia couldn't help but let out a laugh. She couldn't quite pinpoint what she was even fretting

over. “No need to apologize. | got out of the car because | was following orders, not because of you,” Natalia retorted, her voice steady and clear.

Eveleen’s face turned a shade of stormy blue. Natalia was publicly undermining her, but Eveleen held her tongue, mindful of Hamilton's earlier warning.

Natalia offered a polite smile to the two of them and entered the studio, her smile fading the moment she was out of sight..Belongs to (N)ôvel/Drama.Org.

A female colleague approached, eager to engage. “Ms. Jenkins, are Mr. Fowler and Eveleen already talking about marriage? | heard Eveleen flew back stateside just for Mr. Fowler.”

Natalia flashed a weary smile as she brushed off the question. “I’m not too sure.”

The colleague seemed deflated. “You've been with Mr. Fowler the longest; haven’t you heard anything about him and Eveleen?” Natalia’s smile wavered as she tried to maintain her composure. “Haven't heard a thing.”

“But | heard that Mr. Fowler once fought tooth and nail for her,” the colleague pressed on.

Natalia halted in her tracks, mustering a polite smile. “Excuse me, | need to make a quick call.”

Once her colleague left, Natalia dialed Scarlett’s number. It wasn’t an important call, just a needed distraction.

Hamilton and Eveleen hadn’t shown up yet. They were probably together in the makeup room. The distant murmurs of laughter reached Natalia’s ears, laced with Hamilton and Eveleen’s names. It seemed that those two became the center of gossip just by standing together.

To divert her gaze, Natalia picked up a document and started reading. She only put it away. when it was time to start shooting and headed to the restroom.

Emerging from the restroom, she spotted Eveleen.

Eveleen was at the vanity, touching up her makeup.

Natalia watched her with a scoff. “Waiting for me?”

“Natalia, | didn’t realize you were so sharp. Then you should know why I’m here.”

Natalia washed her hands and tidied a few stray hairs in the mirror’s reflection. “To get me to leave Hamilton alone?”

Eveleen met her gaze in the mirror, bluntly stating, “You know it. Hamilton’s mine.”

Natalia let out a cold laugh, “Aren’t you the ex? If we’re speaking about the past, shouldn't you add ‘used to be‘ to that claim?”

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