Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart

Chapter 39

Chapter 39 Natalia barely mustered a distracted acknowledgment. Thankfully, Hamilton didn’t read too much into it. Once she got herself together, Hamilton led her out the door without delay.

She had assumed the evening would be a regular social gathering. Little did she know, it turned out to be a grand charity gala. The entire street in front of the venue was cordoned off, with luxury cars lining up as far as the eye could see.

Walking beside Hamilton, Natalia couldn’t hide her surprise.

Hamilton, catching the astonishment in her eyes, couldn’t help but chuckle. “What’s the matter, Ms. Jenkins? Haven’t seen a shindig like this before?”

Natalia fell silent. She, indeed, hadn’t witnessed such a spectacle.

How could she, from her humble family background, have ever encountered such grandeur? Even though she had attended many high-society events with Hamilton, tonight’s gala was still something else. Without Hamilton, she probably would never have had the chance to step foot in such a setting.

Hamilton's status was aristocratic. Yet, after three years together, this was the first time she felt the stark difference between their worlds. It had never been more apparent that she and Hamilton might just not belong to the same universe. Her place in his world, by his side for three years, might have been nothing more than a fluke.

“Mr. Fowler, you must be amused, Natalia murmured, looking down.

Hamilton’s gaze settled on the delicate curve of her collarbone, and after a brief silence, he spoke. “I'll make sure to bring you to more events like this in the future.”

Natalia froze, not expecting such a statement.

Hamilton met her gaze. “Don’t be so surprised. Ms. Jenkins. Accompanying your boss to these functions is part of the job, and it's not like you're taking the paycheck for nothing.”

The light in Natalia’s eyes extinguished in an instant. She laughed at herself.

What had she been thinking? Could she have actually believed that Hamilton had brought her here for some special reason? “| understand.”

“Later, there’s a pair of earrings that will match your necklace perfectly. I’ll bid on them for you tonight.”

Natalia nodded, not daring to indulge in any further fantasies.

The gala was filled with the creme de la créme from all walks of life. Many were faces she had only seen on TV or in newspapers. But even so, Hamilton’s entrance caused quite the stir. The

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head of the Fowler family was a magnet for attention, no matter where he went. Natalia followed Hamilton’s lead, carefully navigating the small talk.

An hour of mingling later, she was tired, mainly because she couldn’t drink. Holding a glass of champagne, she only pretended to sip, but now she had actually consumed a fair amount.Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!

“Mr. Fowler, | need a moment to rest.” “Go ahead.”

Hamilton released Natalia, and she made her way to a quiet corner of the hall. She had barely sat down when she heard someone call out.

“Natalia, is it?”

She turned to see a woman looking at her with scorn.

Natalia bit her lip and responded, “Yes, and you are?”

The woman scoffed. “I’m Crystal, Eveleen’s dear friend. We were quite close when we lived abroad.” Natalia’s smile froze, and after a moment, she said, “Good day to you.”

“I'd like to say the same, but if my friend isn’t having a good day, neither am |,” Crystal retorted.

Natalia’s smile tightened, and after a brief pause, she said, “Your friendship with Ms. Schafer is admirable.” “Cut the act!” Crystal snapped, irritated by Natalia’s response.

“| don’t understand what you're implying.” Natalia responded calmly..

But Crystal leaned in close. “Listen, bitch, wise up and leave Mr. Fowler alone. You don’t think you can stick around him forever, do you? Mr. Fowler and Eveleen are a match made in heaven. You're nothing but a homewrecker, a tramp!”

Natalia felt each word like a stab to the heart. “I have never interfered in anyone’s relationship. Please, show some respect.” In such a setting, especially with someone who clearly came from a privileged background, Natalia had no desire to offend.

Crystal sneered, “To earn my respect, you first need to deserve it. You think you’re worthy? You're just a cheap bitch. See that? Eveleen belongs by Mr. Fowler’s side.”

Natalia followed Crystal’s gaze and saw Eveleen, who had arrived at some point, now standing beside Hamilton, her arm entwined with his. Their combined elegance and composure made them look like a couple destined by fate. Especially when Eveleen whispered something to Hamilton, the tenderness in his eyes was unmistakable.

Their public debut as childhood sweethearts instantly became the center of attention.

“| never thought Mr. Fowler and Eveleen were for real.”

“Look at how Mr. Fowler gazes at Eveleen. He’s totally smitten.”

“They're such a perfect match. | wonder when they'll tie the knot?”

“It must be soon. They’ve gone public with their relationship; how far off can marriage be?”

Natalia, overhearing the whispers, felt a heavy weight in her chest. Even the spacious hall seemed to suffocate her. “See? Don’t you feel like a mistress?”

Natalia’s expression darkened. “I’m not sure what you're talking about, but | must excuse myself.”

With that, she stood to leave, only to be yanked back once more by Crystal.

“Ms. Jenkins, be smart about this.” the voice warned with a casual threat. “It won’t do you any harm to listen. Otherwise, don’t say | didn’t warn you

Natalia wrestled free from Crystal's grip and stood up, making her way outside to the garden.

It wasn’t until she felt the cool evening air that she allowed herself to breathe a sigh of relief. But the ache in her heart didn’t subside, not even a little bit.

The woman who could stand proudly by Hamilton’s side was always Eveleen. And her? She seemed destined to be the one who lingered in the shadows.

“Why are you out here, Ms. Jenkins?”

Natalia turned to see Alden approaching, a glass of wine in hand.

“Hello, Alden,” she greeted.

Alden nodded, a hint of concern in his eyes. “Are you feeling alright? You look a bit off.”

Natalia managed a faint smile. “No, it’s just a bit stuffy inside.”

He caught the flicker of sadness in her eyes, understanding without words why she had stepped out. “Don’t take it to heart, Ms. Jenkins. My brother is just playing his part for the crowd.”

Her smile waned into a bitter one, touched by the irony. It was her, after all, who was often the subject of Hamilton's performances.

“I'm fine.”

Alden didn’t seem convinced. “How about | keep you company with a drink or two?”

“No, thanks, though.”

Her smile returned, slightly warmer this time. At least someone was here to offer comfort. Curiosity got the better of her, and she found herself asking. “Alden, how did your brother meet 3/4

Eveleen anyway?”

It was a question that had always intrigued Natalia, yet Hamilton had forbidden her from asking.

The Schafer family had been clawing their way up the social ladder for years, but in Silkwood City, they were still nobodies. For a family like that to get involved with the Fowlers was like reaching for the stars. And yet, not only had they done it, but Eveleen had even dated Hamilton, a puzzle Natalia couldn't solve.

Alden raised an eyebrow slightly. “You might not believe it, because | hardly do myself-I don’t know.”

Natalia blinked in surprise, then listened as Alden continued. “My brother had a severe psychological condition as a kid. He didn’t speak to anyone until he was nine.”

“And then?” she asked, unable to hide her curiosity.

“Then he was sent away for a while. When he came back, he was like a different person. Can you imagine? A teenager, suddenly involved in the power struggles of a family like the Fowlers. Saying he was ruthless is an understatement. By the time he was nineteen, he had taken over the reins of the family business. After that, Eveleen showed up by his side. As to how she appeared, no one knows. All | know is my brother once said that Eveleen was the only light in his dark life.”