Hamilton''s gaze was unyielding as he stared at Natalia, searching her face for any hint of deceit. But unfortunately, all he could see in her eyes was disappointment and a resolute finality. Exhausted from the emotional exchange, Natalia slumped back into her seat. "Can you unlock the car door now?"


    Hamilton''s lips formed a tight line. He was unwilling to let her walk away-not just yet. Even a few more moments with her seemed preferable.


    His long fingers reached out, lightly tracing her lips, now reddened from their recent kiss. Natalia frowned and turned her head away.


    His touch lingered in the air, and then fell away. After a pause, Hamilton chuckled to himself,


    "These past three years must have been quite the sacrifice for you, Ms. Jenkins," he mused sarcastically. "No attachment whatsoever, and yet you shared my bed for three whole years." Natalia didn''t look up. Her voice was indifferent, but her heart ached. "All thanks to your excellent teaching, Mr. Fowler."


    Hamilton had made it clear, more than once, that their rtionship was strictly transactional-no emotions involved. He hadmunicated this with his words, his actions, with unwavering rity.


    Truth be told, Natalia had always harbored feelings for him-who could control such things? But now, she felt nothing but emptiness. Any affection she had held was ground away by his repeated indifference and abandonment.


    She no longer cherished any love for Hamilton. The cost was simply too great, and she could no longer bear it.


    Her words stung Hamilton. Natalia had always been sopliant, especially in his presence-forever obedient. But now she seemed like a hedgehog bristling with spines, ready to pierce him if he dared to get close. It was as if every nerve in her was rejecting him. Hamilton hated this feeling-in fact, he loathed it.


    "Do you have to speak like that?" he asked, his tone edged with frustration.


    Nataliaughed bitterly. "If I could, Hamilton, I wouldn''t speak a word to you right now. We''re finished. Do you understand what that means? It''s over."


    Hamilton red at her, then a cynical smile spread across his face. "So what if it''s over? Natalia, if I want you back, I will find a way to make it happen."This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org.


    A lump formed in Natalia''s throat, and she chuckled sadly, acknowledging the truth in his words. In the face of his absolute power and control, she was as insignificant as an ant. His will dictated her existence; without his favor, her life would be devoid of any joy. Her lips quivered as she fought back tears. "If you insist on pushing me, then all I have left to offer is my wretched life!"


    Hamilton''s expression froze. The memory of her resolute fasting came to mind, and a wave of helplessness washed over him. He released her and leaned against the car door, lighting a cigarette. Smoke curled inside the car, marking the prolonged silence before he finally spoke.


    "Move back in. The apartment is yours. I won''te here anymore."


    The truth was, the house was meant for her from the beginning. Her name was on the deed from the day he bought it.


    But Natalia had no desire to return. The ce was filled with too many memories. Even if one could pick up and let go of such things, sentimentality was a hard thing to shake off.


    "I don''t want it. I don''t like it here anymore."


    Hamilton looked at her, his face twisted into a sneer. "How interesting to see you shove money away, Ms. Jenkins?"


    Natalia ignored him, tired of arguing.


    After a moment of silence, Hamilton spoke again. "You''ve torn your clothes. Do you want to go up and change?" During their struggle, Natalia''s blouse had ripped, and the buttons hade undone, leaving her modesty barely intact.


    She gathered her blouse together. "No need. Just let me leave, Mr. Fowler."


    "What about all your things upstairs?"


    Hamilton''s brow furrowed. "You chose everything yourself. I remember how much you used to love them."


    Indeed, Natalia had poured her heart into furnishing that house. From the smallest vase to thergest pieces of furniture, she had picked them out one by one, hoping to make it a home for both of them. But now, it all seemed like a cruel joke. She responded with calm finality, "I don''t need them anymore. Love can fade, and so can likes. What I once cherished is now no different from trash."


    Hamilton felt a tightness in his chest he couldn''t understand. Natalia was proving to be a tough nut to crack.


    His lips were a straight line as he watched her. Natalia knew he was getting angry and didn''t want to endure hispany any longer. Who knows? He might lose his temper again.


    "Can you unlock the door now?"


    Caught in his pride, Hamilton refused. "If you''re so eager, smash the window."


    Natalia red at the man before her. She had never realized how childish he could be, but she didn''t hesitate. He invited her to smash, so she took off her high heel and used the sharp heel to hammer at the car window. Hamilton''s eyebrows jumped at the action. He didn''t care about the car, but her determination to leave was crystal clear.


    Hamilton was fuming, but Natalia kept hammering at the ss. However,cking the strength, the ss remained unscathed after several attempts.


    Eventually, he relented. "I''ll drive you back."


    "No. Just open the door."


    Instead, Hamilton moved to the driver''s seat and drove off.


    When they arrived back at Lotus Estates, Natalia bolted from the car as soon as it came to a stop.


    Hamilton watched her hastening away, his face growing darker by the second. He rubbed his temple and pulled out his phone, which had been on silent mode since getting into the car. A slew of missed calls lit up the screen. As he browsed through them, another call came through-Eveleen.


    With a sigh, he answered, "What''s up?"


    Eveleen''s voice came through, a stark contrast to the tension he''d just experienced.


    "Hamilton, would you pleasee over? I''m so scared I''ll end up with a scar on my forehead. Hamilton, it terrifies me," Eveleen sobbed into the phone, her voice quivering with vulnerability.


    Hamilton listened to her tears, his resolve softening.


    "Eveleen, the doctor''s one of the best in town, and the medicine is top-notch. Trust me, there won''t be any scars on your forehead."


    But Eveleen wasn''t satisfied with that assurance. She clenched her fists, needing more than words. She needed Hamilton there by her side.


    "Hamilton, do you remember when we were kids? You promised you''d always protect me!"


    Hamilton chuckled, a hint of affection in his voice. "Haven''t I always?"


    Eveleen choked up. "I want you here with me."


    "My being there won''t make a difference, do you understand that, Eveleen?"


    With those final words, Hamilton ended the call.


    Staring at the disconnected screen, Eveleen''s frustration boiled over, and she hurled her phone across the room.


    Lucinda, witnessing the scene with furrowed brows,mented, "Hamilton still won''te to see you?"


    Fuming, Eveleen spat out, "It''s all because of that hussy Natalia! Without her, Hamilton would never treat me like this!" Victor, who had been silently observing, let out a chuckle,


    "Eveleen, you should focus on how to make Hamilton fall for you. That''s the real task at hand!"


    Eveleen clenched her teeth so tight it hurt. Making Hamilton fall for her seemed an insurmountable task.


    If she''d ever had confidence before, it had evaporated now. Hamilton''s aloofness had grown too stark to ignore.


    Eveleen had seen the truth of it. That man had truly fallen for Natalia.


    His attentiveness now was nothing more than him seeing Eveleen as a stand-in for the childhood Natalia.


    Her fists balled up with a fury that burned to tear Natalia apart.