Echoes of a Forsaken Heart (Natalia and Hamilton)

"Who's there?" Natalia shot to her feet.

Alden frowned at Natalia. "It's probably Lucinda. The mastermind behind Tatiana's abduction is a high school buddy of Lucinda's. They even caught up recently."

Hamilton's gaze was icy.

"Where are Lucinda and Patrick?"

"Patrick's been relatively straight-laced lately, swamped with company troubles, running around trying to drum up funds."

"Lucinda's back with us, but she's been in tears, claiming she never bribed the guy. Said she only contacted him because they were classmates. Plus, she's been adamant that Eveleen's already been sent away; messing with your mother doesn't benefit her now." Hamilton's eyes darkened as he turned to Natalia.

"I'm going to see Lucinda."

Natalia frowned at him.

"Are you feeling okay?"

Hamilton chuckled, "You care about me now?"

Natalia awkwardly averted her gaze.

With a soft laugh, Hamilton reassured, "Don't worry, I'll get the doc to wrap me up with a brace. It won't split open again."

Alden coughed lightly from the side.

He couldn't believe how different his brother acted around Natalia.

After getting his brace, Natalia followed Hamilton.

"I'm coming with you."

Hamilton paused before laughing, "I'm afraid you might think less of me after."

Natalia was startled but quickly caught his drift.

"Hamilton, what haven't I seen yet?"

Hamilton's Adam's apple bobbed, then he whispered in her ear, "I'm much fiercer when I'm interrogating than when I'm in bed." Natalia was at her wit's end with this man's shamelessness.

"Can't you be serious for once?"

Hamilton laughed, finally turning serious, "Natalia, please don't go. Okay?"

He truly didn't want Natalia there.

He didn't want her to see that dark side.

Natalia seemed to understand his point and didn't insist.

Still, she felt a bit regretful about not witnessing Lucinda's fate.

"Don't worry, if it's really her, I won't let her off easily."

Natalia nodded, wanting to thank him, but the words got stuck. She just said, "Just be careful not to reopen your wound."

Hamilton smiled, kissed her lightly on the lips, and then turned to leave.

Westley and Delilah had witnessed the entire scene.

Westley's face was grim.

Delilah just laughed, "Grandpa, don't be mad. For someone like Hamilton, having a fling is normal. As long as he settles down after we're married, I won't mind." Westley looked relieved, "You're so understanding. Don't worry, I won't let him treat you unfairly."

Delilah's eyes twinkled, then glanced at Natalia.

She was well aware of Natalia and Hamilton's situation.

In their circle, nothing was a secret if you dug deep enough.

Including Eveleen, who'd been sent abroad.

Certainly, she wouldn't be foolish like Eveleen. Let Hamilton have his fun with Natalia. In the end, the real winner is the one who enters the Fowler family.

After Hamilton left, Natalia entered the ICU. She hadn't seen Tatiana since she was rescued last night.

Seeing Tatiana lying in the hospital bed, Natalia's heart ached.

She had just begun to put on weight after a hard time, and now...

Natalia took Tatiana's hand, her nose tingling slightly.

"Mom, can you give me another miracle? Natalia wants her mom, Natalia wants a home."

"Mom, do you know? Last night, Hamilton saved us, saved you, and saved me."

"I lied before. I said I didn't like him, but from the beginning, the person I liked was only him."

"So, I want to try again."

After speaking, she smiled through her tears, "So, Mom, don't give up, okay? I still want you to see me get married."

Hamilton and Alden left the hospital and headed straight to where Lucinda was held.

As they approached the room, they heard cries of protest.

"This is illegal detention! Let me out, you have no right to keep me here! I didn't do anything!"

The door opened, and Lucinda rushed towards Hamilton.

Hamilton stepped back, making Lucinda miss and fall to her knees, breaking down in tears.

"Mr. Fowler, I really didn't do anything. Someone's setting me up; I swear I'm innocent. Eveleen's already gone; harming Natalia's mom does me no good. Mr. Fowler, I really didn't do it." Hamilton looked disgusted.

He signaled Alden with a glance.

Alden pulled Lucinda up from the ground.

Then, a razor-thin blade was pressed against Lucinda's throat.

Lucinda froze, her previous cries ceased, her face turning pale, her lips trembling slightly.

"Mrs. Schafer, you think we'd believe that?"

Lucinda's lips turned white, "I really didn't do it. Mr. Fowler, Eveleen's already gone; I have no reason to do this."

Alden chuckled, "Revenge isn't a reason?"

Lucinda's face went ghostly pale, "I wasn't seeking revenge. I really didn't, Mr. Fowler. You can check; I didn't bribe that man!"

Hamilton eyed her, "Oh? Then why contact him?"

Lucinda stiffened, her gaze dodging, "I was just catching up with a classmate!"

Hamilton glanced at Lucinda, his eyes flickering momentarily with an unreadable emotion.

The knife in Alden's grip plunged a fraction deeper, eliciting a sharp cry from Lucinda.

"Mrs. Schafer, I'm giving you one more chance."

Lucinda was shaking all over, tears involuntarily streaming down her face.

"I really didn't do it."

Suddenly, Hamilton let out a mocking laugh before catching her off guard with a question. "What about that video that went viral last week?" Instantly, Lucinda stiffened, her expression shifting from wrongful accusation to sheer panic.

Even though it was just a moment, it was enough for the three of them to notice.

"I... I don't know, what video?"

Alden turned to look at Hamilton.

With a cold chuckle, Hamilton walked over and forcefully grabbed Lucinda by the throat. "Lucinda, I thought I had warned you."

Lucinda started to choke, gasping for air with only a hoarse whisper escaping her throat. Alden frowned slightly, worried that his brother might accidentally go too far and kill her. Luckily, just as Lucinda was about to pass out, Hamilton roughly pushed her aside. The man's hands were covered in blood, his eyes revealing an undeniable fury.

"Take her to the jail, let them give her a proper welcome."

With that, he turned and walked away.

Desperate, Lucinda scrambled to her feet and clung to his legs.

"Mr. Fowler, please, for Eveleen's sake, I beg you."

What was jail if not a den of the most ruthless?

If she were sent there, wouldn't it cost her life?

But Hamilton kicked her away without a moment's hesitation.

"Mrs. Schafer, you should have thought about the consequences before you acted."

"And besides, Eveleen can't even clear her own name, so why would you think I'd spare you for her sake?"