Echoes of a Forsaken Heart (Natalia and Hamilton)

Natalia flung the ring at him, then turned on her heel, striding towards the boarding gate.

Hamilton caught it, looking down at the ring in his palm and sighed softly before hurrying after her.

"If you don't want the ring, that's fine. Tell me what you do want, and I'll get it for you, okay?"

Natalia paused, then chuckled, "Hamilton, I really liked those earrings from the auction that one time. I really did." Because he had once promised to gift them to her.

She had been looking forward to it.

But in the end, he gave those earrings to Eveleen.

Looking back, it seemed everything was perhaps predetermined.

The gifts he promised her were easily redirected to Eveleen at a mere gesture from her.

Even if Eveleen was gone, her place in his heart seemed immutable.

Hamilton froze for a moment.

After a while, he asked, "Why didn't you tell me at the time?"

Natalia laughed, a bitter sound. "Would it have made a difference? Hamilton, do you know? I felt like a clown."

Natalia hadn't wanted to bring up the past.

The past was the past, and there was no point dwelling on it.

But it felt like there was a lump in her chest.

Why should she be the one to swallow all the hurt?

Hamilton felt a heavy weight in his chest.

"I'm sorry, I didn't know. I always thought you really didn't like those earrings, I..."

"It's not that I didn't like them. I just didn't like how you gave her the best and then carelessly chose something as if to just appease me." Natalia turned and walked away.

Hamilton felt a sharp pain in his chest.

He suddenly realized that what he had thought was satisfactory, even generous, had deeply hurt her.

He stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her waist, "Natalia, from now on, I'll bring the best of the world to you."

But Natalia pulled away from him.

She didn't need it anymore.

To her, the best, the most important things, were already lost.

Now, she just wanted to protect her child.

Landing in Silkwood City, Natalia called Debby right away.

Hamilton stayed close, and after she hung up, he ushered her into the car.

"Hamilton, you..."

"That day you asked me to meet you at the graveyard, was it about Tatiana?" Hamilton cut her off with a question.

Natalia hesitated, the words she wanted to say stuck in her throat.

She indeed wanted to know about Tatiana.

"Yes, I wanted to ask how your investigation was going."

Hamilton's gaze darkened.

After a long silence, he said, "I'm sorry, Natalia, it does involve my grandfather."

Natalia suddenly didn't know what to say.

She knew better than anyone that it wasn't Hamilton's fault.

She couldn't be angry with Hamilton, but still, it had created a rift between them.

His grandfather was responsible for her mother's death.

Natalia's eyes filled with sorrow.

She thought she was striving for happiness.

But it turned out to be just a joke to others.

So this time, she would not let her child take any risks.

Hamilton swallowed hard and took her hand.

"I'm sorry."

Natalia pulled away, "This isn't about you."

Hamilton felt a pang of distress watching her avoid him.

He would rather have her angry with him, hitting or scolding him, than drawing lines between them.

Hamilton gazed at Natalia, then suddenly pressed her beneath him.

"Natalia, don't treat me like this!"

Natalia struggled immediately.

"Hamilton, get off!"

Hamilton kissed her suddenly.

The heat of his breath seemed to suppress something.

Natalia wanted to struggle but was afraid of hurting the baby inside her, pushing him away as hard as she could.

Yet Hamilton, seemingly aware of her concerns, continued without shame.

Until Natalia bit down hard, the taste of blood spreading.

Hamilton let her go, and Natalia slapped him.

The sting was painful but somehow made him feel slightly relieved.

He licked the blood at the corner of his mouth, then grabbed her chin, his nose brushing against hers.

"You should be like this, Natalia. If I'm wrong, hit me, scold me, but please, don't draw lines between us like before." Natalia's eyes reddened with anger.

"Hamilton, please, just let me be, okay? I'm seared. You don't know how helpless I felt when my mom was gone. I wished you were there, but you weren't. Hamilton, you've left me twice, and I don't want to go through it again."

Hamilton felt a sharp pain at her words.

"I'm sorry, I promise, it won't happen again. Natalia, I swear."

He kissed her gently, apologizing repeatedly.

"Natalia,

give

you, me a chance to make it both a home." Content beloolinet

right, okay? I want to take care

you, our child. I want to give y

Natalia's heart ached.

Home

She longed for it, yet knew it was just a wishful thinking.

Natalia pushed him away.

"Not everything can be atoned for."

Hamilton felt a sting in his heart.

Then, his gaze fell on her belly.

"Natalia, for our child's sake, give us a chance, okay?"

He gently caressed her belly.

Natalia wanted to push him away but ultimately resisted.

After all, he was the father of her child.

Her assignment was delayed, but she could be called away at any moment.

She couldn't offer her child a father's love, only clinging to the moment.

But she didn't expect his touch to suddenly take a different turn.

"Which time do you think it happened?"

Natalia pushed his hand away.

"Hamilton, if you don't want to drive me, I can just grab an Uber!"

Hamilton didn't take it too seriously.

Even if he was the biggest jerk.

He wouldn't get frisky at a time like this.

He just, wanted to tease her a bit.

He really couldn't stand to see her looking so sad.

So, when Natalia called, he took her hand.

"Natalia, I'll take care of you and the kid from now on."

Natalia didn't respond, just stared out the window.

But the corners of her eyes were slightly reddened.

Debby saw Natalia and immediately felt a pang of sympathy.

"Ms. Jenkins, don't be sad, your mom would have wanted you to be okay."

Natalia fought back the tears and nodded.

Then, Debby turned to Hamilton.

She wanted to give him a piece of her mind, but her brow furrowed at the sight of the slap mark on his face.

Still, she asked.

"Are you two planning to get married?"

She had heard everything Natalia had told Tatiana in the hospital room.

Natalia stiffened.

Hamilton looked deeply at Natalia.

He smiled, "We'll get married sooner or later."

Debby quickly nodded, "Then you better treat Ms. Jenkins right!"

Hamilton swallowed, "Of course."

But Natalia laughed on the side.

Hamilton knew what she was thinking from her expression; she didn't believe his words.

He felt a bit stuffy inside but possessively pulled her into his embrace.

"Don't worry, I'll treat her well."

Natalia struggled a bit but couldn't escape without making a scene in front of Debby, so she let him hold her.

After chatting a bit more, Debby handed Natalia a bag.

"I hadn't noticed before, but these

things were all tucked away in the back the cupboard. If it wasn't for

up this time, I would've never found them."

Natalia took it, thanking Debby, and after a bit more chatting, they headed back to the car.

It wasn't until they were in the car that she opened the bag.