Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart

Chapter 302 Natalia stared at the card resting atop the bouquet for a long while before setting it aside. Then she picked up the pair of earrings.

These earrings were even more exquisite than the ones he had bought for Eveleen, beautiful indeed, a significant upgrade from the random pair he once picked up at the mall.

But Natalia barely gave them a second glance before setting them aside and heading to freshen up.

After last night's outburst, she felt somewhat calmer.

But the hurt resurfaced every tshe thought about it.

Lost in her reflection, Natalia couldn't help but drift into her thoughts.

Hamilton, carrying breakfast, found Natalia zoning out in front of the mirror.

He set the breakfast aside and wrapped his arms around her from behind.

It was only then that Natalia snapped back to reality.

"Why are you here again?" she asked.

Hamilton, his lips curling into a gentle smile, replied, "Went out to grab sbreakfast. Got you soatmeal." Natalia paused, her gaze dropping.

"I'm not hungry." Hamilton's hand, however, rested on her belly.

"Little troublemaker giving you grief?" Natalia pushed him away with a cold retort.

"It's not the little troublemaker, it's the big troublemaker." Hamilton's heart skipped a beat at her words, his breathing deepening.

Since Tatiana Joyner's passing, this was the first tNatalia's demeanor towards him had softened. Not that it was warm, but at least she didn't look at him like he was the enemy anymore.

Holding her hand, Hamilton whispered, "Then let's properly punish the big troublemaker." Natalia didn't respond, simply pulling away to eat her breakfast and head out.

Knowing everything Hamilton had done was for Eveleen, Natalia found herself uncertain about her feelings towards him. She couldn't treat him with the scold indifference, nor could she pretend nothing had happened.

The hurt was real and undeniable.

Even if she could somehow overlook this matter, there were still the Fowler and the Powell families to consider. Compared to Hamilton, her child was now her priority.

Hamilton knew she hadn't forgiven him fully yet, but her not pushing him away was progress.

Without saying more, he followed Natalia out, offering to pick her up after her event.

"Callwhen you're done, I'll cget you." Natalia turned to him, her voice laced with disbelief, "Is Ivy Gemstone really that slow now?" She knew the hustle of the golden sales season all too well to believe Hamilton could afford to be this idle.

Hamilton, holding her wrist gently, said, "Natalia, how about I give Ivy Gemstone to you?" Her heart tightened.

"It was built for Eveleen, after all." Natalia's gaze turned mocking, "Then why didn't you give it to Eveleen in the first place?" Hamilton, at a loss for words from her sharp retort, watched as she left the car.

Ryan Holzer was already waiting for her. Seeing her, he hurried over, and Natalia's expression softened immediately.

Hamilton, watching this scene, felt an indescribable bitterness.

He lit a cigarette, leaning against his car, not approaching but making his presence felt.

Ryan, noticing Hamilton's gaze, sensed the possessiveness in it.

"You should head inside. Mr. Collin is waiting," Ryan told Natalia, who nodded and went in.

Ryan then approached Hamilton.

"Mr. Holzer, good morning." Ryan, facing Hamilton, his eyes cold and complex, reminded him of his own words from the past. "Hamilton, remember what you told me? You're just causing her trouble now. Either take control and deal with your family first or stay away from her!" Hamilton, hearing his own advice thrown back at him, couldn't help but laugh, though his heart was mixed with feelings. Natalia's matters were not for others to meddle in.

"Don't worry, Mr. Holzer. I'll handle the Fowler matters," Hamilton said with confidence, though Ryan knew all too well the complexity of Fowler family issues.

Ryan, with a faint smile, warned, "I once said I'd take her away if you hurt her again. Though I missed the assignment this time, I'd still take her away without hesitation she's willing." Hamilton, smirking coldly, challenged, "Can you really take her away? If so, Ryan, you wouldn't just be talking." He knew Natalia well; her strong-willed nature meant no one could take her away against her will. For Natalia, her child and her career were her priorities, in that order.

She was genuinely fond of her job at the Foreign Affairs Department, so much so that she was willing to comply with all its demands and procedures.

He had always been reluctant about Natalia joining the Foreign Affairs Department.

In his mind, she was supposed to be a delicate flower, shielded and protected under his wings.

But now, he found himself somewhat grateful for the constraints her position imposed on her.

Otherwise, even if her assignment had been postponed, he doubted he could have convinced her to stay.

Ryan chuckled, "Mr. Fowler, maybe you shouldn't be too knows? One day Nay Confident Who Natalia might just decide to leave everything behind, even without a second thought." Of course, he hoped that day would never come.

But his words served as a perfect jolt to Hamilton's ego.

As expected, the smugness and confidence that had been plastered on Hamilton's/face vanished instantly. Without adding more, Ryan gave Hamilton a smile and turned to leave.

Hamilton stood frozen for a moment before dialing Caspian's number.

"Meet up?"

They decided on a coffee shop, and knowing Hamilton wasn't a fan of coffee, Caspian had a cup of tea waiting for him. "What's up?" Hamilton twirled the cup between his slender fingers, taking his tbefore he spoke.

"I need a favor from you." Caspian let out a laugh, "What is it? If it's about chasing Natalia, forget it. If you really want to win her over, you've got to show sreal effort." Hamilton still wore a smile, but a cold glint flashed through his eyes.

"It's not about Natalia." He laid out his plan to Caspian.

Caspian was taken aback, struggling to grasp the idea. "Are you sure about this?" mmMwWLlilofiflo&1 mmMwWLlilofiflo&1 mmMwWLliI0fiflO&1 mmMwWLlilofiflo&1 mmMwWLliIofifl0&1 mmMwWLlilofiflo&1