Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart

Chapter 287 Natalia's face turned a shade paler almost instantly.

"What's going on? Why the sudden delay?" Ryan shook his head, clearly frustrated.

"We'll only know once we're back at the office." Without a second glance at Hamilton, Natalia stormed off.

Hamilton didn't attempt to stop her; he simply followed her lead.

Ryan caught Hamilton's eye but remained silent.

As the tmade their way out of the airport terminal, Natalia hopped into Ryan's car without hesitation.

Hamilton, shameless as ever, squeezed himself into the vehicle alongside them.

Ryan's brows furrowed in annoyance, but he eventually let out a sigh and started the car.

He couldn't believe someone could be as brazen as Hamilton.

Despite Natalia's countless rejections, Hamilton still clung to her like a bad smell.

Ryan thought this was perhaps the difference between him and Hamilton.

Upon arriving at the office, Ryan and Natalia hurriedly went to see Dawson.

Hamilton, stepping out of the car, watched their retreating backs with a hint of sourness in his heart.

Yet, he said nothing, merely taking out his phone to make a call.

"Head to the hospital and alter Natalia's medical records. Any mention of her pregnancy must be erased, replaced with stress-related symptoms. Wipe all pregnancy information." After hanging up, he sent Caspian a message.

Thanks.

Caspian, reading the message, felt a mix of emotions.

He wasn't sure if helping Hamilton keep Natalia was right or wrong.

But Hamilton's mention of their childhood had tugged at his heartstrings.

In his power games and cold exterior, nobody knew Hamilton had never truly felt loved.

His family was an abyss.

Cherish what you have, he thought.

Clutching his phone, Hamilton let out a breath.

Natalia and Ryan soon exited the building, Natalia looking visibly upset.

Hamilton quickly approached them.

Natalia, silent, walked to the car.

"Back to the hotel?" Ryan asked softly.

Natalia nodded. As she got into the car, Hamilton squeezed in again.

Ryan was about to protest when Natalia beat him to it.

"Get out." "I don't have a ride." Not just no ride, but nowhere to stay, either.

"What's that got to do with us?" Natalia's patience was thinning. "Out!" "You two?" Hamilton felt a pang, "Natalia, we haven't finished talking." "There's nothing left to say." Hamilton reached for her hand, "You can't leave now." "Leaving or staying is none of your business!" Natalia pulled away, "It's either you get out, or I do." Hamilton, throat bobbing with swallowed words, was about to exit when Ryan drove off.

Glancing at Hamilton through the rearview mirror, Ryan spoke.

"Natalia's been running on fumes. Please, Mr. Fowler, book your own room and let her rest." Hamilton, face grim, stayed silent.

After Ryan ensured Natalia was settled in her hotel room, he left.

As Natalia was about to close the door, Hamilton barged in.

Her expression darkened, but Hamilton quickly said, "Just hearout." "I've had the hospital erase your pregnancy records." "Thank you," Natalia said, a hint of surprise in her voice. She had planned to ask Scarlett to do just that, yet Hamilton had anticipated it. "This is the least I could do," Hamilton's voice was low.

Natalia chuckled bitterly, "Hamilton, you should've realized the moment you went to Eveleen, I'd never turn back, dead or alive!" "Natalia, I just wanted to-" She cut him off, "You'll never understand. When you truly want to let go, you can, regardless of the situation. Hamilton, you can deny it all you want, but Eveleen holds a place in your heart." Hamilton, at a loss for words, finally muttered, "All I have for her is gratitude." "Then live with your gratitude." After pushing him out, Natalia was left to ponder.

What was so important he needed to say in person? What place did he hold in her heart that he'd seek out Eveleen even after promising to return to her? She had tolerated much as Hamilton's mistress, but being inca committed relationship, even discussing marriage, she couldn't stomach his indecision.

Hamilton didn't knock again. Instead, he booked the room next to Natalia's and spent the night smoking on the sofa.

As dawn broke, he called Caspian, acquired Natalia's room key from the front desk, and entered her room.

The woman on the bed was restless in her sleep.

Sitting beside her, Hamilton's gaze was filled with pain.

The image of her emerging from the morgue, eyes and nose red, overwhelmed with grief yet devoid of attachment, haunted him.

He reached out to caress her face but hesitated at the last moment.

His eyes lingered on her still-flat belly, his breath catching.

This was the child he had longed for, thinking it would ensure she never left.

But now...

He wondered if she was heartless or if he was to blame.

His hand hovered over her belly, trembling slightly.

He remained by her side for a long while.

Before leaving, he pulled out an "Only" ring from his pocket.

Hamilton had never known love.

He even thought he'd never fall for anyone in his lifetime.

When the planners asked him to nthe ring, the first word that cto his mind was "Only." He didn't understand what love was, yet it seemed he had hopelessly fallen for her.

Hamilton gently took Natalia's hand, sliding the ring back onto herdeftring Conto finger. Then, he leaned down and kissed her softly on the lips. Hamilton didn't want to wake her up.

Before dawn broke, he got up and left.

The moment the door closed behind him, a tear rolled down Natalia's cheek.

She pulled her hands under the covers, her fingers caressing then diamond ring for a long while before finally taking it off. The next day, Natalia returned to Silkwood City.

Since she couldn't leave the country, she wanted to retrieve Tatiana's belongings as soon as possible.

Hamilton was on the sflight as her.

Before boarding, Hamilton noticed the ring was missing from her hand.

Standing next to Natalia, he looked down and asked softly, "Didn't like the ring?" Natalia took out the ring and offered it back to him.

"I told you, I've already returned it to you." But Hamilton didn't take it.

"Natalia, a gift given is like water poured out; there's no taking just like there's Rocking & back, pra prayer beads you gave there's no reason to agave them back either." Natalia felt a tightness in her chest.

"Hamilton, I can't keep it!" Hamilton chuckled, "Well, if you don't want it, you might as well throw it in the trash."