Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart

Chapter 86 “Of course, where are you now? I'll cpick you up: “No need, I'll just grab a cab,” Natalia replied.

Scarlett tentatively asked, “Natalia, are you alright?” Natalia chuckled, “I'm fine.” But she wasn't really fine. She was somewhat relieved that those online trolls hadn’t dug up her personal details.

Otherwise, she really wouldn't know what to do.

When Scarlett opened the door and saw Natalla’s pale face, her brow furrowed deeply.

“What on earth did you do to yourself?” Catching sight of Scarlett, a lump formed in Natalia’s throat, but she held back the tears, crying wouldn't solve anything.

“Scarlett, | need to take a shower.” “Alright, alright, I'll run you a bath. Soak in a hot bath and relax.” Scarlett ushered Natalia into the bathroom.

“I think I'm about to start my period; Can you makesginger coffee?” “No problem. You just wait here.” After Scarlett left, Natalia glanced at her phone again. Hamilton hadn’t called again since that call.

She let out a wry smile, set her phone aside, and closed her eyes.

After soaking in the bath, she felt a bit better.

- was Scarlett watched her sip the ginger tea before hesitantly speaking up, it Eveleen behind tonight's mess?” After a brief silence, Natalia admitted, “Probably.” “That bitch! What's her deal? If she wants to make up with Hamilton, she should go bother him. Why take it out on you?” Natalia’s cold laugh resonated; wasn’t that the truth? F=222 “And what about Hamilton? What's his take?” Natalia shook her head. “Don’t know.” “Hasn't he reached out to you?” Natalia’s gaze dropped to her phone. “He called once, but | didn’t pick up.” And then” Nothing?” Natalia remained silent Scarlett was instantly livid.

“That bastard Hamilton! He's the one who stirred up all this trouble, and now he’s just leaving you to deal with the fallout? He's a damn dog of a man, completely heartless. And to think | thought he was decent to you! He might as well marry that witch Eveleen-they’re a match made in hell!” Listening to Scarlett’s tirade, Natalia couldn't help but laugh.

“And you're laughing! I'm about to explode here.” Natalia’s smile persisted as she looked at Scarlett.

“Scarlett, thank you. Without you, I'd have no one to talk to.” Scarlett’s eyes reddened at that. She had always been emotional, and seeing Natalia like this was already breaking her heart. Now, hearing her words was almost too much.

Wiping away a tear, she warned, “If you talk like that again, I'll be really mad at you!” Nodding, Natalia leaned on Scarlett’s shoulder. “Okay, no more of that.” “Mhm,” Scarlett murmured, and they stayed like that, Natalia leaning on her in silence.

After a while, Natalia’s complexion had improved. She nudged Scarlett’s arm and asked, “Can you findsclothes?” Scarlett frowned and said, “Stay here tonight.” Natalia shook her head. Even if she didn’t return home, she couldn't stay at Scarlett’s and drag her into this mess. Besides, the issue remained unresolved.

Only Hamilton could help her now, so she had to go back.

So she let out a wry smile. “Hamilton is waiting forto cback.” Scarlett’s brow furrowed deeply. “How do you know? Didn't he stop calling?” Natalia chuckled softly, her eyes downcast.

He hadn't called again because he was waiting-waiting for her to go back to him, to ask for his help.

Hamilton, she thought bitterly, always knew how to wield control. And all the tenderness he might possess, she suspected, had been given to Eveleen, leaving her with nothing but his coldness.

Understanding dawned on Scarlett, and she cursed Hamilton again.

“Why should you have to beg him for help when he’s the one who caused all this trouble?” A familiar sourness returned to Natalia’s nose. “Because he’s powerful, and because he doesn’t care.” He didn’t care, hence the videos were still up. Just like at the office, when he let the rumors spread. He would act only when she asked him to.

It pained Scarlett to hear this. She couldn’t help but lash out at Hamilton again.

Natalia felt a deep ache but didn’t let it show in front of Scarlett.

After changing, she left.

But before she went, she had one last request. “Scarlett, sendthat info about the care facility you mentioned last time, please.” Scarlett opened her mouth as if to speak but ultimately just nodded.

Back at her place.

Hamilton sat on the living room couch, his demeanor icy, his gaze unfathomable. He was still in his suit.

Natalia glanced at him briefly before looking away.

“Did you see your old classmate?” Hamilton's voice cut through the silence.

Natalia answered flatly, “No.” She continued towards her room.

Hamilton's eyes lingered on her freshly washed hair and changed clothes, his expression turning even more gloomy.

He reached out and pulled her towards him.

Natalia stumbled, falling onto the couch, her head thudding against his chest. Hamilton wrapped an arm around her waist and asked with his voice dangerously low, “Where did you shower and change?” 2123525 Natalia looked up at him, a bitter smile on her lips.

“Hamilton, does it matter to you? Do you care where I've been or who I've seen?” Hamilton's gaze bore into her. After a moment, he said, “Do you think it matters to me?” Natalia laughed, a hollow sound.

“Why did you have to leavealone again? If you ditched me, it’s only natural I'd look for scompany!” Natalia’s accusation hung in the air, a challenge to Hamilton's composure.

Hamilton's face twisted into a scowl, his frustration boiling over as he pinned her against the plush backrest of the couch.

“Who were you out with?” he demanded, his voice low and dangerous.

Natalia let out a laugh, but there was no humor in it. “Would you believeif | said no one?” Hamilton's eyes narrowed. She had a point. The image was etched in his mind, the one that Elliott had sent him earlier that day-Natalia, looking stunning against the backdrop of the night, like a mse in full bloom after a rainstorm.

Any man would have taken a second look at a woman like that.

And there was that two-hour gap, the tbetween Elliott sending the photo and Natalia’s. return. Where had she been? Who had she seen? She’d even cback freshly showered, in new clothes.

He didn’t believe her claim of solitude, not for a second. But he wasn’t going to ask; he’d find out on his own.

Releasing her, Hamilton stepped back, his expression unreadable.

Natalia slumped into the couch, a bitter taste coating her tongue. “Did you enjoy the premiere, Hamilton? Was Eveleen radiant? Why did you have to wear the suit | bought for you to see her?” There was a heavy silence before Hamilton offered a terse explanation. “I was actually on my way to see you, but something cup with Eveleen. | had to go there.” The sourness in Natalia’s nose intensified, tears threatening to fall as she buried her face in the armrest, her body wracked with discomfort. Her stomach ached, her body shivering with cold.

Hamilton,” she called softly, her voice barely above a whisper. “Could you clear things up about today’s incident for me, please?”