Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart

Chapter 167 Eveleen's heart skipped a beat, a sudden jolt that seemed to echo the hollow drop of disappointment within her.

What on earth did Hamilton mean by that? Was the necklace-her last card-not enough to sway him? Had Natalia becso indispensable in his life? "Hamilton, are you really going to wash your hands off me?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper.

Hamilton lounged on the couch, his eyes resting on Eveleen's tear-streaked face, his mind involuntarily drifting to the image of Natalia sprawled on a rocky shore. A leaden weight settled in his chest, unspoken and heavy. "Actions have consequences, Eveleen. It's as simple as that." "Hamilton! Have you forgotten..." she pleaded, her face ashen.

"You mean what happened when we were young? Eveleen, do you really think that I can really tolerate you forever because of our childhood?" Eveleen turned pale.

The tension in the room was palpable.

The onlookers exchanged confused glances, unable to fathom what could have led Hamilton to treat Eveleen with such cold indifference.

Victor, aware of sof the undercurrents, chuckled lightly. "Hamilton, ease up, will you? Look at Evi, pale as a sheet." "Don't worry, Eveleen. Hamilton's just pulling your leg. He wouldn't let you suffer like that." Victor's words seemed to relax the room slightly.

But before anyone could further the conversation, Hamilton's scoff cut through the tentative calm.

"Mr. Henkel, if you want to help, go ahead. Leaveout of it." Eveleen's fury flared at his response. Hamilton was serious about abandoning her.

"Hamilton, you're serious about this?" Victor's brow furrowed in concern.

"Because of Natalia?" He knew the story that others didn't. The day Natalia nearly died was linked to Eveleen, though Victor had also felt a twinge of anger. But to him, Natalia, while tragic, wasn't as vital as Eveleen. And if that was true for him, it surely had to be for Hamilton. Hamilton remained silent, his expression unreadable.

Victor's face grew stern. "Are you really falling for her? Hamilton, are you in love with her?" Because only true feelings could explain why Hamilton was willing to push Eveleen aside for Natalia's sake. Hamilton snorted. Love or not, what did it matter? His actions were driven by one fact-Natalia was his woman, and he was intent on winning her back. That was all. Casting a wary glance at Victor, Hamilton retorted, "Are you out of your mind?" He then turned to Eveleen, his stance softening just slightly.

"I won't restrict you from seeing a doctor anymore, but don't expectto find one for you. And as for everything else, I'm done intervening. Eveleen, no one can indulge you forever, not even me." With those final words, Hamilton stood and left the room, plunging it once again into an eerie silence. Eveleen, pale as death, seethed with rage.

Victor frowned, casting a worried glance at her. "He's serious this time." Eveleen glared at him. "Shut up!" Victor shrugged, his own concern deepening.

As Hamilton exited the Crest Club, he ran into Elliott, who had arrived late.

"Leaving already?" Elliott asked, surprised.

Hamilton ignored him.

Elliott caught his arm. "Natalia's father made a scene at the hospital today. It's a good thing I was there." Hamilton's brow furrowed deeply. "Did you handle it?" Elliott nodded. "But don't worry, I only helped her because of you." Hamilton shot him a look. "Mind your own business." Elliott was taken aback. How had he becthe meddler? But Hamilton was already walking away, leaving Elliott to head into Crest Club alone.

Hamilton drove straight to Lotus Estates after leaving the club, just in tto catch Dr. Scarlett returning from work and spotting him smoking at the building's entrance.

Rolling her eyes, she spat disdainfully in his direction before heading upstairs.

Hamilton saw her gesture and called out, "Dr. Scarlett." She stopped and turned, her expression one of irritation. "What do you want, Mr. Fowler?" "Get Natalia for me," he said, his gaze falling.

Scarlett's temper flared. Did he really think Natalia was at his beck and call? "Why don't you call her yourself?" Hamilton's patience was wearing thin. Natalia might reject him, but that didn't mean others could. "Don't think I won't deal with you just because you're Natalia's friend, Scarlett," he warned, his voice icy. Scarlett felt a flicker of fear but didn't want to give in to a man she considered a jerk.

"Hamilton, are you insane? You didn't appreciate her when you had her, and now you're clinging to her even though you agreed to split? Do you remember how much she suffered for you? When she miscarried, you were heartless. When she fell from the cliff, you were with Eveleen. And now you have the gall to ccrawling back? I spit on that! Stay away from Natalia. She's been so much better off without you-men are lining up for her, and she could do better with any of them than with you!" With that, Scarlett ran into the building, heart pounding, relieved when Hamilton didn't follow.

Safe in her apartment, she found Natalia setting the table.

"What's the rush? You look like you've seen a ghost," Natalia teased.

Scarlett frowned. "That jerk's back. I just gave him a piece of my mind." Natalia paused, her voice tinged with concern, "You don't need to pick fights with him on my behalf anymore.

He's got a screw loose. No telling when he might snap back at you." Scarlett rolled her eyes; it's not like she enjoyed butting heads with that guy.

She just couldn't stand to see Natalia hurt.

Natalia chuckled, "I'm fine. But if you rile up Hamilton, we might all end up in hot water." Scarlett couldn't help but curse under her breath.

"Jerk!" Downstairs, Hamilton's expression was darker than the chilly winter night.

He was oblivious to the fact that just about any Tom, Dick, or Harry felt entitled to badmouth him now.

He stood there for a moment, sneering before getting back into his car.

Just as he was about to drive away, he saw Natalia stepping out of the apartment building.

She was wearing just a nightgown, with a down jacket thrown over it.

The wind tousled her hair.

She was the picture of domestic life - a Natalia he hadn't seen in ages.

Hamilton's Adam's apple bobbed.

He was about to step out of the car when he heard someone call out. "Natalia." Hamilton's brow furrowed at the sound.

Turning his head, he saw Ryan standing not far away, his presence like a shadow falling over Hamilton's mood.

Natalia didn't even glance in Hamilton's direction.

She walked straight over to Ryan.

In the play of light and shadow, Natalia tilted her head up to look at om the man before her joy in her eyes and a smile on her face - a sight that twisted Hamilton's heart. "What brings you here all of a sudden?" "It's Christmas Eve, and I just found myself missing you." Ryan presented Natalia with a bouquet of delphiniums.

Natalia was momentarily taken aback, then accepted them with a smile, "Thank you, Ryan." Her hands were visibly red from the cold.

Ryan frowned and unwrapped his scarf, placing it gently around her neck, then slipped off his gloves to warm her hands. "Why'd you cdown dressed like that? What if you catch a cold?" Natalia, looking down at the flowers in her arms, chuckled, "Couldn't be bothered to change." Ryan gazed at her tenderly, "Well, you better head back inside. It's freezing out here." He had cjust to see Natalia; now that he had, he felt content.

Natalia lifted her eyes to meet Ryan's.

After a brief silence, she ventured, "Want to cup and try my cooking?" Ryan's eyes lit up instantly.

He hadn't expected an invitation, but he certainly wouldn't turn it down.

Even if he'd already eaten, he'd make room for a second dinner.

"I've been hungry for a while." Natalia responded with a laugh, "Then let's go, I'm starving too."

Hamilton watched this scene unfold and could no longer contain himself. He stepped out of his car, blocking E their path. Natalia halted, and upon recognizing Hamilton, her brows knitted together in displeasure.

"Mr. Fowler, what brings you here at this hour?" Hamilton let out a scoff, his gaze landing on Ryan.

"What's the matter? He can cby, but I can't?" Natalia held Hamilton's gaze.

After a moment, she turned to Ryan, who stood by her side.

"Ryan, would you want to be my boyfriend? If you're up for it, let's give it a shot."