Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart

Chapter 186 Natalie paused, a fleeting look of regret crossing her features.

She gave a small, apologetic laugh. "I'm sorry, Ryan, it's just not possible." Ryan's face was a portrait of pain. "Natalie, don't you even want to try for me?" Her gaze dropped. "I can try, Ryan, but I can't give up everything, I'm sorry." She truly couldn't.

She couldn't abandon the life she had fought so hard to build. Nor could she neglect Tatiana for anyone's sake. And of course, she couldn't ask Ryan to give up his promising future and happy family for her. What right did she have to demand such a sacrifice from him? She didn't believe she had that allure, nor did she want a relationship built on debts.

"But you were the one who wanted to start this relationship!" Ryan felt wronged.

Natalie now regretted her impulsiveness. "Ryan, I really am sorry. I thought we could go the distance, but I oversimplified things. If we step back now, we can still be friends. If we force it, we'll only end up resenting each other." "So, I'm sorry, Ryan, but let's break up." Ryan's eyes were red, and after a moment he asked, "Can we still be friends, then?" Natalie nodded softly. "Of course." Ryan started to reach out to her, as if to pat her head, but halfway through, he seemed to remember something and let his hand drop back to his side.

"I'll keep my promise, Natalie. On New Year's Eve, I'll cover for the fireworks." Natalie blinked, surprised. "You don't have to. It's an important day; you should stay hwith your family." But Ryan insisted, "It's my one wish now, Natalie. I want to spend the holiday with you." Natalie frowned.

Ryan just smiled. "Natalie, I won't give up. I'm choosing to break up because I don't want my family to hurt you anymore, but I'll keep trying until they accept us." Natalie was stunned. "Ryan, I'm not worth it." "I think you are," he said with a tender smile.

Before Natalie could respond, Ryan gave her a smile and walked away.

She furrowed her brow, wanting to call after him but ultimately remained silent.

She couldn't persuade him; sthings were beyond words. She had to let him cto terms with it himself. After Ryan disappeared, Natalie decided to head back.

But she hadn't gone far when she heard a car door opening nearby, and a man stepped out.

Hamilton quickly approached her.

Recognizing the newcomer, Natalie's mood instantly darkened.

This devious man had been lurking nearby, witnessing the entire exchange. And he even had the nerve to smile. "I told you it wouldn't last." Already feeling raw, Natalie's temper flared at his words. "Yes, but that doesn't mean it's your turn!" With that, she turned to leave.

Hamilton grabbed her arm, stopping her. "Not my turn? Who then? Ronin? He's even less reliable. What can that kid offer you? Natalie, be with me. Whatever you want, I'll give it to you." His words infuriated her. "Who says I need to be with a man at all? Letput it this way: I'd rather be single for life than have anything to do with you again!" She pushed him away, but he pulled her close, anger in his eyes.

"Why can he have you and not me?" Natalie glared back. "What do you think, Hamilton? You wantback, and then what? To continue being your mistress? A perpetual secret, never good enough to be seen in public? Is that it?" Hamilton's face stiffened, suddenly at a loss for words.

Natalie sneered and turned to leave.

Hamilton caught her again. "What do you want from me, Natalie?" She faced him squarely. "I want someone who loveswholeheartedly. Can you givethat devotion, that love?" He was silent.

"If you can't, then stay out of my life. I'm done playing canary for you," Natalie snapped, and she walked away. But as she left, she couldn't deny that Hamilton still had the power to upset her. She hadn't felt this hurt even after breaking up with Ryan, but Hamilton's few words reopened old wounds. What was happiness? The illusion of being his cherished canary? Or the sight of him being sweet with Eveleen? Just a patron and his kept woman, nothing more.

Hamilton watched Natalie's resolute departure, a mix of emotions brewing within him. After a long while, he laughed bitterly, realizing his efforts had been a joke.

Natalie's words had pierced him deeply.

He stood alone in the chill of the winter night, a solitary figure amidst the festive eve. Eventually, he returned to his car.

There, on the passenger seat, lay a bouquet of irises, mocking his unrequited affections.

Hamilton picked up the flowers, rolled down the window, and threw them out into the night.

New Year's Eve cquickly, and while homes were alight with celebration, Hamilton's car was parked outside Ron Group's office, not in his usual luxury vehicle, but in an unassuming sedan. Lately, Hamilton found himself lingering in the area every day after work.

He would watch Natalie leave the office, follow her at a distance until she got back to her apartment, and only then would he depart.

He hadn't approached her again.

The words that woman had thrown at him had cut too deep, and despite everything, Hamilton had his pride to consider.

But he had to admit, if a day passed without seeing Natalie, something just felt off inside him.

Hamilton thought to himself, this must be what they call being a glutton for punishment.

After ensuring all her employees received their New Year bonuses, Natalie locked up the office and headed home.

The downtown traffic was particularly heavy on New Year's Eve.

By the tshe got home, Scarlett had already packed up, ready to leave.

"Honey, are you sure you won't cwith me?" Scarlett asked.

Natalie chuckled and shook her head.

"No, it's okay. I'll stay here and keep Mom company." Scarlett sighed, "Alright then, I'll call you when I get home." "Sure." Once Scarlett left, Natalie was alone in the house.

Standing in the empty living room, it was impossible to deny the loneliness that crept in.

Outside, every hseemed to be alight with life, yet she was always on her own.

At least she was somewhat used to it by now.

Natalie started to get things ready to make sdumplings, a small m attempt at holiday tradition, but no sooner had she mixed the dough, her phone suddenly rang. It was Debbie, the hospital nurse.

Wiping her hands quickly, Natalie answered the call.

"Debbie, if you need to get home, you can go ahead. I'll cover soon." "No, it's not that," cDebbie's voice, quivering with barely contained excitement.

"Ms. Jenkins, it looks like your mother is waking up!" "What?" Natalie's scalp tingled with a sudden numbness. "Debbie, could you please repeat that?"

"I was bathing your mother just now, and her fingers moved. The doctors oved. The doctors are examining her as we speak. Ms. Jenkins, you need to cquickly." Natalie felt as if her limbs had turned to lead.

"Okay, I'm on my way." She hung up, grabbed her car keys, and bolted outside.

After a few steps, she realized she was still in her pajamas.

Rushing back, she changed clothes and ran out again.

Hamilton was downstairs, about to leave when he saw Natalie spanting apartment in a hurry.

down from her He wrestled with himself, but in the end, he couldn't resist. He started the car and followed her.