Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart

Chapter 275 As Hamilton carried Natalia out of the bathroom, she was visibly exhausted, barely holding onto consciousness.

Resting against his chest, her eyelids fluttered, fighting sleep, yet her concern for Hamilton was evident.

Hamilton was off today, unmistakably so. Although his moods were often unpredictable, since making amends, such emotional distance had becrare.

"What's on your mind? Did something happen?" Natalia asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Hamilton glanced down at her, contemplating his next words, "Was it that obvious?" Natalia simply gazed at him, her lips pressed together in concern.

Gently laying her on the bed, Hamilton fetched the hair dryer. Without answering her question directly, he focused on drying her hair and adjusting the room's temperature to ensure her comfort before settling down next to her, eyes closed.

"I just missed you," he finally confessed. "Had a nightmare on my way here about you running off with srandom guy." Natalia couldn't help but roll her eyes at his admission.

Hamilton pulled her closer in response.

"Let's rest for a bit. I'll order in sfood. We can eat later." Sensing his reluctance to discuss further, Natalia sighed softly.

"I'm right here. No one's takenaway," she reassured him.

Hamilton cracked a smile, "Guess I need to cup with a plan to keep you tied to my side." With a gentle look, Natalia was about to broach the subject of her assignment but hesitated, choosing instead to let the moment pass.

"Let's get ssleep." Truly tired, Natalia drifted off quickly, leaving Hamilton to his thoughts. Once assured of her slumber, he reached for his phone, scrolling through a series of photos featuring Natalia and Ryan in various intimate poses. Despite the innocence he knew their interactions held, the images filled him with an irrational sense of jealousy. Deleting the photos one by one, Hamilton's next action was to send a message to Delilah, the source of his current turmoil.

"Delilah, seems the last lesson wasn't harsh enough!" On the receiving end, Delilah's mood plummeted. The message left her visibly shaken, her confidence waning by the second.

After sdeliberation, she replied, trying to justify her actions, but Hamilton's frustration only deepened. Meanwhile, Natalia's rest was anything but peaceful, sensing the tension beside her. Upon waking, her concern for Hamilton prompted her once again to seek answers.

"Hamilton? What's really going on? Did something happen?" Hamilton enveloped her in a comforting embrace, attempting to deflect, "Hungry?" With a nod, Natalia agreed to join him for a meal, pushing her worries aside for the moment.

The next day, they visited the Spiegel family estate, nestled in the outskirts of Boria City. The visit, long overdue, was particularly aimed at catching up with Delia and Alfonso.

Upon arrival, they were greeted by Caspian, whose casual demeanor today contrasted with his usual formal appearance. He teased about his grandfather's anticipation of their visit, especially Natalia's.

Inside, the family's warm reception made Natalia forget the unease of the previous night. Alfonso, in particular, expressed his affection by ensuring Natalia felt welcomed and cherished.

As Hamilton and Caspian caught up, the conversation inevitably turned towards family expectations and the challenges of navigating personal choices against traditional values Despite the underlying tensione day promised a brief respite from the complexities of their lives, offering moments of genuine connection and understanding.

Hamilton leaned casually against the railing of the balcony, his gaze softening as he watched Natalia and Alfonso, her doting grandfather, sharing a light moment filled with laughter and conversation not too far away.

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"To me, the Fowlers have always been a 'take it or leave it' kind of deal. They can reject Natalia all they want, can but they better brace themselves for the storm I'll bring if they do." Caspian let out a small sigh, "No matter what, you've got to look out for her. She's had her fair share of rough times by your side already." Hamilton shot him a look, "You think I don't know that?"

Caspian couldn't help but smile, "Hamilton, sometimes you should count your blessings. If she hadsomeone else to stand up for her, a ΝΟ family, someone to lean on, she probably wouldn't have ended up with you." His gaze drifted back to the cheerful pair in the distance, a pang of inexplicable sympathy for Natalia stirring in his heart. After a moment of silence, Hamilton spoke softly, "I'll be that someone for her from now on." Caspian chuckled and clapped him on the shoulder.

Alfonso led Natalia around the yard, showing her the grandeur of the Spiegel estate, a place that exuded ap understated opulence from every corner. The garden was dotted with pavilions and towers, each view more picturesque than the fast. Natalia listened intently as Alfonso guided her through the grounds, introducing each section.

"This is Caspian's wing; the rascal hardly ever stays here, claims it's too inconvenient." "Over there is where Caspian's parents stay." "That's Bianca's place." And so on, until they reached a particular part of the garden. Alfonso's steps halted abruptly, and in an instant, a shadow of sorrow covered his face.