Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart

Chapter 278 The two of them stayed at the hospital until nightfall.

As they left the hospital, they saw Elliott, looking utterly forlorn, standing on the sidewalk, smoking a cigarette. "What's the matter? Did Dr. Scarlett give you a hard tagain?" Hamilton asked, his tone a mix of mockery and teasing.

Elliott let out a frustrated sigh. "Natalia, your friend must have been living under a rock, huh? Never seen a man before?" Natalia was instantly peeved. "Elliott, what kind of way is that to talk?" Elliott scratched his nose. "I didn't mean it like that. I just don't get how she freezes up every tshe sees Emeric." That afternoon, he had followed Scarlett, planning to keep her company as she went to submit her resignation paperwork.

But as luck would have it, as soon as they reached the central hospital, they bumped into Emeric. Emeric, with his usual lack of enthusiasm, tried to persuade her to stay.

He even mentioned, "I saw your application for the advanced training program cthrough early. Aren't you planning to go through with it?" Scarlett glared at Elliott right there and then. "Thanks to a certain lunatic, I might have to resign even if I don't want to!" Emeric caught on immediately. "Looks like Elliott has been trying to poach talent with a bit too much zeal, huh?" Elliott managed a laugh, but he didn't expect Emeric to then offer to Scarlett, "If you don't want to resign, I can talk to the dean for you." And Scarlett, the woman that she is, changed her tune on the spot.

No matter how much Elliott tried to persuade her, it was no use. Scarlett scoffed at Elliott and turned to leave without another word.

Elliott looked at Emeric. "Emeric's not falling for Dr. Scarlett, is he?" Emeric just smiled. "Dr. Scarlett is indeed charming, but I just think it's a shame. She could have a bright future after completing the training program. It'd be a waste to lose this opportunity over nothing." Elliott, faced with Emeric's righteous indignation, felt a fire building inside him that had no outlet.

He wasn't really about to start a fight over Scarlett with Emeric.

Natalia was at a loss for words.

But as long as it was Scarlett's choice, she supported it.

On the road, Natalia gave Scarlett a call.

Scarlett was ecstatic.

"Natalia, I don't have to resign, and I got into the training program! All thanks to Emeric! He helpedwith everything! Natalia, I'm totally smitten, what do I do?" Natalia chuckled. "Calm down. What do you know about Emeric? Have you looked into him?" Scarlett laughed. "No matter what, he's got to be better than Elliott. Natalia, I'm so happy." Listening to Scarlett's excited voice, Natalia felt a rare moment of peace.

Westley's birthday was just around the corner.

Hamilton had been incredibly busy these past few days.

Every day when he returned, Natalia was already asleep.

Looking at the person lying in bed, Hamilton hesitated but eventually couldn't resist waking her up.

Natalia blinked open her eyes, murmuring softly, "You're back?" Hamilton's kiss landed on the corner of her lips.

"I haven't been taking much care of you these days; how did you end up this tired?" For sreason, Natalia had been feeling unusually sleepy lately.

When she was busy, it wasn't so bad, but now that things had slowed down, she found herself dozing off after every meal.

Natalia wrapped her arms around his neck. "Maybe I'm just unwinding from being so busy. I'll probably feel better after a couple of days of rest. Have you eaten? I can make something for you." Hamilton, however, wrapped his arms around her waist, his teeth grazing her collarbone.

"I've got something else in mind that I'd rather eat." As he spoke, his hand slipped under the covers.

His other hand took hers, guiding her to unbutton his shirt, one button at a time.

The man's broad chest and firm abs showcased his allure.

Despite their countless nights together, Natalia was still sent into turmoil by this man.

She met his gaze and leaned in for a kiss.

Hamilton instantly lost control.

The heat between them lasted well into the night.

Natalia ended up going to Westley's birthday celebration.

Not for any particular reason other than that early in the morning, Westley had someone invite her personally. Though Hamilton was visibly upset, he eventually agreed.

If the old man wanted to bring things into the open, Hamilton was not opposed to making a statement in public! The dress Hamilton chose was elegant.

An off-the-shoulder design with a side cutout.

Simple yet sophisticated, and undeniably sexy.

Hamilton couldn't help but smile.

"What am I going to do? I don't want to let you out of my sight." Natalia forced a smile. "Stop it." Hamilton kissed her gently on the lips.

"Don't worry, I won't let anyone mistreat you." Natalia looked at him and finally nodded with a smile.

The Fowler Mansion was grand and imposing.

As the car stopped at the front gate, Hamilton, arm in arm with Natalia, stepped out.

Immediately, they becthe center of attention.

Hamilton, known to the public as a bachelor, had evidently surprised everyone by bringing a woman to the party.

With Natalia by his side, Hamilton walked into the banquet hall without a glance at anyone else.

"Bro, sister-in-law!" As soon as they entered, Alden called out.

That term "sister-in-law" caught everyone off guard, leaving them in a daze.

But Hamilton simply nodded, calmly acknowledging Alden's greeting.

This gesture was an unmistakable confirmation to everyone that Alden was right.

The room filled with stunned silence as people exchanged looks, their eyes filled with shock. Tonight's party, ostensibly for Westley's birthday, was understood by all as a ruse.

It was, in reality, an occasion Westley had set up for Hamilton-a celebration of his engagement.

And the woman Hamilton was engaged to? She hailed from the prestigious Powell family of Boria City.

But now, Hamilton had the audacity to bring another woman home. And Alden, NalPpeople, was calling her Ater-in-law! What on Earth was going on? "Sister-in-law, you finally made it," Alden greeted them with a smile.

Natalia chuckled softly, "Thank you, Alden." She was well aware that tonight's invitation from Westley was nothing short of a lion's den.

But Alden's call of 'sister-in-law' had given her a significant boost of courage.

het

Even if it was a lion's den, she was Hamilton's legitimate girlfriend, at stood by least for the moment. S Hamilton's side, proud and unashamed.

Hamilton introduced her to all the guests they encountered, making his stance crystal clear. Natalia's smile En never wavered. "Hamilton, who might this be?" an elder from one of the families finally asked, unable to contain his Hamilton grinned, "Can't you tell? This is my girlfriend." The moment he said that, the hall fell silent.

But the silence was quickly replaced by murmurs.

The Powell family.

Delilah.

Words like 'engagement' kept reaching Natalia's ears.

Natalia's smile tightened.

Hamilton squeezed her hand.

"Girlfriend, what's on your mind?" Before Natalia could respond, Westley emerged with Delilah by his side.