Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart

Chapter 168 Ryan was momentarily stunned before his face was painted with sheer shock.

Despite suspecting it was a ruse, a way to get a rise out of Hamilton, Ryan couldn't help the thrill of joy that snuck into his heart.

"Of course, I'd love nothing more," he said, his voice laced with sincerity.

Natalia's nod cwith a smile so genuine it reached her eyes, lighting them up with happiness.

Hamilton, witnessing the scene, felt a hot prickle in his eyes.

He stepped forward, grasping Natalia's wrist. "Natalia! What are you saying?" Ryan moved to swipe Hamilton's hand away. "Mr. Fowler, please let go of my girlfriend!" But Hamilton was relentless, his grip unwavering as his world narrowed to a single, crushing reality.

Natalia and Ryan, a couple.

Natalia was asking Ryan to be her man.

She was supposed to be his, solely his.

And now, she was dating someone else.

Her nwould be linked with another man's! "You're doing this on purpose, aren't you? Just to get at me!" he spat out, fuming over his previous threats concerning Eveleen and his failure to inform Natalia about Eveleen's involvement in the kidnapping case.

"I won't interfere with Eveleen anymore, I've made that clear to her today. Send her to jail if that's what you want, I won't lift a finger. Let's start over, Natalia." Natalia winced under his grip.

She struggled but couldn't break free.

"Hamilton, I never joke about matters of the heart." Today, she had spoken these words under such circumstances.

She truly wanted to use this opportunity to make Hamilton give up on her.

But being with Ryan, that was a choice she had made after much thought.

She wanted a fresh start.

She was tired of the tangled web with Hamilton.

She was trying to let go and to begin anew.

If she had to choose someone to be with, truly be with, she wanted it to be Ryan.

Hamilton, in a fit of madness, yanked Natalia into his embrace.

"Natalia, I've given up on Eveleen for you, how can you do this to me?" Her face was a mask of icy detachment.

"Whether you deal with Eveleen or not is your business, it has nothing to do with me!" "It does! I did it all for you. Natalia, you owe me!" His eyes, red and wild, held her tightly in his arms, as if releasing her would mean losing her forever.

But Ryan wasn't having any of it.

Raised by an old soldier, Corbin, from a young age, Ryan had been taught to be strong.

The two men were locked in a stalemate until Natalia took the chance to slip away.

Ryan rarely showed his temper. Even when dealing with Hamilton, he had always been the epitof politeness.

But now, his face was set in a frosty scowl.

"Hamilton, touch my girlfriend again, and you'll haveto answer to." With that, he took Natalia's hand and they headed for the stairwell.

Hamilton's mocking laughter followed them.

"Ryan, you think I'm afraid of you? Lettell you, Natalia is my woman, and no one can take her from me." Ryan didn't pause, but Natalia did, just for a moment, and he felt it.

He tugged her hand, urging her on. "Con, I'm starving." Taking a deep breath, Natalia followed Ryan into the elevator.

Hamilton watched their figures disappear, feeling as if his heart was being shredded.

Was Natalia truly gone? Had she actually left with Ryan? His eyes quickly reddened with the sting of loss.

She really didn't want him anymore? Once inside the elevator, Ryan let go of Natalia's hand.

She was taken aback, fearing he was upset.

She opened her mouth to apologize but was cut off by Ryan's voice.

"I know you're just trying to get back at him, and I still wish it were true. Even if it's not, I'm still happy. At least you choseto be your shield." Natalia chuckled, "I'm not using you as a shield." Ryan froze.

Looking up at him, Natalia affirmed, "Ryan, I'm serious. I never take matters of the heart lightly. I can't be sure we'll last forever, but since we've started this, I'll put my all into our relationship." Ryan stared at her in awe.

Was this real? The girl he'd adored for years was now his girlfriend? Natalia smiled, teasing, "Do you need to pinch yourself?" Ryan burst out laughing.

"That's exactly what I was thinking." Chatting and laughing, they entered their home.

Scarlett, catching sight of Ryan, paused before winking at Natalia.

"My boyfriend, Ryan," Natalia introduced.

"Ryan, this is Scarlett." Scarlett's eyes, for reasons unknown, welled up at the introduction.

After all these years, Natalia had finally decided to let go.

It was for the best, Scarlett thought. This was good.

Hamilton, that jerk, didn't deserve Natalia.

With a mischievous grin, Scarlett suggested, "Today's Christmas Eve, how about we go out and set off sfireworks?" Natalia hesitated, wondering if Hamilton had left. If he hadn't, there would undoubtedly be more .

Ryan seemed to guess her thoughts.

"I've got a flight back to Boria City early tomorrow, so let's skip them fireworks tonight. We can save them for New Year's Eve."

Scarlett's grin widened. "Sure, I'll be heading hfor the holidays by then You two/can do whatever you like." Natalia was caught off guard by Scarlett's sudden boldness, a flush creeping onto her cheeks.

Ryan, ever the gentleman, thanked Scarlett graciously.

Natalia followed suit, and the mood on the upper floor was warm and congenial.

Meanwhile, Hamilton stood alone in the cold wind downstairs, his heart in turmoil.

By now, even the thought of lighting up a cigarette couldn't appeal to him.

From the get-go, he'd figured Natalia was just throwing a fit.

Maybe it was serious, and that was why the tantrum was lasting longer than usual.

But sooner or later, he was sure she would cback to him.

Only now, she was dating another guy.

And not just any guy-a bona fide boyfriend.

He couldn't quite pinpoint how he felt.

It was pain, a numbing kind of agony.

Three years with Natalia and he was never recognized as her boyfriend.

How did this Ryan guy manage to get it so easily! The skies had begun to scatter snowflakes at spoint.

Hamilton's whole body felt frozen stiff.

Yet he was stubbornly rooted to the spot.

He stood there, gazing up at the windows of the Scarlett residence.

Dinner was over.

Ryan had volunteered to tackle the dishes.

Natalia, feeling it wasn't right to leave him to it alone, joined him in the kitchen.

One washed, the other rinsed.

They stood there, the picture of shared joy, and this very scene m pierced Hamilton's heart as if every vital organ was in throes of pain.