Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart

Chapter 289 Indeed, the contents of the bag were just as Debby had described.

A key, a notebook, and a box.

Natalia picked up the key, her eyes widening slightly in surprise-it was for a safety deposit box at a bank.

The notebook was Tatiana's diary.

And then there was the box.

Upon opening it, Natalia's heart skipped a beat.

It contained her rose quartz necklace-the very one she had smashed to pieces in a fit of rage at Graham. Somehow, unbeknownst to her, Tatiana had painstakingly started to piece together the shattered remnants. She had only managed to reassemble half of it; numerous fragments still lay scattered inside the box.

Tears began to overflow as Natalia struggled to control her emotions.

She had never expected Tatiana to undertake such a task in secret.

Her mother.

Her mother had lived her life solely for her.

Tatiana had braved the world alone just to give birth to her, and later endured Graham's abuse to protect her.

It seemed everything she did, she did for Natalia.

Overwhelmed, Natalia broke down sobbing.

Hamilton, slightly panicked, pulled her into his embrace.

"What's wrong? Did your mom leave something for you?" But Natalia could only cry.

It took a long while for her to calm down, with Hamilton holding her, his heart softening.

He gently patted her back, comforting her.

Wiping away her tears, Natalia thanked Hamilton-a courtesy that seemed distant and formal. That feeling instantly reminded Hamilton of the times Natalia had kept him at arm's length. He squeezed her waist.

"All this snot and tears on my shirt, and you think a simple 'thank you' will do?" Natalia pushed him away, attempting to return to her seat, but Hamilton wasn't ready to let go. "Just lethold you a little longer." He was addicted to this feeling.

It was only when Natalia was crying in his arms that he felt a momentary sense of fulfillment. Now, he feared that letting her go would revert them back to their previous emotional distance.

Natalia, however, didn't indulge him and pushed him away.

She stared blankly at the broken crystal pieces in the box.

Hamilton glanced at the box, puzzled by the half-finished necklace and its scattered fragments. "What's this?" "A necklace," Natalia murmured softly, turning to look at Hamilton. "Do you remember it?" Hamilton paused, "Remember what?" A pang of sadness hit Natalia.

"Never mind, let's go home." Hamilton, holding her chin gently, suggested, "How about we get something to eat first?" Packing up, Natalia replied without enthusiasm, "No thanks, I'm not hungry." But Hamilton started the car and drove straight to a diner's parking lot.

Upon stopping, he quickly got out and opened the car door for Natalia.

She frowned, really not in the mood to eat.

Hamilton offered with a smile, "Should I carry you?" "I really don't want to eat." Ignoring her protests, Hamilton carried her inside.

Natalia immediately struggled.

"I can walk by myself!" Hamilton, however, refused to put her down.

The diner was bustling with people, all of whom turned to look at them.

"Hamilton!" Natalia exclaimed, desperate.

He simply whispered in her ear, "What's wrong with carrying the mother of my child?" Natalia frowned, about to resist, when they were interrupted.

"Mr. Fowler." Turning, she saw Lucinda and Giselle Lynd standing at the entrance.

Lucinda's face turned pale, her eyes flickering with malice upon seeing Hamilton holding Natalia.

Giselle also looked displeased.

She hadn't expected Eveleen to die so suddenly.

The Lynd family had been counting on Eveleen to connect with the Fowler family.

Yet, to their shock, she had passed away quietly.

And what astounded her even more was Hamilton's coldness.

At the funeral, both the Schafer and Lynd families demanded Hamilton investigate Eveleen's death.

She thought, at the very least, he owed Eveleen a clear explanation of her death.

But Hamilton had only coldly stated, "She had it coming a long tago." Giselle scoffed to herself.

Men truly were the coldest creatures on earth.

When they loved you, you were everything.

When they didn't, you were nothing.

Still, seeing Natalia in Hamilton's arms, she couldn't help but feel a burning jealousy.

Natalia had once been the reason her boyfriend left her, and now, Eveleen's man had becNatalia's.

This woman, truly, was a homewrecker in flesh and blood.

Natalia's mood darkened at the sight of them.

She struggled to get down from Hamilton's embrace, but he refused to let her go.

Lucinda's complexion grew even paler.

Her daughter had just died, and here was Hamilton, flaunting this woman around.

"Mr. Fowler, will you join us for Eveleen's memorial service?" Lucinda implored. Hamilton's gaze darkened.

Looking at Lucinda, he replied, "Mrs.

in at Natalia, then back T I've made myself Schafer, done all I could for Eveleen, With that, he continued inside with Natalila in his arms, leaving Lucinda trailing behind.

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"Mr. Fowler, just hope you can pay your respects to Eveleen.

She was with you for so long, please don't be so heartless," Lucinda pleaded, tears in her eyes as she looked at Natalia. IMS

"Look, Ms. Jenkins, all I'm asking is for Mr. Fowler to make a quick visit, no offense, okay?" Natalia shrugged off Hamilton's grip and turned to walk inside.

"Offended? Honey, I wouldn't bat an eyelid if you sent him to be Eveleen's pallbearer!" Tears instantly welled up in Lucinda's eyes.

"I'm so sorry, Ms. Jenkins, I—" Before she could finish, Natalia spun around and slapped her across the face.

"Get lost, and if you want to chase after Hamilton, be my guest, but stay out of my sight!" With that, Natalia glanced at Hamilton and stormed into the private room.

Hamilton was seething inside, though he tried not to show it his gaze bn Lucinda beavy and cold. "Mrs. Schafer, did you not understand what was said?" The slap from Natalia had left Lucinda looking even more distraught.

She tried to speak to Hamilton, but he had already turned away, leaving her standing there, her nails digging into her palms in frusu You When Hamilton entered the private room, he found Natalia with a stormy expression.

He couldn't help but sneer, "Generous, aren't you?" Natalia looked up, her expression darkening further.

"Hamilton, you're free to go." With that, she stood up and headed to the en suite bathroom.

Hamilton's gaze darkened slightly.

Seeing Lucinda just now had reminded him of something Caspian had mentioned before.

He had never doubted it because Eveleen had been very clear about his situation.

But now...

He felt a sudden unease.

He picked up his phone and sent a message.

"Look into Eveleen's childhood for me."