Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart

Chapter

Natalia forced a silent but bitter smile. The guy was a real bastard, but she knew he’d never be

without an heir.

With all the women in his orbit, could any of them fail to give him a child?–

Scarlett cursed under her breath, feeling a bit better after letting off some steam, and then got down to business.

“So, you don’t want this baby, right? Should I just go ahead and schedule the operation after your check–up tomorrow?”

Natalia caressed her belly, swallowing the pain in her heart, and replied softly, “Yes.”

As her voice faded, a tear rolled down from the corner of her eye. In the end, she was the one who should apologize this child. But without a legitimate claim, she had nothing to offer her baby, and how could she dare keep it? She was just an ordinary woman from an ordinary family. She couldn’t let her child be marked as a bastard for life.

Hamilton would never give her a title. He wouldn’t give her any chance to tie him down.

Nor affection, love, family, or children.

He wouldn’t give any of it.

Natalia closed her eyes and wiped away her tears.

The night was quiet and long, and her sleep was restless. She seemed to have a dream.

In the dream, she was back in her childhood. As a child, she and her mother had been through tough times, and the longest they ever stayed in one place was a small fishing village by the riverbank.

It was there that Natalia first met Hamilton. As a child, Hamilton didn’t have his current brooding look. His features were so delicate that he seemed almost like a doll.

Later, Natalia learned that he had been there to recuperate from an ittness. Recovery must have been rough for him because he often sat by the riverbank alone, wiping away tears.

Every time Natalia saw him, she’d offer him a lollipop to cheer him up. He ignored her at first.

But later on, he would secretly perch on her garden wall and call her “Evi.”

Eventually, it seemed his health improved, and he was whisked away by a group of people. Before he left, he promised he would come find her. But Natalia never saw him again.

Their reunion ten years later was accidental.

On her seventeenth birthday, her half–sister claimed she’d lost a bracelet on the beach and asked Natalia to look for it. On the beach, Natalia recognized Hamilton at first glance.

At nineteen, the boy had shed his childishness but carried an air of melancholy. When she

spotted him, he was slowly walking into the cold, tumultuous sea.

Without a second thought, she ran and grabbed him.

The boy turned around, his eyes filled with a cold and ruthless edge that didn’t match his age

Natalia instinctively stepped back in fear..

He scoffed and walked back into the sea.

you coward!” Natalla yelled at him with all

Natalla’s slight figure was engulfed by the sea. She couldn’t remember what it felt like, only the terror of flailing and not being

waist. The waves. churned, and her body bobbed up and down. Through the haze, she

managed to drag her ashore amid

up to his cold face

you can’t even fend for yourself, it’s none of your business worrying about someone

turned

she cried out

up, the

eyes, she found her phone

It was Scarlett.

Don’t eat or drink

a sense of heaviness in

stay. Not

left the hotel. But she stopped short at the

wasn’t surprised Hamilton had found her.

far too easy

her was why he’d bother to look for her at all. After the clear–cut conversation last night, why come find her today? And she

found was fragile, and

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14:19

Chapter 4

But Hamilton had already stepped out

steps, his voice laced with barely

games?” Hamilton stopped in front of her, his

down on her.

Natalia didn’t meet his gaze.

serious about running off with Victor? When

because I want to, not because of anyone else.”

“Reason?”

up to meet his gaze. “I want to get married, Mr.

eyes narrowed. “Seriously?”

already

hand brushed her face, his eyes flashing dangerously.

someone in mind?”

for a

But whether I do or not,

Hamilton raised an eyebrow at

smile. Being with him for the money was always the most shameful secret she harbored, and yet he reminded her time

she managed a

Hamilton’s expression darkened.

to let me

if I’m not? Will you marry me, Mr. Fowler? Marry me and have kids with

he would just say ‘yes‘, even a distant, uncertain ‘yes‘,

demeanor clearly stating his answer. He stepped back, looking Natalia up and down.

always thought you were smart.”