Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart

Chapter 44

The cries had persisted in the room without pause.

Hamilton stood by the doorway, his posture unchanged throughout the ordeal.

It was only when the weeping inside finally ceased that he glanced down at the cigarette in his hand. He tossed the crumpled stick into the trash and pulled out a fresh one, heading towards the smoking area.

Scarlett came by after her shift ended.

Natalia lay alone on the hospital bed, the remnants of tears still glistening at the corners of her eyes.

Scarlett mustered a forced smile. “You know, maybe it’s for the best. If you had to care for your mom and a baby all by yourself, it would’ve been too much.”

Natalia seemed to summon every ounce of strength not to cry. She nodded slightly and said, “Yeah, I know.”

How could she not be aware of her own situation? Maybe losing the baby was a blessing in disguise. Otherwise, the child would have just shared in her hardships.

Yet, her heart was still irrepressibly aching.

Seeing Natalia like this, Scarlett quickly changed the subject, “Hungry? Want me to grab you something to eat?”

Natalia shook her head. “I’m not hungry. How long do I need to stay in the hospital?”

“Just overnight for observation. If all feels well, you can be discharged in the morning. How about staying at my place after? I can take care of you during your recovery.”

“Sure.”

Natalia wasn’t in the mood for comforting words, and thankfully, Scarlett didn’t offer any. Scarlett tucked the blankets around her. “How did this happen so suddenly? Weren’t you fine when you called earlier?” Scarlett asked, her voice tinged with emotion.

Even she was struggling to come to terms with the sudden loss of the child, let alone Natalia.

Natalia stared at the ceiling. After a long silence, she murmured, “I was pushed down the stairs and fell.”

Scarlett stared blankly and asked, “Pushed? By who? I thought maybe it was Hamilton…” She paused, biting her lip.

Natalia shook her head, a bitter taste in her mouth. “It wasn’t him.” She thought of the fan’s father who was responsible and felt unsure whom to blame.

“Let’s not talk about this anymore.” When Scarlett saw Natalia’s reaction, she swiftly shifted

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the conversation.

the door opened. Hamilton entered,

stood up promptly and said to Natalia, “Til head out.

Natalia nodded.

wanting to say something, but ultimately, she left without word.

a wet wipe.

it myself,” Natalia said,

she had been with Hamilton, he had never tended to

but his hands continued

a miscarriage. I’m

“And then what? Let your friend call me a jerk again? Have her publicly tell me

despite the smile, anger clearly etched on his

Scarlett had gone to such lengths. “She’s

fingers tightened around her

tolerated your friend’s insults only for your sake, but it won’t happen again.”

moment and then said, “I’ll clarify things with Scarlett about

to confront Hamilton only out of deep concern for Natalia, but the nature of her relationship with Hamilton

a clear agreement. The contract was explicit: no children. The child was

his forbearance of such insults must have been out

cleaning her hands, Hamilton served a bowl of chicken soup from the

weakness, Natalia fumbled with the bowl, which Hamilton swiftly caught, his

Chapter 44

hold a bowl steady?” he teased, raising an eyebrow.

manage on my own.” Natalia reached for the bowl again, but Hamilton didn’t let go. He sat beside her, his gaze

averted her eyes. After a heavy silence, she hesitated before speaking. “Keeping the baby was my choice, and I don’t blame anyone for not being able to protect it. So, you don’t need to

wiped his hands. His face was stern as he

in

skipped a beat.

my responsibility. Taking care of you is my way of making amends for my negligence. I’m sorry for the miscarriage and

the bowl

clogging her chest. What she had wanted was never his apology. But it didn’t matter anymore.

back the sourness in her eyes and opened her mouth to take in the spoonful

soup.