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.

later, the door opened. Hamilton entered, carrying a

was palpable upon seeing him. She stood up promptly and said to Natalia, “Til head out. I’ll come

Natalia nodded.

a glance, wanting to say something, but ultimately, she left without

wet wipe. He gently took Natalia’s hand and began to clean it

myself,” Natalia said, feeling uneasy.

the three years she had been with Hamilton, he had never tended to her in such a manner. Now, his

but his hands

a miscarriage. I’m

friend call me a jerk again? Have

anger clearly

lips quivered, surprised that Scarlett had gone to such lengths. “She’s just straightforward. Mr. Fowler, please don’t take it personally.”

tightened around her

moment, he said, “Natalia, I’m not without temper. I’ve tolerated your friend’s insults only for your sake, but it won’t

said, “I’ll clarify things with Scarlett

Hamilton only out of deep concern for Natalia,

children. The child was an accident,

such insults must have been out of consideration for her recent

bowl of chicken soup from the thermos, helping Natalia to sit up before handing it to her.

Hamilton swiftly caught, his eyes holding a hint of

Chapter 44

steady?” he teased,

own.” Natalia reached for the bowl again, but

choice, and I don’t blame anyone for not being able to protect it. So, you don’t need to feel like you owe

set the bowl aside and wiped his hands. His face was

our deal has always been a fair transaction. I haven’t wronged you in

heart skipped

my way of making amends for my negligence. I’m sorry for the

finished and picked up the bowl of

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

opened her mouth to take

soup.