Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart

Chapter 101

It was a bit out of left field, the question Caspian asked Natalia. After all, the two had only met for the third time, including today.

So, when he popped the question, Natalia was caught off guard for a moment.

Still, she managed to reply with polite curiosity, “May I ask which aspects of my mother you’re interested in, Mr. Spiegel?”

Caspian leaned in, his gaze earnest. “Your mother’s age, her occupation, and her last name if it’s not too much trouble. Could you share that with me?”

Mentioning her mother, Tatiana, always brought a sour twist to Natalia’s heart.

Truth be told, her mother was an extraordinary woman–beautiful, gentle in spirit, with a talent for both dance and the brush that was nothing short of remarkable.

But fate had been cruel, and life even more so. Tatiana never got the chance to shine, her talents buried beneath the weight of misfortunes. Worst of all, it was a man who had left her in the state she found herself in today.

Swallowing the lump of emotion in her throat, Natalia composed herself before speaking.

“Her last name is Joyner. She hasn’t been working since a car accident three years ago.”

She left it at that, not delving into further details. As for her mother’s age, it was a bit of a mystery even to Natalia.

Tatiana had lost her memory in those dark days, remembered nothing, and had no ID to speak

1. of.

All the identification she had now was provided by Patrick Schafer, well after the fact. So, the specifics of age and birthday were, to Natalia, unknown.

The spark in Caspian’s eyes seemed to dim the instant he heard the last name Joyner.

So, she was a Joyner. Then, she couldn’t be the one.

And yet, hearing about the accident, he couldn’t help but feel a pang of concern.

“Was the accident serious?” he couldn’t stop himself from asking.

Natalia nodded, forcing a brittle smile. “Quite serious. She hasn’t woken up since.”

Caspian frowned deeply, suddenly feeling a wave of compassion for the young woman in front of him, even if she probably had no connection to his sister.

“I’m sorry,” he murmured.

Natalia shook her head with a faint smile. She was used to it by now.

Out of politeness, Caspian didn’t press further but smoothly changed the subject.

11:10

Chapter 101

few sentences later, his cell phone rang. “Excuse

departure, Hamilton grabbed her chin, turning her face toward him.

your man

brief silence, she asked, “Mr. Fowler, do you have any

her eyes, replying simply. “No clue.”

preferred Natalia to stay clear of any entanglements with Caspian. Whether or not there was a connection between

was. Peaceful and quiet, right where she belonged. No need for a fancy family name or any

didn’t press

need to head out.” He smiled at Natalia. “I apologize for my boldness today. I’ll make it up

returned the smile with a nod.

felt a

memories of his sister were fading, but looking at Natalia, they seemed to

Natalia when she vanished. Yet, their

wryly to

must be

to Natalia, he couldn’t help but treat her like a

with anything, don’t hesitate

respond, Hamilton’s arm was around her waist.

own, thank you.”

wry smile, yet he left his phone

in touch anytime, regardless of him.”

made a note of Caspian’s

heavy, but he said

2/4

11:11

Chapter 101

only water. His fingers played with

leaving?” Natalia

flicked up. “What, should we leave

had soured, likely because she had kept Caspian’s number. But

stay, we can linger a little longer,”

“Do you go for

pressed her lips, looking away to the world outside

woman holding a bouquet, and a familiar melody drifted

eyes downcast. “No, Mr. Spiegel

chuckle escaped Hamilton. “What is your type then, Ms. Jenkins? The kind you’ve been pining after in

paused, and then said, “I prefer someone who

enough of her heart. If she were to choose again, she

eyes narrowed slightly. “What kind of answer is that?

but I would choose from those who do and try to learn to like them

thought to herself that maybe trying to like someone should be easier than trying not to.