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

sentences later, his cell phone rang. “Excuse me,” he said, standing

Hamilton grabbed her chin,

Jenkins, your man is here.”

Fowler, do

eyes, replying simply. “No

Whether or

where she belonged. No need for a fancy

didn’t press

that. It’s a bit of a situation with Bianca. I need to head out.” He smiled at Natalia. “I

smile with a nod.

smile, Caspian felt a

His memories of his sister were

she vanished. Yet, their images overlapped

wryly

be his imagination.

knowing there was no real connection to Natalia, he couldn’t help but treat

you ever need help with anything, don’t

arm was around her waist. “We

own, thank you.”

possessive posture with a wry smile, yet he left his phone number

touch anytime, regardless of

note of Caspian’s number.

gaze grew heavy, but

2/4

11:11

Chapter 101

didn’t like coffee, so his cup held only

not leaving?” Natalia

“What, should we leave

told her his mood had soured, likely because she had kept Caspian’s number. But she

you’d rather stay, we can linger a

before asking. “Do you go for

pressed her lips, looking away to the world outside the

and a familiar melody drifted in the air. Christmas was around the corner. And with it,

back, eyes downcast. “No, Mr. Spiegel

then, Ms. Jenkins? The kind you’ve been pining

from her, paused, and then said, “I prefer someone who likes

care for her had taken up enough of her heart. If she were to choose again, she thought, perhaps she would pick

kind of answer is that? You like anyone

faint smile. “No, but I would choose from those who do and try to

maybe trying to like someone should be easier than