Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart

Chapter 135

Hamilton knew, deep down, that saying sorry was useless right now, but that seemed to be all he could offer.

Eveleen had been his saving grace. No one knew the ordeals he had faced when he arrived at that quaint fishing town–how he had brushed with death more than once. The first few times at the hands of his mother, and then later, by his own hand.

It was only in that serene hamlet by the sea that a flicker of desire to live sparked within him.

Though the details of his past had blurred through therapy, the name “Evi” was etched in his mind like a sacred incantation.

She was his redemption.

In such a state, he couldn’t just abandon Eveleen. Yet he hadn’t anticipated dragging Natalia into such peril.

Hamilton gripped Natalia’s hand, his gaze falling upon her pale, fragile face, feeling a weight in his chest that made it hard to breathe.

Every time he blinked, he saw her lifeless body sprawled on the jagged rocks.

He closed his eyes briefly, and when he reopened them, they were drained of emotion. His long fingers traced the wet trail on her cheek.

In a hushed voice, he said, “Natalia, don’t be scared. I’m here.”

It took a while, but Natalia finally calmed down.

Hamilton fetched a warm towel and gently wiped her face. His movements halted as he dabbed her hands; the wounds were still there, even if the dislocated wrist had been attached.

Carefully avoiding the cuts, he finished and tucked her hand beneath the blanket before standing up and stepping outside.

Alden was waiting at the door.

“Did you find Orpheus?” Hamilton asked, his voice low.

Alden shook his head. “He’s hiding out somewhere, the bold bastard. To think he’d abduct Ms. Jenkins in broad daylight! If it weren’t for Ryan and Dawson, Ms. Jenkins might’ve been out of luck.”

Hamilton let out a bitter laugh. “If they hadn’t intervened, Natalia wouldn’t have been in danger.” Alden paused, considering Hamilton’s implication.

Without Ryan and Dawson’s presence, Orpheus would have had to contact Hamilton, who would have surely found a way to keep Natalia safe.

1/4

07:05

Chapter 135

knew the situation would push a desperate

from Alden and lit it before replying, “That’s why I’m not holding a grudge

seemed lost for

steely resolve crossed Hamilton’s eyes. “Keep looking. Bring him to me when you find him.”

broached another subject. “Bro, can you and

might have reached a point of no return.

evident. “Why

let go, she couldn’t leave. And he had no intention of

away.

“Bro, you never really liked Eveleen, did you? It’s always been Ms. Jenkins. Otherwise, you

when Ryan had carried Natalia away was something Alden had

a simple embrace. If there were no feelings involved,

brother’s eyes–the kind of panic that comes from fearing the

drag on his cigarette and, without answering, simply stated, “Alden, I won’t get

out his cigarette, he turned back into the hospital room.

come by a few times, initially intending to talk to Hamilton, but he eventually felt it wasn’t his place to meddle

Natalia still unconscious, any conversation with Hamilton

let it be.

if Natalia asked once

for a full day and night before regaining

was still somewhat disoriented. But before she could collect her

so much within her, now left her unmoved.

2/4

07:05

Chapter 135

murmured

pain? I’ll call the

Natalia realize that Hamilton had been holding her hand.

you still need to recover from the lung infection and bruising.

you,” Natalia responded politely.

the doctor left, Hamilton returned to her bedside, instinctively reaching for her hand

again.

grasped at air.

withdrawn

understood her anger was justified and simply asked, “Does

a long

But she didn’t want to share that with him anymore. Her suffering, her discomfort would all be irrelevant to him from