Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart

Chapter 168

Ryan was momentarily stunned before his face was painted with sheer shock.

Despite suspecting it was a ruse, a way to get a rise out of Hamilton, Ryan couldn't help the thrill of joy that snuck into his heart.

"Of course, I'd love nothing more," he said, his voice laced with sincerity.

Natalia's nod came with a smile so genuine it reached her eyes, lighting them up with happiness.

Hamilton, witnessing the scene, felt a hot prickle in his eyes.

He stepped forward, grasping Natalia's wrist. "Natalia! What are you saying?"

Ryan moved to swipe Hamilton's hand away. "Mr. Fowler, please let go of my girlfriend!"

But Hamilton was relentless, his grip unwavering as his world narrowed to a single, crushing reality.

Natalia and Ryan, a couple.

Natalia was asking Ryan to be her man.

She was supposed to be his, solely his.

And now, she was dating someone else.

Her name would be linked with another man's!

"You're doing this on purpose, aren't you? Just to get at me!" he spat out, fuming over his previous threats concerning Eveleen and his failure to inform Natalia about Eveleen's involvement in the kidnapping case.

"I won't interfere with Eveleen anymore, I've made that clear to her today. Send her to jail if that's what you want, I won't lift a finger. Let's start over, Natalia."

Natalia winced under his grip.

She struggled but couldn't break free.

"Hamilton, I never joke about matters of the heart."

Today, she had spoken these words under such circumstances.

She truly wanted to use this opportunity to make Hamilton give up on her.

But being with Ryan, that was a choice she had made after much thought.

She wanted a fresh start.

She was tired of the tangled web with Hamilton.

She was trying to let go and to begin anew.

to choose someone to be with, truly be with, she

fit of madness, yanked Natalia

for you, how can you do this

was a

not is your

did it all for you. Natalia,

his arms, as if

Ryan wasn't having any

young age, Ryan had been taught to be

in a stalemate until Natalia

his temper. Even when dealing with Hamilton, he had always been the epitome of

his face was set in

girlfriend again, and you'll have

took Natalia's hand and they headed

mocking laughter followed

Let me tell you, Natalia

Natalia did, just for a moment,

tugged her hand, urging her on. "Come on, I'm

a deep breath, Natalia followed Ryan

figures disappear, feeling as if his

Was Natalia truly gone?

actually left with

quickly reddened with the sting

didn't

the elevator, Ryan let go of

aback, fearing

opened her mouth to apologize but was cut off

get back at him, and I still wish it were true. Even if it's not, I'm still happy. At least you chose

"I'm not using you as

Ryan froze.

never take matters of the heart lightly. I can't be sure we'll last forever, but since we've started this, I'll put my all into our relationship." Ryan stared at her in

The girl he'd adored for years was now

smiled, teasing, "Do you

Ryan burst out laughing.

what I

they

Ryan, paused before winking

Ryan,"

"Ryan, this is Scarlett."

eyes, for reasons unknown,

these years, Natalia had finally decided to let

for the best, Scarlett thought. This was

that jerk,

Eve, how about we go out and set