Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart

Chapter 170

Lucinda was in the midst of a full-blown meltdown, tears streaming down her face like a broken faucet.

Victor couldn't stand idly by any longer.

Rushing over, he helped Lucinda to her feet.

"Mrs. Schafer, please, don't panic. Hamilton didn't say he wouldn't help Eveleen."

Hamilton squinted, a storm brewing in his eyes, but he refrained from speaking.

Eveleen emerged from the emergency room well past midnight.

Only then did everyone disperse, reassured she was okay.

Alden, standing by Hamilton's side, his expression grave, asked, "Hamilton, you're not getting involved with her again, are you?"

Hamilton stared at the woman on the hospital bed, her face pale as death, his eyes a deep well of icy darkness.

It felt like an eternity before he snapped back to reality and left the hospital.

Natalia was deep in slumber when Scarlett burst into the room in a frenzy. Blearily opening her eyes, Natalia mumbled, "What's up?"

Scarlett frowned and handed her phone over, mouthing two words silently. "That jerk."

Natalia's brow furrowed as she recognized Hamilton's number on the screen.

"Hamilton, are you out of your mind? Calling at this godforsaken hour?"

Hamilton's voice came through, terse. "Come downstairs, just need to ask you something."

Then, he hung up.

Natalia stared at the disconnected call, her frown deepening.

"What's with him? Hamilton sounded off."

Shaking her head, Natalia had no clue.

But she wasn't about to indulge him.

Telling Scarlett to head back, she lay down, intent on catching some Z's.

But rest proved elusive; she tossed and turned, unable to find sleep.

Outside, the pop and crackle of Christmas Eve fireworks filled the air.

After half an hour of restlessness, she got up, threw on a down jacket, and stepped out onto the balcony. Below, Hamilton stood in the falling snow, his shoulders dusted white. Hesitating for a moment, Natalia turned and made her way downstairs.

Hamilton looked up as she approached, and suddenly, the weight of Eveleen's troubles seemed to lift.

He forgot about her suicide attempt and their shared past.

If Natalia simply said she was willing, he'd let it all go.

A cold laugh escaped Hamilton's lips, but he knew deep down he couldn't abandon Eveleen.

Because she was Evi.

Anyone could replace Natalia.

Evi was his one and

you want?" Natalia's voice

held

break

a pause, he added, "Think before

hesitation or thought, Natalia

to have anticipated her

eyes, cold and hard, bore into hers. "Did you ever have feelings

sour sting touched Natalia's

surge of pain welling

"Never."

dryly,

go back to

by the two meaningless questions he'd asked in the dead of

she didn't press for

thought for a moment before stepping out onto the balcony

the flickering glow of his cigarette the only light in the dark until it finally

hear about Eveleen's suicide attempt until the

she headed to the office to finish some handover

she bumped

"Rough night?" she asked.

reluctant. "Ms. Jenkins, I'm sorry, but this situation is going to be tough

Natalia was puzzled.

"What do you mean?"

the news. "Eveleen tried to take

lips tightened, unsure

asked, "Oh, did

The question sounded callous.

the only thing she really

head, "It's a

then calmly nodded, "That is a

looked at

my brother was actually ready to let Eveleen go. But she's forcing his hand, and he can't ignore their

was giving her

turn back, he'd keep his promise

couldn't blame him for continuing to protect Eveleen. Natalia

her answer before he even

wasn't there for her response; he was

end, he couldn't let

didn't regret her answer from

she didn't want to be sucked

Hamilton decided to get involved, even with Caspian's

was the only

her to

end, it was Eveleen's life

Not hers.

scoffed, "Alden, it's not about whether Eveleen forced Hamilton or not. It's that

paused, "But, it's none of my business

genuinely distressed, "Natalia, you know better than anyone that if you just go to my brother, he'd give in. Right now, you matter more to him than

had always seen