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.

his one and

want?"

held

you break up with

pause, he added, "Think

hesitation or thought, Natalia

to have anticipated

hard, bore into hers. "Did you ever have feelings for me? Even just

sting

fought the surge of pain welling up

"Never."

dryly,

go back

by the two meaningless questions he'd asked in

she didn't press for

she thought for a moment before stepping out onto the

of his cigarette the only light in the

didn't hear about Eveleen's suicide

at the airport early that morning, she headed to the office to

bumped

"Rough night?" she asked.

reluctant. "Ms. Jenkins, I'm sorry, but this situation

Natalia was puzzled.

"What do you mean?"

moment's silence, Alden delivered the news. "Eveleen

tightened, unsure of what to

asked, "Oh,

The question sounded callous.

only thing she really

head, "It's

out a hollow laugh, then calmly nodded, "That

looked at her,

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

was giving her

she was willing to turn back, he'd keep his promise and

him for continuing to

known her answer before he

for her response; he was there

he couldn't let go

her answer from

she didn't want to be sucked

even

was the only thing that

infuriated her to

it was Eveleen's life Hamilton

Not hers.

forced Hamilton or not. It's

"But, it's none of my business

if you just go to my brother, he'd give in. Right now, you matter more

seen