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.

was his

you want?"

held

break up

a pause, he added,

thought,

seemed to have

you ever have feelings for me?

sting

fought the surge of pain welling

"Never."

dryly,

go back to

meaningless questions he'd asked in the dead

didn't press for

in her room, she thought for a

still there, the flickering glow of his cigarette the only light in the dark

hear about Eveleen's suicide attempt

she headed

entrance, she bumped into

"Rough night?" she asked.

his tone reluctant. "Ms. Jenkins, I'm sorry,

Natalia was puzzled.

"What do you mean?"

a moment's silence, Alden delivered the news. "Eveleen tried to take her own

tightened, unsure of

she asked, "Oh,

The question sounded callous.

it was the only thing she really

"It's a pity, she didn't

laugh, then calmly

looked at

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

was giving

back, he'd keep

couldn't blame him for

her answer before he even

her response; he was

end, he couldn't

regret her answer from

what, she didn't want to be

get involved, even with Caspian's support, Eveleen was likely safe from

only thing

her to

was Eveleen's

Not hers.

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

paused, "But, it's none of

go to my brother, he'd give in. Right now,

always seen