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

do you want?" Natalia's voice

held

you break up with

a pause, he added, "Think before

or thought, Natalia retorted,

to have

you ever have

sting

surge of pain

"Never."

dryly, then

back to

him, puzzled by the two meaningless

didn't press for

thought for a moment before

of his cigarette the only light in

Eveleen's suicide

morning, she headed to

entrance, she bumped into a

"Rough night?" she asked.

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

Natalia was puzzled.

"What do you mean?"

Alden delivered the news. "Eveleen tried to take

unsure of what to

"Oh,

The question sounded callous.

it was the only thing she really wanted to

"It's a pity, she didn't

laugh, then calmly nodded, "That

at

Eveleen go. But she's forcing his hand, and he can't ignore their past. He couldn't just watch her die." Suddenly, Natalia understood the meaning

he was giving her

back, he'd keep his promise and let Eveleen

if she refused, she couldn't blame him for continuing

have known her answer before

for her response; he was there to make

end, he couldn't

didn't regret her

she didn't want to be sucked back into

to get involved, even with Caspian's

was the only thing

infuriated her to the

was Eveleen's life Hamilton couldn't

Not hers.

forced Hamilton

none of my business

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

always seen Natalia as